A NEW Irish-based international disaster relief group was launched in Co Monaghan yesterday and members will be soon recruited, trained and dispatched to emergency situations across the world.
Rapid Ireland is a sister organisation of the Rapid UK NGO, a British charity that has 80 active volunteers after being formed 12 years ago.
The Irish Rapid (Rescue And Preparedness in Disasters) unit will also assist the British body in humanitarian missions and it hopes to benefit from the goodwill that exists towards Ireland internationally, said Director of Rapid Ireland, Amanda Clutterbuck.
Rapid Ireland was launched at Castle Leslie and the all-island initiative commemorated the Belfast Agreement, signed 10 years ago this month. Volunteers are being sought and Ms Clutterbuck said skilled professional backgrounds were not necessary, as search and rescue training is provided. She is putting €100,000 into Rapid Ireland and it will need up to €40,000 annually in running costs.