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Peace Corps Reviews Operations in Honduras as all volunteers will participate in a conference in January before returning to the United States on administrative leave
"The safety and security of all Peace Corps volunteers is the agency's highest priority," said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams. "During this time, we are going to conduct a full review of the program. We thank the people of Honduras for their strong support of Peace Corps over the years."
Peace Corps Reviews Operations in Honduras as all volunteers will participate in a conference in January before returning to the United States on administrative leave
Peace Corps Reviews Operations in Honduras
Caption: One person was killed and three were injured including Peace Corps Volunteer Lauren Robert, 27, in an attack on a bus on the transportation route from San Pedro Sula to La Esperanza, Intibucá on December 4, 2011. The Peace Corps Volunteer was shot in the right leg and was taken to recover in a private clinic in San Pedro Sula and later back to the US. Honduras suffers the world's highest murder rate - 82 killings per 100,000 people a year. The army is currently taking on policing duties in response to a wave of violence. All 158 currently serving volunteers are safe and accounted for and will participate in a conference in January before returning to the United States on administrative leave. Peace Corps announced on December 21, 2011 that the agency will review the safety and security climate in Honduras before continuing with volunteer operations.
WASHINGTON, D.C., December 21, 2011 -- The Peace Corps is conducting an ongoing review of the security environment in Honduras, and has cancelled its next volunteer training class while this review is being conducted.
All 158 currently serving volunteers are safe and accounted for and will participate in a conference in January before returning to the United States on administrative leave. Peace Corps will review the safety and security climate in Honduras before continuing with volunteer operations.
"The safety and security of all Peace Corps volunteers is the agency's highest priority," said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams. "During this time, we are going to conduct a full review of the program. We thank the people of Honduras for their strong support of Peace Corps over the years."
Peace Corps has operated in Honduras since 1963. More than 5,500 Americans have served in Honduras since the program was established, working with communities on projects focused on health and HIV/AIDS prevention, water sanitation and youth development.
Families with questions or concerns may contact the Peace Corps' Counseling and Outreach unit, which maintains a 24-hour, 7 days a week duty system. The telephone number during standard office hours is (800) 424-8580, extension 1470.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: December, 2011; Peace Corps Honduras; Directory of Honduras RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Honduras RPCVs; Safety and Security of Volunteers; Evacuation
When this story was posted in December 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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