JOINews December


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Monthly Newsletter

December 2022

News from the Network

Update on humanitarian aid for Ukraine

Our members are tirelessly providing aid to the people affected. Next to immediate emergency relief, transport services, as well as support to refugees, many of our members make arranged deliveries with local partners. Our Polish members delivered almost 15 tons of necessary items such as food, hygiene products, bandages, medicines, thermal clothing and sleeping bags, batteries, flashlights, and travel stoves to the Kharkiv area. Johanniter Austria and Germany are collaborating in their annual Christmas-trucker action and while they were still collecting parcels in their respective countries, the first parcels have already arrived in Ukraine in the third week of December. With the help of Johanniter Austria, our Hungarian members handed over 4 urgently needed ambulance cars to the Ukrainian administration on 20th December. Read all updates on our network activity for Ukraine here.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Our Chairman Mark Broughton, the entire Board and the Office of Johanniter International in Brussels wish all of you a peaceful and blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year 2023! We have been confronted with various new challenges in many ways and, despite all difficult conditions, mobilised immense support and grown stronger together. We are grateful to all JOIN members for the continuous excellent cooperation this year. We look forward to the new year to continue our successful work together with the entire JOIN family.

Volunteer Swap

Volunteer Swap opportunities for 2023

Our Volunteer Swap programme already offers 14 opportunities for 2023. You can participate in the medical coverage of many events and also in social activities that do not require specific first aid training but social skills. Many of the swaps in Austria, England, and Germany but also the Medical Student Exchange in Jerusalem can be arranged flexibly at times that fit you best. In England, you can support St John Ambulance in their "Night Time Economy" in 8 major cities flexibly on different weekends throughout the year. In the Netherlands, you can participate in one of five holiday weeks for older people. Have a look at the map and find your perfect opportunity!

Volunteer Swap report: Ambulance Services in Vienna

In November, Myurri Lohesan from St John Ambulance visited Johanniter in Vienna as part of the Volunteer Swap programme. The 25-year-old medical student and volunteer first aider participated in the Acute Care Services and Ambulance Services. Now we have published her report of the time with Johanniter Austria. Read about her experience here.

News from the members

Finland: Johanniter at the Christmas market in Espoo

The Christmas market in Espoo opened this year with a spectacular event. Santa Claus and the elves' reindeer carriage landed on the high rooftop of a building, from where Santa and the elves descended to the crowd with ropes. Johanniter Finland was present to ensure the safety of all involved as well as spectators and families attending the market. Have a look at the pictures here.

Germany: Johanniter present Christmas traditions from Ecuador, Kenia, and the Philippines

Our German member is providing help all around the world. As the end of the year is approaching, Johanniter employees present Christmas traditions from three different countries on three continents. In Ecuador, families meet, pray and read to each other from the Bible nine days before Christmas. This is accompanied by traditional Christmas carols. In Kenya, it is a tradition to have a barbecue at Christmas; beef, chicken, lamb, or goat are grilled and served together with rice and chapati. The Philippines are known for the longest Christmas season in the world. Beginning in September, the festivities do not end until January.

News from Europe

EU MODEX in Portugal

From 29th November to 2nd December, the last Exercise for EU Civil Protection Modules and other Response Capacities in 2022 took place in Lisbon. 179 rescue experts from Estonia, Germany, and Spain searched and rescued victims out of collapsed buildings during an exercise within the Union Civil Protection Mechanism co-organised by Johanniter Germany. The scenario consisted of an earthquake that caused a tsunami hitting the area of Lisbon. The Urban Search and Rescue teams were supported by a Spanish Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) which is able to search wide areas with their drones using a livestream of optical and thermal images. Watch the video of the exercise here.

International Volunteer Day on 5th December

2022 celebrates the theme of solidarity through volunteering, highlighting the power of our collective humanity to drive positive change through volunteerism. International Volunteer Day recognises and promotes the tireless work of volunteers across the globe. Volunteers, drawn together by solidarity, develop solutions to urgent challenges and for the common good. It is the occasion for the JOIN network to thank the tens of thousands of people volunteering in JOIN member organisations for making our work possible.

European Projects

MED1stMR consortium meeting in Vienna

From 12th to 13th December, the consortium of MED1stMR came together in Vienna. The 4th General Assembly of MED1stMR marked the half-time of the European project and was packed with presentations and knowledge exchange within the multidisciplinary consortium. Partners experienced two intensive work days at the premises of the Austrian Institute of Technology. Continue reading

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