How can the use of modern means of communication help save lives? How can each Scout prepare to intervene to save his or her fellowman or woman during great natural or climatic disasters? During the earthquakes and Tsunamis that affected Thailand in December 2004, Haiti last year or more recently Japan, Scouts have shown that they know how to quickly and efficiently react. Scouts are often the key contact people for professionals that work in the field, thanks to their self-sacrifice and determination; they are often in the front line during disasters that affect their immediate environment.

To act accordingly to prepare youth to be confronted to difficult circumstances and reinforce the existing partnerships with National or International Humanitarian Organizations, the National Scout Organizations are invited to organize activities in partnership with locally active NGOs which operate in these three areas (Peace, Environment and Natural Disasters).

This years JOTA activity is enjoying the specialist support of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), material made available by the International Telecommunications Union ITU and the UN Refugee Agency ( UNHCR), as well as support from various amateur radio emergency communications teams. Representatives of these organizations can be involved at the National and local group level.

Why are Scouts always there first when disaster strikes? 
There are Scout groups nearly everywhere, well organized, with good contacts in the local community. The Scouts are usually trained in basic first-aid medical techniques, orienteering and they have the material that is needed to set up a temporary shelter real quick: tents, cooking material, construction material, it is all there, waiting for the next troop camp, or, yes, it can be used in case of emergency.

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