[PC Guinea news] Official Peace Corps press release on evacuation of Guinea PCVs

From: Official Peace Corps website

Peace Corps Volunteers in Guinea Are Safe

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 28, 2007 – Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter announced that all volunteers serving in Guinea are safe and are consolidated in Mali. Volunteers were moved to Mali as a precautionary measure due to the on-going strikes and demonstrations in Guinea. The duration of the Guinea Volunteers’ stay in Mali will be contingent upon the situation/events in Guinea.

The Peace Corps office in Conakry remains open. The U.S. Embassy is operating under voluntary, authorized departure. No Americans have been targeted in the demonstrations. The Peace Corps staff in Guinea remains in constant communication with Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C. 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.

Since the initial opening of the program in 1962, more than 1,200 Volunteers have served in Guinea. After a hiatus, Peace Corps returned to Guinea in 1985, and today there are 111 Volunteers serving in the areas of business development, education, environment, health and HIV/AIDS projects.

Families may contact the Peace Corps' Office of Special Services with any questions or concerns they may have. 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 ossdutyofficer@peacecorps.gov.

The Peace Corps is celebrating a 45-year legacy of service at home and abroad. Since 1961, more than 187,000 Volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where Volunteers have served. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.