Dr Alison Thompson has deployed over 30,000 volunteers to the world’s worst disaster zones – bringing humanitarian assistance and medical aid to over 18 million people.
It started on September 11, 2001, when as an investment banker, Alison rushed to New York’s World Trade Centre with her first aid kit. She stayed nine months, offering disaster relief arm-in-arm with ordinary, like-minded people.
Galvanising grassroots momentum, Alison founded Third Wave Volunteers – a global movement of first responder volunteers who bring relief to the world’s disaster and war zones, including Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. Following the 2004 tsunami, she set up the first Tsunami Early-Warning Centre and education museum which continues to thrive.
By mobilising everyday people, Alison is building resilience in local communities through sustainable, locally driven disaster prevention and recovery.
Drawing from her upbringing as a pastor’s child, Alison believes that each person’s small skills add up to drive big changes.
Talking Points
Volunteerism & Community Engagement
Why everyone is needed in disaster response.
Volunteerism & Community Engagement
Video
Everyone’s Needed, No Skills Required | Alison Thompson | TEDxCoconutGrove
Global humanitarian, Alison Thompson, shares her life-changing experiences providing disaster relief and how there are no limitations to how we all can help when it is needed. Alison Thompson is a full time humanitarian volunteer who has run refugee camps and field hospitals in every major natural disaster around the world, including Syria, for the past 18 years. In 2001 Alison's life changed direction after she rollerbladed to the WTC and worked as a first responder at Ground Zero. Following, Alison founded the 'Third Wave' volunteer' organization which has a network of over 30,000 volunteers and followers from all over the world. Born a preacher's daughter, she grew up on mission trips living in the jungles of Asia and in 2015 received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in the Humanities from Loyola University. She is the first official Ambassador to the Haitian Ministry of Environment and received the Order of Australia from Queen Elizabeth the 2nd in honor of her work for humanity. Her varied careers include math teacher, rescue paramedic, investment banker, film director and author.Meet your Australians - 2026 NSW Australian of the Year Dr Alison Thompson OAM
Dr Alison Thompson has deployed over 30,000 volunteers to the world’s worst disaster zones – bringing humanitarian assistance and medical aid to over 18 million people. It started on September 11, 2001, when as an investment banker, Alison rushed to New York’s World Trade Centre with her first aid kit. She stayed nine months, offering disaster relief arm-in-arm with ordinary, like-minded people. Galvanising grassroots momentum, Alison founded Third Wave Volunteers – a global movement of first responder volunteers who bring relief to the world’s disaster and war zones, including Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. Following the 2004 tsunami, she set up the first Tsunami Early-Warning Centre and education museum which continues to thrive. By mobilising everyday people, Alison is building resilience in local communities through sustainable, locally driven disaster prevention and recovery. Drawing from her upbringing as a pastor’s child, Alison believes that each person’s small skills add up to drive big changes.
