Corporate Alliance - Global Vision International

Health And Safety

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People working in boats

The health and safety of all participants is paramount. In view of this, GVI has compiled strict systems and procedures for the introduction of new project partners and expeditions, as well as for the day to day care for all participants in the field.

To help us achieve these high standards GVI employs a network of over 150 personnel and advisers in more than 20 countries. Together we work towards the success of the project, as well as the enjoyment and fulfillment of the participant. We only work with the leading organizations in their field and all our expedition personnel are fully paid and on long term professional contracts, which increases safety, quality of research, project development and expedition life.

GVI field staff send regular information bulletins to GVI headquarters ensuring we are always in touch with the most up-to-date local and regional developments so we can give you the advice you need to make an informed decision. We also receive Foreign Office advice on a regular basis.

In addition all GVI volunteers receive:

  • Pre-departure advice documents concerning travel and safety issues
  • Airport pick-up and local orientation
  • Accommodation arrangement
  • Support and knowledge from GVI's field coordinators
  • 24 hour emergency phone line in the UK

In order for a project or expedition to become eligible for inclusion on GVI's program, it will have been fully researched and visited by at least one GVI staff member, usually more. GVI expeditions are staffed on a permanent basis by GVI employees and an updated Health and Safety assessment is done and returned to GVI UK at the beginning of each five week phase. Each ten weeks the full risk assessment is also updated.

Unlike expeditions, which are staffed by full time GVI employees, projects are staffed by our host country partners. We provide all our partners with our health and safety guidelines and ask each one to commit to taking the health and safety of all our volunteers very seriously. Following the inception of a new project, it will be visited on average once a year by a GVI staff member, who will update the risk assessment and establish whether the necessary control measures are sufficient.

PLEASE NOTE: GVI CA programs are not holidays! It must be understood that all programs by definition are going to have a risk factor, whether diving on a coral reef or spending an extended time in an Amazonian rainforest. All future participants should be aware of the risks involved and make an informed decision on participation. GVI CA does not run package holidays; we sometimes operate in remote conditions and in some cases are dealing hands on, with wildlife. GVI CA endeavors to offer you the safest way to experience these amazing opportunities

Ed Bieske
Volunteer

"From my initial Kathmandu tour, to our time in Pokhara, my rafting and trekking, and even to the arrangement of my Indian visa and onward transport, no stone was left unturned to ensure I was given 5 star service. What makes this effort all that more special was the difficult political climate in which you had to operate. I realise you must have had many people and issues to consider but at no point did the level of professionalism ever drop below first rate. The mere fact that we were still able to see and experience so much of your amazing country while all that was going on around us is testament to the quality of management and staff."