Disaster Risk Reduction programs are the key to typhoon recovery in the Philippines

Since AAI responded with emergency medical relief to the catastrophic typhoons in the Philippines in September, AAI has supported communities with capacity building projects. This work has involved training in Disaster Risk Reduction including: clinical performance improvement, disaster medicine and hygiene promotion. The provision of capacity building and training projects is helping with long-term recovery and improving the resilience of communities against future disasters.

Click here to read more about AAI’s capacity building and training programs in the Philippines.

AAI provided another series of War Trauma Management Training Courses, in partnership with the Karen Department of Health and Welfare and the lead health organisation on the Thai-Burma Border, Global Health Access Program. AAI has been implementing projects for refugee minority groups on the Thai-Burma Border for over seven years.

Click here to read more about this years War Trauma Management Training

AAI in partnership with Direct Relief International (DRI) deployed a Disaster Response and Assessment Team to Haiti in response to the deadly 7.0 magnitude earthquake. The destructive power of the Haitian earthquake has left over two hundred thousand dead and many more injured and homeless. With millions living in camps and make-shift shelters, there is a need for long-term medical assistance. Together AAI and DRI have been providing millions of dollars of much needed medical supplies to affected hospitals and medical clinics throughout Haiti.

Click here to read more about AAI's efforts in Haiti

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.

AAI Staff movements in our current programs

Headquarters
Frank Tyler, Director of Operations, has been busy travelling between the Philippines and the Thai-Burma Border, coordinating AAI’s various humanitarian programs.

Philippines
Emma Sturrock, has been deployed to the Philippines since the beginning of the year and has functioned as the Program Manager in Frank's absence.

AAI welcomed two exception international volunteers to the Philippines Typhoon Recovery Program. Medical coordinator, Dr. Jennifer Watts from the United States and Public Health expert, Emma Weaver, from Australia, who is the project coordinator for the disaster risk reduction project.

Thai/Burma
AAI's Global Medical Director Dr. Larry Stock, Frank Tyler and a group of dedicated international volunteers delivered the highly successful War Trauma Management Training Course.

Volunteers Positions Currently Available
Emergency Response Project Coordinator Gordon Willcock has been on the ground in Haiti since the earthquake struck and has been assisting DRI with the tremendous logistical challenge of getting vital medical supplies and equipment into the country.

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

AAI is currently organising the next round of Humanitarian Training courses to be conducted in both Melbourne and Sydney in April and May this year. Please check the AAI website regularly for training dates.

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. We encourage everyone to continue to apply for positions as they became available.

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

The Health Transition: Considerations for Developing Countries and Humanitarian Operations.

The health transition is a pressing reality across the globe. Health needs are shifting at a fast pace worldwide. As a result, many developing countries as well as humanitarians need to think strategically and plan for the future by considering the shifting health trends.

Click here to read more.