Over 21,000 Professionals Volunteered Overseas in FY 2006 – a 75 Percent Increase over FY 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Volunteers for Prosperity (VfP Office) at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has released its annual report for federal fiscal year (FY) 2006 noting dramatic gains in international voluntary service.

“The accomplishments of the past year are chiefly attributable to the ongoing dedication and commitment of our partners and to the talented Americans they deployed to help others in need around the world,” said Jack Hawkins, Director of the VfP Office.

Highlights of the report which covers the period from October 1, 2005 to September 30, 2006 include:

The pool of highly skilled American professionals available through VfP partners surged five-fold, from 54,000 in FY 2005 to nearly 285,000 in FY 2006.

• During FY 2006, VfP partners reported deploying over 21,000 volunteers, an increase of 75 percent over the FY 2005 total of 12,000.
• Between FY 2005 and FY 2006, the number of volunteer opportunities reported by VfP partners jumped more than threefold, from 9,000 to just over 30,000.
• VfP partners recognized over 700 volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award. 

The 2006 annual report includes:  an overview of recent activities and new opportunities; an update of the six presidential initiatives comprising the U.S. global health and prosperity agenda; a section that recognizes VfP volunteers honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award; and a look at future plans.  Also included are VfP volunteers’ personal accounts of recent experiences and profiles of the partners that deployed them. The report can be viewed at http://www.volunteersforprosperity.gov.

The VfP Office, located within the USAID Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, serves as interagency coordinator for the initiative. Other federal agencies supporting the initiative are the departments of State, Commerce, and Health and Human Services, and USAID.

Volunteers for Prosperity was established by Executive Order in September 2003.  VfP works with leading U.S. non-profits and companies to deploy highly skilled American professionals in volunteer opportunities that support the global health and prosperity goals of the U.S. Government.  VfP is part of the USA Freedom Corps, the White House’s coordinating council on volunteerism.  For more information, please visit www.volunteersforprosperity.gov.

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