VSO International - an international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries

VSO is the world’s leading independent, international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries.

Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations, says "VSO is a model part of what we have come to know as civil society."

Update on Cyclone Nargis from VSO Thailand/Burma

Burma is again in crisis this week after Cyclone Nargis swept through the former capital, Rangoon, and surrounding coastal areas on 2 May. The miliary junta’s latest estimates place the death toll at more than 22,000, with a further 40,000 people missing. These figures are likely to prove conservative, with some agencies estimating that the final death toll may be as high as 100,000. Millions more have been left without shelter, food and water.

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Matan Hasda
Bangladeshi farmer

In Bangladesh, there are more than 45 indigenous (adibashi) communities. Adibashi are amongst the most marginalised in Bangladesh with a literacy rate of just 9% and most working as wage-labourers. One of the biggest challenges facing these communities is the issue of land grabbing, and many families – and in some cases, whole villages – are losing their land to non-indigenous people. Matan Hasda tells us his story.

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Volunteer Job of the week

Management Adviser - Malawi

The District AIDS Coordination Committee aims to alleviate the impact and spread of HIV and AIDS in Malawi, where one in ten of the population are HIV positive. As a volunteer with organisational development and strategic planning skills you'll help them manage their vital programmes more effectively.