MSF Refugee Camp Exhibit coming to Winnipeg

... Volunteers needed!
CONTEXT



In the fall of 2008, Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) plans to bring the Refugee Camp in the Heart of the City exhibit to Western Canada on a four-city tour. The goal of the exhibit is to raise awareness about the plight of the world’s 42 million refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) uprooted by war and conflict.



The Refugee Camp in the Heart of the City exhibit is an outdoor reconstruction of an actual refugee camp, where experienced MSF staff (doctors, nurses, logisticians) guide visitors through a 40 to 60 minute interactive tour explaining the crucial elements for survival in a refugee or IDP crisis. During the tour, each visitor will learn some of the challenges a refugee or IDP faces in trying to access food, shelter, water and medical care.

The Refugee Camp in the Heart of the City was first launched in France in 1995, and has toured in over 15 countries in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. In 2007, the exhibit attracted close to 20,000 visitors in the United States during its five-city tour. MSF expects to attract over 15,000 viewers throughout the four-city tour of Western Canada this fall. For more information please visit: www.refugeecamp.org



The exhibit will be open to the public on the following dates:



· Winnipeg - September 11-14, 2008 – The Forks



· Volunteers needed September 10 – 15th inclusive



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ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS:

MSF seeks approximately ten highly motivated On-Site Volunteers per day (including 1 day for camp set-up & breakdown pre & post event) for each stop in its tour of Western Canada. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the world's leading independent medical humanitarian organization; to network with MSF field staff and to make a difference in terms of raising awareness regarding the challenges faced by the 42 million refugees and IDPs worldwide. Reporting to the Volunteer Coordinator, the On-Site Volunteers will assist the Volunteer Guides and other event staff with general logistics before, during and after the event in order to ensure that visitors’ needs are suitably accommodated and that the objectives of the event are successfully met.

DUTIES AND REPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with the logistics of setting up and breaking down the event

• Assist in organizing and directing arriving groups in order to establish an orderly queue

• Provide local knowledge and run errands for event staff
• Draw people into the event by handing out event-related materials (ie. postcards)

• Assist in outreach by helping to promote the event in to schools, community-based organizations, businesses and other groups

• Assist with other tasks as required



QUALIFICATIONS/ JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Experience or familiarity with or interest in the work of Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

• Familiarity with the local vicinity; knowledge of available local resources and services

• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills, organizational skills
• Ability to lift and carry tables, chairs, equipment, etc.
• Knowledge of and interest in refugee issues and the humanitarian aid sector
• Fluency in English essential, and French an asset.

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION – Winnipeg Event ONLY:

Interested candidates for should submit a (brief) email including dates & times available to Dr. Kim Wiebe at kim_wiebe@yahoo.com

Only electronic applications will be accepted. The deadline for applications is September 5/08. Please note that any time you have to offer will be greatly appreciated – you don’t have to be available for the whole event.



For those who are unable to volunteer, please plan on visiting the exhibit.

Please share this information with others!

Thank you.