AMIGOS has an excellent safety record. We have developed a highly efffective health and safety system that includes pre-departure training, on-the-ground planning and support and a 24-hour on-call emergency team, that includes doctors and mental health professionals.

Training
Through the training process, Volunteers learn how to monitor their physical and mental well-being while in their communities. They learn how to recognize and treat illnesses and feelings that are common when volunteering, as well as those that are more serious and require medical attention. Additionally, they practice how to make sound decisions when faced with potentially dangerous situations.

Supervision
Volunteers are visited at least once a week by their Project Supervisor, who is responsible for checking up on each Volunteer’s health and safety, delivering mail and project materials and providing encouragement and support throughout the experience. During these visits, Project Supervisors assist Volunteers in resolving any non-emergency health and safety concerns or questions.

Emergency Contacts Card
Each Volunteer is issued an emergency CALM card (Call - Assist - Lift - Medical) upon their arrival in Latin America. This card includes Project Staff contacts, local and regional clinic contacts, location of phones and viable transports within their community (researched well in advance), AMIGOS International Office numbers and embassy contacts. Volunteers are also provided with an emergency calling card.

On-Call Communications System
AMIGOS’ On-Call Communications System is a 24-hour emergency system comprised of an entire network of doctors, psychologists, travel specialists and emergency response teams ready to assist in case of emergency.

The On-Call system is extremely efficient at responding to emergencies, be they a health concern, natural disaster or political event. Additionally, AMIGOS has established a network with local humanitarian and political agencies within Latin America that can provide assistance if needed.