Virtualvolunteer.org: Help for Pinoys in Distress Anywhere in the World

A new mobile and web-based application was developed and introduced to assist and save the lives of distressed Filipinos, including finding missing persons abroad during emergencies and disasters.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) recently introduced www.virtualvolunteer.org in Zamboanga City. This is accessible anywhere thru laptops or smartphones with internet connectivity.

Dr. Zenaida Beltejar, PRC National Headquarters Welfare Services Manager, described the app as an online assistant that provides information on emergency services such as medical assistance and other crisis intervention services in any country in the world.

“The app provides info on services that will give you protection and security especially in times of distress,” she said.

The virtual volunteer specifically locates basic services such as shelter, hospitals, and legal assistance; provides information on safety and first aid and other useful information needed by migrants; helps Filipinos communicate in a foreign language via a built-in translator; and connects Filipinos to the Red Cross for other urgent needs and find missing persons.

According to the Philippine Red Cross, approximately 11 million Filipinos live and work abroad. Many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are exposed to dirty, difficult and dangerous jobs. There are incidents of abuse in its many forms including sexual, physical and emotional such as discrimination.

The Middle East is a popular destination for OFWs. However, many countries there “do not recognize domestic work in their labor laws,” which “translates to an absence of protection and recognition of human rights, including the difficulty of accessibility of health and welfare services, ” the Red Cross said.

Dr. Beltejar puts hope on the virtual volunteer to be an invaluable resource to get Filipinos through especially during times when they need help the most. (ALT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)