Rapid Response Corps

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The Rapid Response Corps was established in the aftermath of major humanitarian crises in the last decade. It is a way of having technical expertise ready to respond as quickly as possible to major disasters in the world. With the major catastrophe in Haiti taking place in the last 24 hours it is possible that the Rapid Response Corps would be activated to help supplement the efforts to cope with the terrible level of destruction that has transpired.
Rapid Response Corps
Who they are looking for They have profiles of public health officers, humanitarian specialists, protection officers, engineering specialists, education officers, information technology specialists and logisticians that could be needed for the Rapid Response Corps.
It is an important resource at times like this and shows the nation's contribution to global community spirit along with the various relief and development agencies.

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There will be some members of the Rapid Response Corps going to help begin the relierf effort for the devasted Haitian Capital and surrounding area.
irishaid

Minister of State for Overseas Development Peter Power also confirmed that Irish Aid will deploy specialists from its Rapid Reaction Corps to assist in the response to the Haiti earthquake.

UN agencies coordinating the disaster response have requested specialist staff in areas including logistics, telecommunications and sanitation. “We have received a request from the main UN agencies in Haiti for a small number of highly-specialised personnel,” Minister Power said. “We are working closely with UNICEF, the World Food Programme and others to identify the kind of skills needed in Haiti in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. The problem is not one of numbers – there are plenty of people available from Haiti and the immediate region. What the UN needs is people with specific skill-sets. In most cases we have identified people on our roster of Rapid Response Corps volunteers who meet their requirements.”

The Irish Rapid Response Corp consists of 130 personnel with specialised skills in areas such as logistics, engineering and public health, which can prove vital in responding to emergency and humanitarian situations. In addition, Irish Aid has pre-positioned emergency supplies such as tents, blankets and water and sanitation equipment in depots around the globe which can be called upon in an emergency.

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Irish Aid

...three members of Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps have been deployed to Haiti to assist in the international emergency effort in the wake of this week’s devastating earthquake.

Donal McGrath, an ICT specialist from Dublin and John Jefferies, an ESB Network technician from Cork arrived in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic last night (19 January) and will travel to Haiti to work with the World Food Programme.
Captain Tim O’Connor, a Defence Forces’ engineer from Cork who is a UN-trained disaster expert, has also been deployed as part of the small Irish Aid technical team assessing the immediate needs of the Haitian people.

"Highly-skilled specialists have a vital role to play in the rescue and recovery effort and the Government would like to pay tribute to these three Corps members whose expertise and commitment will prove invaluable to the international effort,"Minister Power said.

Other members of the Rapid Response Corps are still on standby to go out in the future.
The Haiti situation shows how valuable having the people with the right skill-set in place as soon as possible after a major destructive event. It is worth noting that the world tends to have other similar crises on an all too regular basis and that preparation is a vital part of a quick, effective reaction. The more extensive the skills base of the volunteer Rapid Response Corps the more chance that Ireland can respond well in the face of serious challenges. If anyone has gone through the application process or is already in the Rapid Response Corps any descriptions you can give would be very helpful.

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Amazingly a couple of people were still alive when found under the rubble in the last couple of days. There is a huge logistical endeavor now necessary to keep the displaced population supplied with basic necessity and get them temporary accommodation. The long term goal of rebuilding a sustainable infrastructure in an earthquake/hurricane prone area is going to be vital.

In addition, three members of the Irish Aid Rapid Response Corps have deployed to Haiti and other Corps members with specialised skills in engineering, logistics and water and sanitation are expected to be called upon in the coming days and weeks," Minister Power said.
Irish Aid maintains the Rapid Response Corps, a register of highly-skilled individuals who are willing to be deployed at short notice to assist in an emergency relief effort. To date there have been 65 deployments to over 20 countries including Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, DRC, Zimbabwe, Colombia and now Haiti.

Irish Aid

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RRC - When on assignment
Will the Corps be deployed together as a team, or as individuals?

Members of the Corps will be deployed as individuals, but as part of a UN team with other experts from other UN member states, and UN staff.

Irish Aid Some questions about being in the Rapid Response Corps.

VOLUNTEERING: FROM DOCTORS TO electrical engineers, journalists to logistics experts, the Rapid Response Corps (RRC) is a Mission Impossible -type collective of Irish Government-supported volunteers, sent to some of the most challenging and volatile environments in the world.

Since its formation in 2007, members of the RRC have been deployed in 67 missions across the globe. At present, the RRC is a 130-strong unit, with volunteers drawn from all walks of life and ready to deploy at a few days’ notice.
To get into the Rapid Response Corps, volunteers must go through a selection and training process, which includes military and logistical training at the Curragh Camp in Kildare. Currently, six members of the corps have been deployed to Haiti, while 11 others are serving in places such as Afghanistan, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Irish Times. A description of the efforts of members of the volunteer Rapid Response Corps

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This may whet your appetite or curtail your interest.
RTE Rapid Response Corps from nine o clock news last night

Some further profiles of people volunteering for the Rapid response Corps: Irish Aid

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Rapid Response Corps This initiative is recruiting again for 2011. They are looking for specific specialists although if you have a useful skill in other areas it could still be well worth looking to volunteer. Applications by the 4th of March.

Engineers
· Water and Sanitation Engineer

Gender Specialists
· Mainstreaming gender equality in humanitarian response
· Human rights approach to Gender Based Violence

Information Management Officers
· Sourcing data and processing, analysing and disseminating information

Protection Officers
· Child Protection
· Community development

Public Health Officers
· Emergency Health Officer
· Project Officer (Health)

It is quite a commitment but it sounds like very important work in strengthening civil society and infrastructure around the world. The experience gained in the relief and rebuilding elements of the activities by volunteers could become very valuable if major national disasters become more common around the world or if they hit even closer to home. Some more general points about what they are looking for:

Applicants should have a strong commitment to humanitarian values, substantial technical qualifications, knowledge of a second language and relevant experience. Competency in French is particularly sought after. Humanitarian experience with a multinational agency or an international NGO is highly desirable. In addition, successful applicants should be in a position to make themselves available for deployment at short notice for periods of at least 3 months.

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There has been a major disaster event in Japan today and the Rapid Response Corps is being put on stand by in case Ireland is asked for help in the aftermath. The television pictures show some scenes of huge devastation from the tsunami that formed after the initial great earthquake of 8.9 on the Richter scale (sixth largest in the past 100 years). There have been several large aftershocks also. Even for an advanced nation like Japan it is very difficult to deal with the scale of what has happened.

As yet the Japanese Government has not appealed for international assistance, but we stand ready to provide assistance should there be an appeal."

Minister O'Sullivan said she had asked humanitarian experts from the Irish Aid Rapid Response Corps to be on standby for possible deployment to the region. The Corps is made up of highly-specialised technical experts who can be sent at short notice to work with the United Nations or other humanitarian organisations in the event of an emergency.

Irish Aid

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The prolonged drought and dysfunctional political system in Somalia in particular has brought that area of Africa to a terrible point. Famine is afflicting the people. Irish Aid has sent 11 members of the Rapid Response Corps to the region as part of Ireland's reaction to the crisis.
Irishaid

The Government is providing €5.6 million in relief, which is the largest contribution to a single emergency from the Government in 2011. The Government has also fielded 11 members of its highly-skilled Rapid Response Corps to the region to directly assist in humanitarian operations.

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The rapid response corps is recruiting for next year's induction training, deadline for applications is December 2nd 2011. More info on volunteering for this worthy initiative at irishaid.ie

Currently, there are 26 members of the Rapid Response Corps serving overseas in Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Libya, Nepal, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.

In an emergency scenario, the initial assessments of the needs are often based on inadequate information, and the emergency itself will constantly change. Corps members require an ability to work under pressure and employ sound judgment and adaptability in a highly stressful and changeable environment.

Applicants should have a strong commitment to humanitarian principles, substantial technical qualifications, and relevant experience. Humanitarian experience with a multinational agency or an international NGO is highly desirable. Competency in French is an advantage. In addition, successful applicants should be in a position to make themselves available for deployment at short notice for periods of at least 3 months.

cocaholic

Hey,

Does anyone know when they will be recruiting again???

Is it very competitive etc?

Thanks in advance

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Irishaid.ie The closing date for applications is April 10th 2015.
The roles it is focusing on (from the same link):

Recruitment in 2015 will focus on the key skills and thematic areas most in demand by our UN Stand-by partners. The following roles and areas of expertise will be prioritised in this recruitment round:

Information Management Officers (including GIS)
Protection (including Child Protection Officers, Community Services Officers and Gender Based Violence Advisers)
Gender Advisers
Humanitarian Affairs Officers
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Engineers
Engineers (Civil or Electrical)
Shelter Experts/Site Planners/Construction Engineers
Cash Assistance Officers
Supply Chain/Logistics Officers
Nutrition Specialists

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The Rapid Response Corps has been busy. It's good to know Ireland can contribute quickly in challenging times. Irish Aid

Following our latest recruitment drive in 2015, the following roles and areas of expertise were prioritised:

Information Management Officers (including GIS)
Protection (including Child Protection Officers, Community Services Officers and Gender Based Violence Advisers)
Gender Advisers
Humanitarian Affairs Officers
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Engineers
Engineers (Civil or Electrical)
Shelter Experts/Site Planners/Construction Engineers
Cash Assistance Officers
Supply Chain/Logistics Officers
Nutrition Specialists

Since the establishment of the roster in September 2007, Irish Aid has deployed 306 Rapid Response Corps roster members to 50 countries, with the majority deploying to the Horn of Africa and the Middle East in response to severe protracted crises in these regions, and to Haiti, Philippines, Nepal and Ecuador in response to sudden onset emergencies there in 2010 (Haitian earthquake), 2013 (Typhoon Haiyan), 2015 (Nepal earthquake) and 2016 (Ecuador earthquake) respectively.

25 roster members were deployed in 2016 to date (July) to Democratic Republic of Congo, Macedonia, Greece, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Timor Leste, Nigeria, Haiti, Ecuador, and Lesotho. 32 members were deployed in 2015, while 32 members were also deployed in 2014 and 34 members deployed in 2013.

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The imminent damage from something like Hurricane Mathew shows how important it is to be able to respond quickly.
Here's some idea of what is involved in the training for the roles:
Rapid Response Strategy

14
Ireland’s rapId response InItIatIve
Module 1
is delivered by Irish Aid and includes:
a general orientation on humanitarian response;
consideration of the role and mandates of the main humanitarian organisations;
an explanation of humanitarian principles, codes and standards;
gender and protection in humanitarian action;
an exploration of personal effectiveness and cultural awareness.
Module 2
is delivered in partnership with the Defence Forces at the Military College in the Curragh Camp. It focuses on:
Personal Safety Awareness Training for working in hostile environments;
Security Awareness and Hazardous Environmental Training involving experiential learning to prepare rapid responders for the
challenging and difficult environments they may have to work in to.
In addition, all candidates must pass the UN’s internet based security in the field trainings prior to inclusion on the Rapid Response Corps roster.

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2017 experiences-rapid-response-corps/
rapid-response-corps/ recruitment is closed for 2018 though if you had a thought about 2019 follow the contact email at the bottom of that link.