Disaster Aid Response Team (DART)

A key element of our disaster response is having trained volunteers on the ground. This is the Disaster Aid Response Team (DART). DARTs are our frontline when managing the provision of “Smart-Aid”.

Role of the Dart

The DART members are our local project managers in a disaster and have considerable responsibility to Disaster Aid Europe and our supporters.

The role at the disaster location includes:

• Identifying appropriate local Rotary and other contacts, who can assist in identifying the areas where our
  aid will be most beneficial and working with other NGOs in collaboration
• Meeting with the communities that have been identified and determining their needs [Needs Assessment]
• Determining the best way of providing aid that meets the community’s needs
• Reporting the situation to the Disaster Aid Europe Board so appropriate levels of resources can be
  allocated. (In many cases this may include approval for significant in-country expenditure)
• Managing, monitoring and tracking the provision of aid.
• Project evaluation on return

DART Member Requirements

DARTs are all volunteers. They are required to contribute their time to:

• Travel, at short notice, for up to 2 weeks to respond as above (board & lodging costs will be met by local
  Rotary communities or NGOs where possible).
• Be active in fundraising, including giving a presentation to Disaster Aid supporters.
• Attend training sessions.
• And will need to be in good health. A reasonably high level of physical fitness is required.

Applicants will be required to submit a doctor’s letter confirming their good health and physical ability to fulfil the DART role, before an application for deployment can be processed. A list of current vaccinations should also be submitted.

Every effort is taken by Disaster Aid Europe to minimise risks to those deploying to disaster affected areas, by allowing DARTs to be deployed only after an initial training course, however, by necessity, volunteers are expected to perform in difficult conditions of disaster-affected regions.

As many risks will still be present in such regions, all prospective DARTs should discuss their intentions with their
families.

Note:

• All DARTs are expected to cover the cost of own medical and travel insurance.
• Travel costs to deployment area to be met by each DART (Disaster Aid Europe may be able to contribute a proportion of these)

DART Training

DART training is typically over several days. The cost of training is to be met by each trainee or their sponsor.

The training will include:

• Health and safety
• Security
• Understanding Smart Aid technologies

On successful completion of the training, the DART member would be deployed only with an experienced DART.

DAE DART Deployment Application