Global Spread of COVID-19... KOICA Temporarily Repatriates Volunteer Workers

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) announced on the 19th that, in response to the global spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), it will implement temporary repatriation measures for dispatched personnel to developing countries, including the World Friends Korea volunteer group, after comprehensively considering the COVID-19 spread trends and local health capacities. In particular, strong recommendations will be enforced for those aged 50 and above and individuals with underlying health conditions.

KOICA has currently dispatched 1,457 personnel, including the World Friends Korea KOICA volunteer group, mid- to long-term advisory groups, multilateral cooperation experts (KMCO), KOICA-UNV university student volunteers, and global cooperation doctors, to 42 developing countries.

Essential personnel such as KOICA overseas office staff, volunteer coordinators, development cooperation coordinators, and Young Professionals (YP, youth interns) dispatched to 44 countries will remain in the host countries to continue development cooperation projects.

Those subject to temporary repatriation will enter Korea after signing a pledge to faithfully comply with the KOICA overseas office’s guidance, essential personal quarantine action guidelines, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s management guidelines.

Depending on the dispatched country, they will travel according to the KOICA overseas office’s instructions and return home by air. Upon arrival, special entry procedures will be implemented according to government guidelines, and strict self-quarantine measures will be enforced for two weeks.

During their repatriation period, KOICA plans to support temporary returnees in continuing volunteer activities through online learning and education, development of educational materials, and participation in online courses related to local languages and development cooperation. If their stay in Korea is prolonged, participation in community service activities within feasible limits will also be considered.

KOICA will review the re-dispatch dates for temporary returnees based on the global spread trends of COVID-19. For essential personnel remaining on site, KOICA will provide safety supplies such as masks and disinfectants, and implement safety guidelines including telecommuting and refraining from group events according to each country’s COVID-19 situation, maintaining continuous preparedness against infectious diseases as at present.

Meanwhile, the United States Peace Corps and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also announced on the 15th and 17th respectively that they will implement temporary repatriation and return measures to protect volunteers dispatched overseas from the spread of COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.