International development charity VSO has become the 22nd member of NetHope, an information technology consortium of leading non-governmental organizations specializing in humanitarian relief, emergency response and conservation.

VSO is the world’s leading independent, international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. VSO's high impact approach involves bringing people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action, and change lives to make the world a fairer place for all.

NetHope enables members to extend their communications infrastructure and internet-based applications in developing countries around the world. Members share knowledge and collaborate on ICT solutions, leveraging their power for capacity building and creating best practices in the field.

Alison Corfield, VSO's Head of International IT said: "We have been eagerly waiting to join the NetHope consortium, because we want the opportunity to share expertise with others in the field. VSO is all about sharing skills to provide benefit for all involved. We also expect that our membership will bring VSO some very real benefits. Better access to technology overseas will aid both VSO and our partner organisations' ability to facilitate international skill share and strengthen those organisations serving communities in need."

NetHope CEO Bill Brindley said: "It is our profound pleasure to welcome VSO to the NetHope family of global ICT professionals. Their addition adds to our members' collective capacity, which will serve to enhance NetHope's unique ability to deliver value to make the humanitarian sector more effective and productive as it serves those in greatest need.”

For more information about NetHope or VSO visit www.vsointernational.org or www.nethope.org

For information about VSO please contact Abigail Fulbrook on +44 (0)208 780 7410 or abigail.fulbrook@vso.org.uk

About NetHope

NetHope, Inc., which started in 2001, is a new-generation collaboration of IT professionals from 22 of the international community’s leading non-governmental organisations (NGOs) representing over $30 billion (USD) of emergency relief, human development and conservation programs in more than 150 countries. Through member collaboration and by facilitating public-private partnerships with major technology companies, NetHope enables members to leverage their technology investments to better serve their end beneficiaries.