AAI Responds to Both International Emergencies in the Philippines and Indonesia

In response to the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma, AAI has a Disaster Assessment and Response Team (DART) on the ground in the Philippines. AAI is working with local partner, the Republic of Philippines United Nations White Helmets (RP UNWH) and Knightsbridge International (KBI) to provide medical aid and outreach clinics. AAI has also been working closely with Direct Relief International (DRI) who has provided much needed medical supplies and equipment. AAI continues to deliver critical medical assistance to some of the most remote locations affected by these natural disasters.

Click here to read more about AAI’s DART team response in the Philippines.

Concurrently in Sumatra, Indonesia, AAI has deployed A DART team to respond to the earthquakes that have devastated the west side of the island. The earthquakes have caused extensive damage to infrastructure destroying health services, schools, sanitation systems and roads. AAI has been directing its attention towards the water and sanitation sector in aim of averting an infectious disease outbreak.

Click here to read more about AAI’s DART team response in Indonesia.

The Tour de Timor, a five day mountain bike race around Timor-Leste has gone down in history as a world class event that captured the spirit of peace and independence for Timor-Leste. Some have deemed this gruelling race the hardest bike race in the world.

The Tour de Timor attracted professional and amateur racers from abroad and from local communities throughout Timor-Leste. Among those who completed this exceptional challenge was a team from AAI which included Director of Operations, Frank Tyler and Public Relations Officer, Paul Piaia.

Click here to read more about the race and see a great selection of photos.

Nathan Mullins is a Project Manager for Australian Aid International as well as an ex-cop, ex-soldier and ex-security consultant. Nathan has experienced all sorts of danger including guns, explosions, surgical procedures, combat, sword-play, rioting and other potentially life-threatening behaviours all over the world. He has been lucky to survive some of his assignments and hijacks and so he decided to share a few cautionary tales so others can learn from his near misses.

Click here to read more about Nathan’s latest book.

Philippines

In response to Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma, AAI’s DART team has been providing medical aid and outreach clinics to some of the most affected and isolated populations in the Philippines. AAI has been working closely with local partner organizations, the Republic of Philippines United Nations White Helmets (RP UNWH) and Knightsbridge International (KBI) . As a result of AAI’s positive partnership with RP UNWH and KBI, AAI’s DART team was honoured by being inducted into the commissioned ranks of the RP UNWH. Director of Operation, Frank Tyler was honoured by Colonel Ramon Mareno from the RP UNWH with a medal of the Knights of Rizal which is one of Philippines highest honours. AAI’s provision of medical aid has been made possible by Direct Relief International (DRI) who has provided all the medical logistics in this relief effort.

Click here to read more about AAI being accepted as a member of the RP UNWH and about AAI’s response in the Philippines

Padang, Indonesia

AAI deployed a DART team to respond to the earthquakes that have devastated the west side of Sumatra Island. The earthquakes have caused extensive damage to infrastructure and complete communities have been destroyed. Many communities remain isolated due to logistical barriers making the provision of humanitarian aid including shelter and medical treatment very challenging. AAI has been directing its attention towards the water and sanitation sector in hope of averting an infectious disease outbreak.

Jogjakarta, Indonesia

Java was recently struck by a large earthquake which left thousands of people homeless and nearly 100 people died. The island of Java, Indonesia's most populous Island is home to over 140 million people and has suffered from repeated natural disasters including earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.

AAI has a well developed emergency response capability in Indonesia due to its regional headquarters in Java. The AAI headquarters is integral in emergency response plans within the South-East Asia region. The regional headquarters was placed on standby to assist the Indonesian Government if a call for international assistance was requested.

Click here to read more about AAI in Indonesia.

Timor Leste

Health: As part of AAI’s efforts to resume the significant Rural Healthcare Project on Atauro Island, and through a generous donation, AAI has rehabilitated two remote clinics. These clinics have been used by AAI to deliver outreach healthcare services. The rehabilitation has included a substantial solar electricity system for one of the clinics.

Click here to read more about AAI’s work on Atauro Island.

Hosptials: AAI continues to support the Hospital of Hope - Timor-Leste (HOHTL) www.hospitalofhope.org

The HOHTL is still in negotiations with the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health to build a world-class training hospital to provide free healthcare for the population. A suitable suite has been approved by the Timor-Leste Government for the location of the hospital and lease of land. AAI provides an operational project management service for the HOHTL.

Click here to read more about the HOHTL.

Thai/Burma Border Region

Due to ongoing military offence this year, conducted by the Burmese Military, thousands of refugees have been continuing to flee into Thailand. Despite the ongoing conflict, AAI continues to support minority group medical teams and refugees along the Thai-Burma border. AAI’s latest project along the Thai/Burma Border region has been the reinstatement of the English Teaching Education Project for Burmese refugees in Mae Sot, Thailand.

Click here to read more about AAI’s Teaching Project in Mae Sot, Thailand.

AAI Staff movements in our current programs

Headquarters

Frank Tyler, Director of Operations, is travelling between both the Philippines and Indonesia coordinating AAI’s response to the recent disasters. The remainder of AAI’s senior management staff have been in Melbourne for the past few months. It is a rare event to have all of the senior team in one place at the same time. These staff include Marc Preston (CEO), Dominic Bowen (Information and Security Manager), Nathan Mullins (International Project Manager), Paul Piaia (Public Relations Officer and Website Manager) and Marina Tyler (Executive Officer).

Philippines

AAI's DART team and field workers responding to the recent typhoons in the Philippines include: Gordon Willcock, Dr. Jamin Mulvey, Donald Fontenot, Dr. Dan Khodabahsh, Dr Richard Zoraster and local staff. This exceptional team has been working tirelessly to provide much needed medical aid and outreach services to severely affected communities.

Indonesia

Eva Pitaloka continues to manage AAI's regional office in Indonesia with the assistance of Daniel Ponnsama while AAI is establishing new projects.

David Fuller (Indonesia site manager) has been responding to the recent earthquakes in Sumatra.

Thai/Burma

Dedicated volunteer, Karen Doherty has been in Mae Sot teaching English to Burmese Refugees at Hsa Thoo Lei School.

Volunteers Positions Currently Available

Expression of Interest for Emergency Medical and Nursing Volunteers (Philippines): AAI is working with local partner groups in the Philippines to provide much needed medical assistance, support and advice in response to the recent disasters. This is a call for expression of interest for medical personnel who are able to deploy to the Philippines within the next 24-72 hours.

Expression of Interest for Teaching Volunteers in (Mae Sot, Thailand): AAI's English Teaching Project on the Thai-Burma Boarder is seeking volunteer teachers for placements of three months or longer. Positions are open to volunteers who do not necessarily have formal teaching qualifications. Candidates must however, have relevant skills and experience in the areas of international development and have tertiary qualifications.

Click here to find out more about volunteering for these positions.

AAI successfully ran two sessions of their Introduction to Humanitarian Assistance Course in Melbourne on 15-16 August, 2009 and in Sydney on 5-6 September, 2009.

AAI is currently organising the next round of Humanitarian Training courses to be conducted in both Melbourne and Sydney in April next year.

It is essential that all volunteers wishing to register with AAI complete the Introduction to Humanitarian Operations course prior to being selected for a position. However, if courses are unavailable this will not disadvantage you in applying for possible positions with AAI. We encourage you all to continue to apply for positions as they became available.

Click here to find out more about this course and to enrol.

UN to establish single new agency to deal with rights of women.

Four United Nations agencies and offices will be amalgamated to create a new single entity within the Organization to promote the rights and well-being of women worldwide and to work towards gender equality.

Click here to read more.

Give a gift that makes a difference this year; donate or sponsor an AAI project for Christmas and help improve health in some the most remote and disadvantaged areas.

Click here to read more.