March 14, 2018 
Mr. Christopher Turpin 
Acting Vice President  
for News and Editorial Director 
National Public Radio 
1111 North Capitol Street NE 
Washington, DC 20002   
 
Sent by e-mail to cturpin@npr.org 
 
Dear Mr. Turpin,  
 
I write to you on behalf of Health Justice for Peace Corps Volunteers (HJPCV) with 
a formal request from this organization and the thousands of Peace Corps 
Volunteers it represents.  HJPCV’s mission is to advocate on behalf of sick and 
injured Volunteers to obtain the support and benefits to which we are entitled by 
law.  Since our establishment as an NPCA-affiliated organization, we have heard 
from countless Volunteers who have become sick and injured from their Peace 
Corps service and are unable to access healthcare services, care, and treatment. 
HJPCV tirelessly advocates for Volunteers in the field and those who have 
returned from their service. 
 
HJPCV condemns sexual assault and harassment and supports all survivors, and 
more specifically, Volunteers who have been unfortunately exposed to such 
experiences. Sexually harassed and assaulted Volunteers often contact us with 
requests for assistance surrounding recommended psychologists, completing and 
submitting Department of Labor (DOL) Federal Employee Compensation Act 
(FECA) forms, and accessing an understanding support group.  HJPCV recognizes 
that the #MeToo movement has been a crucial political and historic movement to 
ensure that sexual harassment and assault are taken seriously in all professional 
environments, especially within Peace Corps. 
 
 
 
SUPPORTING THOSE WHO SERVE 
 

 

                  www.healthjusticeforpeacecorpsvolunteers.com                            healthjusticepeacecorpsvols@gmail.com 

 

                     
  
 

 

http://tinyurl.com/HealthJustice4PCVs 

 As the Founder and Director of HJPCV, I have also heard from countless 
Volunteers who have suffered and continue to suffer from exposure to the antimalarial prophylaxis, mefloquine, also known as Lariam.  I and others in this group 
strive to support and assist them with understanding symptoms, suggesting ways 
to access medical care, and connecting them with others who are similarly 
affected.  The resulting community of Volunteers who have been adversely 
affected by this drug has become one of the limited safe environments from 
which to discuss alarming symptoms, potential healthcare specialists, and 
treatment options.  This story has the potential to positively influence the 
narrative surrounding the circumstances with which Volunteers are confronted 
when returning from service sick and injured and could create a broader 
community of support that is currently lacking. 
 
When sick and injured Volunteers return from service, either prematurely or with 
a completed service record of over two years, there exists no official platform 
from which to hold Peace Corps accountable.  As an example, in 2017, a 
Volunteer, with the support of five additional Volunteers and accompanying 
affidavits, filed a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel to instigate an 
official and neutral third-party investigation into Peace Corps’ use of mefloquine.  
This request to access an independent investigation was denied as Returned 
Volunteers are not considered former federal employees. Beyond this rejection, 
several other actions were taken to hold Peace Corps accountable to no avail.   
 
Fortunately, this NPR story has been developed and exists as a mechanism with 
which to hold Peace Corps, a federal agency, accountable for the health, safety, 
and security of Volunteers in the field and upon return from service.  HJPCV’s 
understanding is that the allegations against the reporter do not extend to the 
substance nor creation of this important story and the potential platform this 
story could create for sick and injured Volunteers who selflessly and patriotically 
serve their country.  The potential influence of this story to save the life of just 
one Volunteer and raise awareness related to the health, safety, and security of 
all Volunteers largely outweighs the unfortunate set of circumstances that 
surround this story. HJPCV unequivocally would like to have this story air 
unadulterated in its current form as soon as possible. 
 
Sincerely,  
 

 

  

 /electronically signed/ 
 
Dr. Nancy E. Tongue 
RPCV, Chile 1980 – 1982   
Founder and Director of 
Health Justice for Peace Corps Volunteers 
HealthJusticePeaceCorpsVols@gmail.com