University Information Packet

2015-2016
University
Information
Packet
Contents
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
Global Brigades Overview
Where We Work
Health and Development Programs
University Chapters
A. Campus Chairperson Role
B. Starting a Chapter
C. Student Leader Resources
Booking Brigade Travel
Brigade Logistics
A. Transportation
B. Lodging
C. Communities
Student Safety
A. Security
B. Emergencies & Emergency Procedures
C. Insurance
University Indemnification Agreement
Contact Global Brigades
globalbrigades.org
Global Brigades Overview
Global Brigades is the world’s largest student-led global health and sustainable
development organization. Since 2004, Global Brigades has mobilized thousands
of university students and professionals through nine skill-based service programs
to improve quality of life in under-resourced communities through partner
organizations in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Brigades Def’n. Groups of passionate volunteers who mobilize toward positive
social change
Mission
To empower volunteers and under-resourced communities to resolve global
health and economic disparities and inspire all involved to collaboratively work
towards an equal world
Vision
To improve equality of life by igniting the largest student-led social responsibility
movement on the planet
Global Brigades works with rural communities in Honduras, Nicaragua and
Panama to address the major health and development needs in the region
through a holistic and sustainable approach.
Since 2004, Global Brigades has mobilized more than 47,000 volunteers to
support more than 500,000 community members in Central America.
globalbrigades.org
Where We Work
Honduras
Years in operation: 11
First brigade: Summer 2004
Headquarters: Tegucigalpa
Regional focus: El Paraíso, Francisco
Morazán, Valle
Number of target communities: 94
Expected annual numbers: 350
brigades, 6,000 volunteers
Countries involved: US, UK, Canada,
Ireland
Panama
Years in operation: 7
First brigade: January 2008
Headquarters: Panama City
Regional focus: Eastern region of
Panamá province
Number of target communities: 35
Expected annual numbers: 100
brigades, 2,400 volunteers
Countries involved: US, UK, Canada,
Ireland
Nicaragua
Years in operation: 4
First brigade: April 2011
Headquarters: Estelí
Regional focus: Estelí, Jinotega
Number of target communities: 43
Expected annual numbers: 70
brigades, 2,500 volunteers
Countries involved: US, UK, Canada,
Ireland, Germany
globalbrigades.org
Health and Development Programs
Business
MISSION: We empower rural communities in Panama and Honduras, without
access to financial services and business guidance, to become more
economically stable by providing micro-enterprise consulting, financial
planning assistance and strategic investment.
Business Brigade volunteers work with community bank loan officers to consult
potential borrowers on improving financial sustainability. Volunteers provide rural
communities with the educational, financial, and organizational resources
necessary to sustainably drive their own economic development. The business
brigade volunteers serve as a catalyst to loan borrowers, providing consulting
methodologies, financial workshops and donating a “capital investment” to the
community bank to back the loan. Between brigades our in-country team
maintains relationships with the community bank and borrowers to provide
follow-up and measure outcomes.
Dental
MISSION: We provide immediate, restorative, and preventative dental services
in rural communities without access to oral care otherwise. Our current focus is in
Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama.
Dental Brigade volunteers have the opportunity to shadow licensed dentists in
urgent and preventive dental services in communities with limited access to
healthcare. Dental Brigades also focuses on prevention with dental hygiene
workshops. Between brigades, the in-country team maintains relationships with
the communities to provide follow-up to ensure any dental procedures were
successful and to conduct community health worker trainings to empower local
leaders to perpetuate a consistent level of dental care. In conjunction with the
Medical Brigades program, over 80 groups of passionate volunteers
systematically travel to Central America to establish mobile dental clinics in over
80 of our community partners. Each of our community partners receives a
brigade every 3 to 4 months where hundreds of patients are treated with fillings,
cleanings and extractions, and are given dental hygiene workshops.
globalbrigades.org
Engineering
MISSION: We empower student volunteers to work with Honduran community
members to provide them with sustainable engineering solutions to their water
problems.
Engineering Brigade volunteers work with local engineers and technicians to
assess water problems in communities, select feasible solutions, plan and design
water projects, and provide technical follow-up on completed systems. The incountry team works with the Water Brigades team and Director of Community
Development to identify communities with varying levels of need; communities
that Engineering nor Water brigades have ever visited, communities identified as
being in need of a design, and communities with completed projects in need of
follow-up. Engineering Volunteers get a real world field experience working in
communities to provide technical support while learning to be a global
engineer in a new cultural context. Volunteers are faced with the challenge of
creating engineering solutions alongside community members while accounting
for budget restrictions, local materials, education level, and appropriate
technologies. When plans and designs are complete Engineering and Water
brigades move forward in the construction of water systems.
Environmental
MISSION: We empower rural communities in Panama to reverse degradation
and preserve their environment through sustainable agriculture, waste
management, and education programs.
Environmental Brigade volunteers work with Global Brigades staff and
community members to promote environmental sustainability through hands-on
learning. Volunteers participating in Environmental Brigades help construct,
maintain, and educate community members about the “Model Farm,” a
sustainable agriculture project using multiple components and projects to
combat the degradation of soil, promote environmental and financial
sustainability, and ensure food security. Through interactive sustainable
agriculture projects and educational workshops, volunteers provide the
education and physical assistance necessary for community members to sustain
long-term behavioral change that will benefit the well being of themselves and
their surrounding physical environment.
globalbrigades.org
Human Rights
MISSION: We empower rural communities in Panama to overcome the obstacles
that often impede the fundamental human right of access to justice through
legal counsel and educational workshops.
Law Brigade volunteers work with Panamanian lawyers to provide pro-bono
legal consulting. Volunteers provide services to remote communities using a free
legal clinic model, where volunteers shadow and assist lawyers as they provide
legal consulting to community members. Additionally, volunteers work alongside
Panamanian lawyers on select family law cases. Volunteers perform interviews
and intake procedures that are used by Human Rights staff to resolve the cases.
Volunteers will facilitate two education workshops that focus on explaining
complex issues such as gender vs sex, legal methodologies to prevent violence
and discrimination, why children stop pursuing education, and sexual rights in
Panama.
Medical
MISSION: We work with licensed medical professionals and community health
workers to provide comprehensive health services in rural communities with
limited access to health care. Our current focus is in Honduras, Nicaragua and
Panama.
Medical Brigade volunteers have the opportunity to shadow licensed doctors in
medical consultations and assist in a pharmacy under the direction of licensed
pharmacists. Each of our partner community receives a brigade every 3 to 4
months where hundreds of patients are treated and volunteers deliver public
health workshops. Between brigades our in-country team maintains relationships
with the communities to provide follow-up and to conduct Community Health
Worker (CHW) trainings to empower local leaders to sustain a consistent level of
healthcare. Electronic patient records are collected for future visitations and to
monitor overall community health trends.
Microfinance
MISSION: We provide rural community members a community banking system,
access to loans, financial literacy programs, and education to increase
production and foster a culture of savings and growth.
Microfinance Brigade volunteers work with community bank loan officers to
consult potential borrowers on improving financial sustainability. Volunteers help
globalbrigades.org
the under-resourced in remote villages build their own businesses, ensure against
emergencies, and fund community projects. By partnering with other
international organizations in microfinance, Microfinance Brigades provides the
financial backing and technical support to create and strengthen independent
community banks. As mechanisms for social and economic change, these
banks are then empowered to perpetuate other community projects facilitated
by GB.
Public Health
MISSION: We empower rural communities to prevent common illnesses through
in-home infrastructural development, community leader training, and health
education.
Public Health Brigade volunteers empower under-resourced communities in the
developing world to decrease life-threatening diseases by improving home
infrastructure and providing public health education. Working side-by-side with
community members, volunteers improve the overall infrastructure within the
home through the construction of five projects: eco-stoves, latrines, water
storage units, private shower stalls, and concrete floors. The five projects were
chosen based on observations of medical brigade patient records, which
illustrated high levels of respiratory, Chagas disease and other preventable
diseases caused by poor in-home health infrastructure.
Water
MISSION: We empower communities to access sufficient clean water through
infrastructural development, water treatment, community leader training, and
education.
Water Brigade volunteers assist in designing and implementing water systems to
prevent water related illnesses in communities with limited access to clean
water. In-country team members work with community leaders to design largescale water systems for the entire community. Once planning and design is
complete, volunteers work side-by-side with community members to construct
the water system. Additionally Water Brigades and its volunteers provide
education and training so that the community can properly administer, operate,
and maintain their water system. A Water Council and Basic Sanitation
Committee are established in communities to ensure the sustainability of the
community’s system as well as to improve sanitation and hygiene practices.
globalbrigades.org
University Chapters
Students interested in a specific program can start a campus chapter at any
undergraduate or graduate university where a GB entity has been established.
Currently, there are registered organizations in the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland,
and Germany. The chapter makes a commitment to go on at least one brigade
a year in conjunction with GB’s approved partners in Honduras, Nicaragua, and
Panama. Every GB program implements community-driven projects, which are
accomplished through student-led, one-two week brigades. In-country staff
members prepare and maintain the work of brigades by following a structured
community and project selection process, fostering strong community
relationships and administering proper training for community leaders.
Each chapter is a critical link in a systematic movement to deliver health and
development solutions in under-resourced communities and also plays a pivotal
role in the strategic direction of the organization. GB is a student-led
organization that was originally started by students and will always grow through
the continued input of student ideas and student volunteers. Each GB country
entity, such as GB USA, has an independent Board of Directors that call upon
student leaders and their ideas to improve programming and impact through
dialog with community members.
Campus Chairperson Role
In May 2011, GB began a new initiative in which GB Chapter Leaders have the
opportunity to elect a GB Campus Chairperson. The principal objective of
having a Campus Chairperson structure is to provide dedicated GB leaders with
an opportunity to take on a greater leadership role on their campuses and
within the national organization. On campus, this individual will act as a
designated leader to empower and assist all of the existing GB chapters,
ensuring they are strong, sustainable, and encouraging them to work together
and share the necessary tools to be successful in planning their brigades. On a
national level, Campus Chairpersons will have official voting rights (they must
meet guidelines to earn voting rights) to help drive the future decisions of GB
and maintain a student-led culture.
globalbrigades.org
Starting a Chapter
Global Brigades currently has over 600 chapters across all of the international
entities, which includes the US, Canada, UK, Germany, and Ireland. Starting a
university chapter through GB is a very simple process. The most important step is
obtaining official recognition from the university. During this process, GB staff is
always available to speak with the university to answer any questions. The
remainder of this packet has more information regarding operations in-country,
including accommodations, safety protocols, emergency procedures and
insurance provided. GB provides the students with resources and support
throughout the process of starting the chapter and preparing for the brigade.
Here are the 8 simple steps to starting the chapter and planning a
brigade:
Campus
Recognition
Form
Leadership
Team
Set Brigade
Dates
Fundraise
Book Travel
Recruit
Volunteers
ProgramSpecific
Prep
Brigade
Repeat!
globalbrigades.org
Student Leader Resources A student leader of a GB chapter will have two primary resources to support
and guide them throughout the process of starting a chapter and preparing for
a brigade. The first are the GB Advising and Program Associate Teams, made up
of past leaders living and working in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, who
serve as a liaison between students on campus and the staff and community
members in their respective countries. The advisors work full-time and remain in
constant contact with students and faculty members throughout the year. The
second
source
is
the
Volunteer
Resource
Site
(www.globalbrigades.org/volunteer-tools-home), which serves as a Step-by-Step
guide to start a chapter and to plan a successful brigade. Universities are
connected to one another through their respective campus chairpersons to
share ideas with chapters across the world. Student leaders are also invited to
an annual GB Student Leadership Conference, where they will be able to meet
with other chapter leaders and members of the Board of Directors to brainstorm
and share ideas, learn from each other, and vote on initiatives for the next year.
Within GB, each team of university leaders are learning how to run their own
development organization: mobilizing their team, fundraising, keeping
accounting records, networking with others and planning community projects in
developing countries, all with the support of professionals with years of
experience in the field and the backing of an insured, registered non-profit in
their country to take on liability. The student leaders leave with experience in
management, organization and networking, which helps them build the skills
and knowledge they need for the next step in their college career.
globalbrigades.org
Booking Brigade Travel
For the safety of the volunteers and at the unwavering request from the
Honduran, Nicaraguan, and Panamanian teams, GB has developed a
streamlined process for travel to ensure a seamless student pick-up and drop-off
for their brigades.
How it works: Every university chapter will use their assigned chapter Advisor to
secure travel arrangements for their entire group and will not have to work with
an outside travel agency. Once a chapter requests dates, the Advisor first
confirms with the in-country Program Lead that the dates work with the
community(s). Upon confirmation, the Chapter Advisor will work with the Global
Brigades Travel Team to book tickets. There are two main reasons for this
process: safety and the ability to fundraise for airfare.
Safety: All planning will go through a single GB point of contact that lives incountry and will likely be the one joining their brigade. This ensures little
confusion around when groups are arriving and that teams travel together.
Coordinating the pick-up of more than 10,000 annual volunteers without
consistent on-the-ground contacts would be nearly impossible. Additionally, if
any flights are cancelled or delayed the Chapter Advisor and Program
Associate serve as emergency contacts for students and parents. If either the
arrival or departure flight is cancelled or delayed, GB will make sure that
students have the information needed for the next flight and will work with the
airline or Brigade Coordinators to provide the group lodging and food if
needed.
If you have any questions related to flight information, please contact the
chapter leader or the GB Chapter Advisor for that school.
globalbrigades.org
Brigade Logistics
Transportation
Which cities do volunteers fly into?
Honduras: The majority of flights arrives to and departs from Tegucigalpa Airport
(TGU) in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. If pricing is significantly more competitive, GB
can also accommodate flights to San Salvador (SAL), El Salvador.
Nicaragua: All flights arrive to and depart from Augusto C. Sandino International
Airport in Managua, Nicaragua.
Panama: All flights arrive to and depart from Tocumen International Airport in
Panama City, Panama.
Who picks up volunteers from the airport and where do they go?
GB Program Associates work directly with the team on the ground and local
Brigade Coordinators to ensure a timely pick-up for all volunteers. The Brigade
Coordinators will be waiting for every group at the airport and will have
adequate transportation for the volunteers and their luggage. The volunteers will
then be transported to the secured compounds, which are located
approximately 1-4 hours away from the airport, away from the cities in very safe
and secure rural areas.
How will I know when the volunteers have arrived?
All volunteers provide the Chapter Advisors with emergency contact information
and emails. All emergency contacts will be notified by email of the safe or late
arrival of a group.
What kind of transportation is provided in the brigade?
All GB in-country entities use trucks, land rovers and buses to transport volunteers
and their luggage. All of the vehicles are safe, registered, insured, and prepared
to be driven through Honduran, Nicaraguan, and Panamanian terrain. All of the
drivers are screened, trained, and knowledgeable of all emergency protocols.
globalbrigades.org
Lodging
Honduras
GB volunteers stay either an hour east of Tegucigalpa in a very safe, rural area
near Nuevo Paraiso or in southern Honduras in the Valle department. The
majority of groups stay in one of these three compounds:
El Censo: Enjoy a beautiful view of landscape full of green pastures, sugar cane
fields, and distant mountains. Global Brigades Honduras has used the El Censo
facility for more than two years, and it has housed hundreds of brigaders. Here,
brigaders will sleep on bunk beds and be provided sheets, towels, and pillows.
Posada Azul: A social enterprise for the Flor Azul (a boarding school and
experiential learning farm for volunteers from villages without access to
education), Posada Azul offers comfortable accommodations with an
incredible view of the valley below. Similar to El Censo, it has the traditional
camp-like amenities such as bunk beds, sheets, towels, a washer and dryer for
laundry, an abundance of bathrooms and showers, filtered drinking water, and
trained local staff to prepare food. The compound has security present 24 hours
a day. Posada Azul serves nearly 100 students, and GB’s use of the facility funds
the entire budget for the boarding school.
Hotel y Club Morzan: Hotel y Club Morzan sits along the Pan-American Highway
in the south of Honduras. It is located in the town of San Lorenzo, a fairly large
town in Honduras in the department of Valle. Here, brigaders can enjoy the
hotel pool and several indoor and outdoor lounge areas. Global Brigades has
used this hotel for approximately four years since Medical and Dental brigades
began working in the South of Honduras.
Nicaragua
GB volunteers will be staying about two hours north of the airport in Estelí or
Matagalpa. The majority of groups stay at one of these two compounds:
Estelimar: Surrounded by the mountains, Estelimar is 10 minutes from downtown
Estelí. Volunteers will stay in dorm-style rooms and will be provided with sheets
and towels. The lodge has a pool and staff to prepare the food. Bathrooms and
showers are available, and the gated lodge is a safe place for brigaders to stay.
globalbrigades.org
Insfop: The Insfop lodging facility is located near the south entrance to Estelí in
Northern Nicaragua. Here, brigaders enjoy a compound facility with various
meeting spaces, dining areas, and walking trails. Global Brigades Nicaragua
began using this facility in 2015.
Panama
All GB volunteers stay 2-4 hours outside of Panama City in very safe, rural areas in
the eastern and western parts of Panama province and the Darien province.
San Carlos: The San Carlos facility is an hour and a half away from Panama City
in the direction of the Cocle province. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of
the Pacific Ocean, as well as field space, a swimming pool, and beach access.
Bed sheets are provided, but towels, toiletries and pillows are not. Brigaders
lodge in dorm-style bunk beds.
Pro Niños: Pro Niños is located in the Darien province, approximately 4 hours
east of Panama City. Brigaders have views of green pastures and distant
mountains, as well as access to a soccer field and hiking path. Like San Carlos,
the facility provides bed sheets but not towels, pillows, or toiletries. Global
Brigades has used the Pro Niños facility for several years, and it has housed
hundreds of brigaders.
For more information regarding the lodging facilities and other facilities not
listed, visit https://www.globalbrigades.org and click “Where We Work.” Each
country has a lodging section!
How soon can I find out where the volunteers are staying?
Lodging and accommodations are highly dependent on group size and
number of groups arriving to the country in a given week. Therefore, GB incountry staff will not have specific information related to lodging until about two
to four weeks prior to a brigade. Please ask the chapter leader or Chapter
Advisor of the group for this information.
globalbrigades.org
Communities
In Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, communities are located in rural and
remote areas where there is little to no crime. Before entering a community, the
GB Research and Evaluation team collects baseline data, assesses community
needs, and secures buy-in from the leadership. Each community is visited by the
Executive Director and transport/logistics team of the GB in-country team to
ensure that it is secure and safe for transporting the volunteers to and from the
community. If GB in-country leadership team ever feels that the safety of
volunteers is compromised in any way, volunteers would be immediately
withdrawn from the community. All communities must be accessible through
paved roads or well-maintained dirt roads (used mostly during summer) by
normal vehicles or four-wheel drive. The time of accessibility to the location
should be within 1 to 3 hours from where the volunteers are staying.
GB Honduras works in the Francisco Morazan, El Paraiso, and Valle regions of
Honduras. GB Panama works in the eastern and western regions of the Panamá
province and in the Darién province. GB Nicaragua works in the Estelí, Madriz,
and Jinotega regions. The Chapter Advisor can provide volunteers with their
specific community location at least 2-4 weeks before the brigade. To see the
list of communities that GB currently serves in Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua
please go to the GB website.
globalbrigades.org
Student Safety
The safety of the volunteers is GB‘s number one priority and is the single most
important consideration when entering a community or choosing a project.
Each country that GB serves has implemented safety protocols and policies to
decrease risk of danger and to ensure that any emergency can be properly
handled in a prompt and professional manner. The GB entity in Honduras,
Panama, or Nicaragua also has the responsibility of administering regular risk
assessments of the current political situation, the location of compounds and
communities, and transportation provided to volunteers.
Security
What kind of security and staff is provided?
Every group is accompanied by at least one trained Brigade Coordinator, a full
logistics team, a paramedic or doctor and trained drivers. In Honduras, groups
are accompanied by a police and/or military officer. While in the community,
Brigade Coordinators are in charge of maintaining a professional and safe work
environment for the volunteers and the community. Special transportation is oncall 24/7 during the brigade in case of emergencies or complete evacuation
from the location.
What is the relationship with the local government and police?
Honduras: GB Honduras has had very strong and formal relationships for the past
7 years with the US Embassy, national and local police, and the national military.
All the entities above are aware and supportive of volunteer activities and have
worked together successfully for years to support the volunteers. Because of
these relationships and established procedures, GB Honduras has maintained an
outstanding track record of safety for the volunteers. Most relevant, projects are
only done in rural areas where crime is low (if barely existent) and where
relationships have been long established.
Panama: GB Panama works directly with the National Ministry of Health to
implement all health programs and is supported and nationally recognized by
the US Embassy. GB Panama has formed a strong relationship with local police,
municipalities, and community representatives in the region.
globalbrigades.org
Nicaragua: GB in Nicaragua has developed strategic partnerships with the
ministry of health to develop and implement programming. Additionally, local
teams have formed relationships with local police and community
representatives in the region to secure operations.
Emergencies
What is the risk of a volunteer getting ill or injured?
Illness or injuries have been infrequent and within expectation with the nature of
the service work. For example, a small number of volunteers have broken bones
or contracted an illness that was treated immediately with the medicine
available to the doctors on staff. All incidents were handled in conjunction with
the emergency procedures of the in-country team and the volunteers were
effectively treated and brought back home safely. A very small amount, far less
than 1%, of volunteers have reported to having been diagnosed with malaria or
dengue fever upon returning home as the incubation time is longer than one
week.
What if a volunteer gets sick?
Should a volunteer get sick or hurt during a brigade, one of the doctors on staff
will attend to the volunteer and have access to an abundant inventory of
medication to treat. If the volunteer needs additional attention they will be
promptly taken to a nearby clinic or hospital according to the medical
procedure plan. The volunteers do not work in communities that are further than
three hours away from a hospital.
Do Brigade Coordinators have cell phones?
Yes, Brigade Coordinators do have cell phones; however, these are only to be
used in case of an emergency. If a volunteer needs to be in contact with a
family member or friend in the US, it is highly recommended that they purchase
an international plan on their cell phone.
Do volunteers have access to internet and phones?
Access to phones and internet is available for emergency situations because
phone and internet plans are very expensive in the rural areas of the country. If
volunteers would like to have reliable access to a phone throughout the week,
we recommend they purchase an international plan prior to arriving in country.
globalbrigades.org
Can I see an itinerary of the brigade?
The chapter leader or Chapter Advisor will be able to provide anyone with an
itinerary of the upcoming brigade. General example itineraries can be found on
each program page at globalbrigades.org.
Are the volunteers ever alone?
Volunteers are never left alone; they have local staff members accompanying
them and are always told to NEVER wander off alone.
What if the group has to be evacuated?
In the event the volunteers must be evacuated, there is an established
Emergency Evacuation plan in place. All volunteers are covered by the GB
emergency evacuation insurance policy. The Travel Director will work with the
Brigade Coordinators, local embassy, and airlines to ensure that the group
departs immediately and safely.
Whom do I contact in case of an emergency?
If there is an emergency situation where the family needs to get hold of the
volunteer immediately, please contact the appropriate team members listed
below.
Honduras:
Quique Rodriguez – Executive Director, +504-9970-9478 (Honduran Mobile)
Ben Erker – Program Officer, +504-9589-0068 (Honduran Mobile)
Luis Quan – Operations Director, +504-9488-7997 (Honduran Mobile)
Nicaragua:
Wilmer Arostegui – Director of Operations, +505-8539-5320 (Nicarguan Mobile)
Carlos Bermudez – Logistics Coordinator, +505-8662-0994 (Nicaraguan Mobile)
Panama:
Gabriela Valencia – Executive Director, +507- 6083-1756 (Panamanian Mobile)
Pablo Garron – Program Officer, +507-6215-3125 (Panamanian Mobile)
International Contact:
International Office - Regional Advisors and Travel Team, +1-206-489-4798
International Emergency Line, +1-206-596-0014
General safety precautions
As with any travel to foreign country, all volunteers should remain aware of their
surroundings and never stray from their group. Should they feel uncomfortable
for any reason at any time, they should immediately speak with their Brigade
Coordinator or a staff member.
globalbrigades.org
Global Brigades places the utmost emphasis and importance on maintaining
and adhering to strict emergency policies and procedures, while
acknowledging that no single plan can address all contingencies.
Emergency Procedures
All volunteers are automatically enrolled in Global Brigades’ travel insurance
policy, provided by Core Travel Insurance (www.coretravelinsurance.com).
Policy Number: BTAB-50383-371
Global Brigades has established emergency procedures around Core Travel’s
insurance policy, underwritten by Axis Insurance Company. The insurance
covers the volunteer for treatment of medical or emergency needs for the
duration of their Brigade in Honduras, Nicaragua, or Panama.
In an event of an emergency the on-site GB Coordinator is responsible for the
following:
A. Attending to the immediate needs of the volunteers involved
B. Removing other volunteers from danger
C. Contacting (as appropriate) local medical emergency officials, law
enforcement officers, the U.S. Embassy/Consulate, and the GB
headquarters
D. Telephoning volunteer’s international travel insurance provider (Axis
Insurance Company) to coordinate Emergency Medical Transportation if
needed. The Coordinator will call Europ Assist at: +1-866-690-5111 (in the
USA) or +1- 202-659-7776 (outside the USA) and provide:
• Volunteer’s name,
• Volunteer’s policy identification number
• Coordinates of distress location
• A phone number in which they can be reached (Coordinator’s
cellular phone)
E. During a medical emergency, GB Coordinator shall ensure that the
volunteer is accompanied by at least one local staff member and one
non-native staff member.
F. If in a remote area without cellular access, the volunteer will be
transported to the nearest clinic/hospital. Below is a list of local
clinics/hospitals in the proximity of the brigade site and their contact info:
globalbrigades.org
Honduras
Clínica Santa Rosa de Lima: +504-2754-6745
Hospital y Clínicas Viera: +504-2237-7136
Honduras Medical Center: +504-2236-7700 (Rina Gomez: +504-22801579)
Medical Rescue: +504-239-9999
Nicaragua
Hospital Metropolitano Vivian Pellas: +505-2255-6900
Hospital Regional de Estelí: +505-2713-6300
Panama
Hospital Nacional: +507-207-8110
Hospital San Fernando: +507-305-6305
Hospital Punta Pacifica: +507-204-8000
Hospital de Chepo: +507-296-7211
Centro de Salud Santa Fe: +507-299-6273
Medical Rescue: +507-236-6060
G. If there are not any medical facilities to transport the volunteers, the
Coordinator will call a private emergency transportation
company. Below is a list of the names and telephone numbers of possible
emergency private transportation companies:
Honduras
Red Cross: +504-2227-7575
MediPed: +504-235-4304, +504-2231-1521
RescateMovil: +504-239-9994, +504-2225-1925
Panama
Red Cross: +507-228-2187
EMI: +507-236-6060
VIVE: +507-279-3111
Nicaragua
Police: 118 or +505-2713-2615
Red Cross: 119
Fire Department: +505-2713-2413
globalbrigades.org
Local GB headquarters in-country is responsible for:
A. Contacting GB Executive Director of the country
B. Transcribing a call log of all calls and activities pertaining to the incident
C. Obtaining the following information from the on-site coordinator:
• Name of Brigade Coordinator, and volunteer at risk
• Identity of any other individual(s) involved, if applicable
• Brief description of accident, illness or emergency
• Location of incident – address, city, country
• Assisting to determine proximity to nearest hospital/clinic
• 2 cell phone numbers where the at risk volunteer can be reached
• Verify calls have been placed or place calls on behalf of on-site
coordinator to emergency response services and U.S.
Embassy/Consulate if situation warrants
D. If the emergency resulted from a natural disaster, an act of terrorism, or an
act of war, GB headquarters staff should ask for detailed answers to all of
the following (if applicable):
• What was the terrorist target of unrest, if event was political?
• What is the intensity of the emergency or political unrest
• Are there military or emergency personnel already on-site?
• What is the advice of the nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate?
• Is there availability of food, water, and medical supplies?
• How able are our volunteers and staff to travel?
• Is continuation of the brigade feasible?
E. Instruct Brigade Coordinator to call again after emergency response
team or law enforcement has arrived.
F. In an event of an emergency other than illness or isolated accident, call
the U.S. Department of State Citizens' Emergency Center at 202/647-5225
for suggestions or assistance. Continue coordination throughout
emergency.
G. Contact the Executive Director of GB Association, Steven Atamian
H. Once important facts have been collected, GB Association in conjunction
with the in-country entity, will assemble a task force in order to:
• Contact family members of the volunteers involved in the incident
• Address immediate actions necessary to maintain security and
health of volunteers and Global Brigade staff
• Identify appropriate steps to take abroad (addressing student
reactions, creating written action plan, sending family members to
program site, etc.)
globalbrigades.org
•
•
•
Implement evacuation plan outlined below (if necessary)
Prepare a list of persons to be alerted (parents/family)
Assess the impact of the event once ended and document all
actions taken in written report
Evacuation Plan for all GB Staff and Volunteers
Honduras
If the disaster event or political unrest occurs in the north of Honduras, including
Tegucigalpa, all GB staff and volunteers will rendezvous in La Ceiba at the
following address:
La Quinta Hotel
Carretera Pavimentada
La Ceiba, Honduras
If the disaster event occurs in the south, all GB staff and volunteers will
rendezvous at the headquarters in Tegucigalpa at the following address:
Global Brigades Honduras
Colonia Miraflores
12 Ave. B 49 Casa 3715
Frente Convento Sagrada Familia
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C
Nicaragua
If the disaster event or political unrest occurs in Nicaragua, all GB staff and
volunteers will rendezvous at the headquarters in Estelí at the following address:
Global Brigades Nicaragua
Del Cafetin El Quesito, 1 cuardra al este, ½ cuadra al norte
Esteli, Nicaragua
If a situation warrants evacuation out of Honduras or Nicaragua completely, all
GB staff and volunteers will rendezvous in Panama City, Panama at the
following address:
Global Brigades Panama
Camino Real de Bethania
Calle Rue del Espiritu Santo (Calle 70 Oeste) Casa #966
Panama City, Panama
globalbrigades.org
Panama
If unrest occurs in parts of the country outside of Panama City, all GB staff and
volunteers will rendezvous at the headquarters in Panama City at the following
address:
Global Brigades Panama
Camino Real de Bethania
Calle Rue del Espiritu Santo (Calle 70 Oeste) Casa #966
Panama City, Panama
In case of unrest or disaster in Panamá City, all volunteers and guests will
rendezvous in the city of Penonomé of Coclé Province at the following address:
Hotel Dos Continentes
Panamerican Road, next to Global Bank in front of Esso Gas Station
Penonomé, Panama
Tel: (507) 997-9325
Any and all transportation and relocation costs related to the disaster will be
covered by the GB entity in the country in which the disaster took place. In the
event of disaster and emergencies, all GB staff will have their ID, proof of
medical insurance, and contingency funds with them at all times to assist the
volunteers.
Insurance Coverage
Below is a description of the Emergency Accident Insurance under which all
volunteers are covered. All volunteers may elect to increase their coverage
amounts through our insurance broker Core Travel. To do so, please contact
Fiona Lally or Raul Casas from Core Travel (flally@rasenna.us,
raulcasas@coretravelinsurance.com), or your Chapter Advisor for more
information.
Name Insured: Global Brigades, Inc.
Insurance Company: Axis Insurance Company
Eligibility: All Volunteers and Staff Members of the Participating Organization
while travelling in the country of their Global Brigades program
globalbrigades.org
Policy Number:
Types of Coverage:
BTAB-50383-371
Medical Expense $50,000
Emergency Medical 100% of covered expenses
Tail Medical $10,000
Emergency Dental $1,000 for injury
$250 for alleviation of pain
Accidental Death $10,000
Permanent Total Disability $10,000
Return of Mortal Remains 100% of covered expenses
Trip Cancellation $1,000
Emergency Reunion/Trip Interruption $3,000
Policy Renewal Date: May 15, 2016
Deductible payable By Participant: $200.00
For more information about the travel insurance policy, please visit
https://www.globalbrigades.org/volunteer-tools-safetyinsurance-insuranceinfo.
globalbrigades.org
University Indemnification
Global Brigades will sign an agreement with your university to indemnify it from
liability. Below is a sample agreement for a medical brigades chapter.
globalbrigades.org
Please contact, pallav@globalbrigades.org to customize an agreement for your
university or to enquire about Global Brigades’ insurance policies.
globalbrigades.org
Contact Global Brigades
If you have any further questions, please contact the team below. A contract
between the University and Global Brigades can also be drafted upon request.
Global Brigades Leadership Team
Steven Atamian, Executive Director
steve@globalbrigades.org
Shital Vora, Chief People Officer
shital@globalbrigades.org
Pallav Vora, Legal and Risk Officer
pallav@globalbrigades.org
Christie George, Dir. of Student Affairs
christie.george@globalbrigades.org
Jenelle Martin, Advisor Manager
jenelle.martin@globalbrigades.org
globalbrigades.org