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Peace Corps volunteers in Georgia safely relocated to Armenia

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  • Peace Corps volunteers in Georgia safely relocated to Armenia

    States News Service
    August 11, 2008 Monday



    PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS IN GEORGIA SAFELY RELOCATED TO ARMENIA

    WASHINGTON


    The following information was released by the Peace Corps:

    Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter announced today that all Volunteers
    and trainees serving in the Republic of Georgia are safe, and they
    have been temporarily relocated to neighboring Armenia.

    The decision to relocate the Volunteers is due to the ongoing conflict
    taking place in the South Ossetia region of Georgia and bordering
    areas. All 36 Peace Corps Volunteers and 49 Peace Corps
    Volunteer-trainees serving in Georgia are safe. Personnel from Peace
    Corps/Georgia, as well as Peace Corps/Armenia, are now supporting the
    Volunteers.

    The Peace Corps/Georgia office is still open in Tbilisi, and is
    constantly and carefully monitoring this situation along with Peace
    Corps Headquarters in Washington. Peace Corps Volunteers do not serve
    in South Ossetia, the separatist region located in the north of
    Georgia along its border with Russia.

    The Peace Corps program in Georgia was established in 2001. Since that
    time more than 275 Volunteers have served there. The 85 Volunteers and
    Volunteer-trainees currently serving in Georgia are working in English
    language education, business and social entrepreneurship programs.

    The safety and security of Volunteers and Volunteer-trainees is the
    number one priority of the Peace Corps. Each Peace Corps program has
    an Emergency Action Plan specific to that country and developed in
    cooperation with Peace Corps Washington and the local
    U.S. Embassy. The plans are evaluated and tested frequently and
    information is updated constantly. Volunteers are thoroughly trained
    in their roles and responsibilities, and posts are prepared for all
    emergencies.

    Families may contact the Peace Corps/Georgia Desk with any questions
    or concerns that may have at 202-692-2423 during business hours, and
    the Office of Special Services after hours. The Office of Special
    Services maintains a 24-hour a day, 7 days a week duty system. The
    telephone number during standard office hours is 1-800-424-8580,
    Extension 1470; the after hours number is 202-638-2574. The Office of
    Special Services can also be contacted via e-mail at
    [email protected]

    The Peace Corps is celebrating a 47-year legacy of service at home and
    abroad. Currently there are more than 8,000 Volunteers abroad, a
    37-year high for Volunteers in the field. Since 1961, more than
    190,000 Volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between
    Americans and the people of the 139 countries where Volunteers have
    served, including the Republic of Georgia. Peace Corps Volunteers must
    be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is
    a 27-month commitment.
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