Volunteerism and

Disasters
An extract from the 2011
State of the World’s Volunteerism Report
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that
contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide.

Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling

development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of
development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual
volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens,
and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation.

UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition

of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into
development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and
diversity of volunteers, including experienced UN Volunteers, throughout the
world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes
volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will,
commitment, engagement and solidarity.

The analysis and policy recommendations of this report do not necessarily

reflect the views of the United Nations Development Programme.

Citing of trade names or commercial processes does not constitute

endorsement.

UNV is administered by the

United Nations Development Programme
 Volunteerism
and Disasters
When facing the massive disasters which occurred in
Tohoku, everyone must have felt the vulnerability of human
beings to natural threats. Yet I believe the biggest power of
recovery comes from human beings. What one volunteer
can do is small, but what all of us can do is huge for recovery,
it creates a stronger power…After the initial media boom
people gradually forgot about the disaster, but the real
challenge for survivors has just begun. Their need may have
changed but there is still need for help. The true recovery can
come only after a long-term effort of everybody.
Khaliunaa, Japan tsunami volunteer from Mongolia

1
 VOLUNTEERISM AND DISASTERS

Introduction

Volunteerism is a basic expression of human The definition of volunteerism employed

relationships. It is about people’s need to in this paper is that adopted by the United
participate in their societies and to feel that Nations General Assembly in 2001 (resolution
they matter to others. It is infused with values 56/38). First, the action should be carried
including solidarity, reciprocity, mutual trust, out voluntarily, according to an individual’s
belonging and empowerment, all of which own free will and not as an obligation
contribute significantly to the well-being of stipulated by law, contract or academic
individuals, their communities and societies. requirement. Second, the action should not
People the world over engage in volunteerism be undertaken primarily for financial reward.
for a great variety of reasons: to help eliminate Third, the action should be for the common
poverty and improve basic health and good, benefitting directly or indirectly
education; to provide a safe water supply and people outside the family or household, or a
adequate sanitation; to tackle environmental cause, even though the person volunteering
issues and climate change; to combat social normally benefits as well.
exclusion and violent conflict; and to reduce
the risk of disasters – which is the subject Recognition of volunteerism has been
if this paper. Volunteerism also forms the growing in recent times, especially since
backbone of many national and international the United Nations proclaimed 2001 the
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and International Year of Volunteers, yet the
other civil society organizations as well as phenomenon is still largely misconstrued
social and political movements. It is present in and undervalued even though it is one of
the public sector and is increasingly a feature the principal channels for people to engage
of the private sector. in enhancing their own wellbeing. All too
often, the strong links between volunteer
BOX 1 : activity and peace and human development
are overlooked. Yet, as over 20 years of United
“Putting people at the centre of development is much more than an Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
intellectual exercise. It means making progress equitable and broad- Human Development Reports continuously
based, enabling people to be active participants in change”. note, people are the real wealth of a nation.
Source: UNDP (2010).

2
 An extract from the 2011 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report

Volunteerism and Disasters treating them as development issues. How to

reduce vulnerability to disasters, especially
This paper is an extract from the United for people living in poverty, is now a major
Nation’s first State of the World’s Volunteerism policy consideration in many countries.
Report, published by the United Nations The 2005 World Conference on Disaster
Volunteers programme in December 2011. Reduction gave considerable impetus to
It is one of a series looking at the role and this shift in thinking. The overarching goal
contribution of volunteerism in different of the conference’s outcome document, the
thematic areas. This paper focuses on the role Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015, is
of volunteer action in disaster risk reduction. to help build the resilience of nations and
It draws on growing empirical evidence communities to disasters. It recognized that
that, contrary to common perceptions, the the most effective resources for reducing
income poor are as likely to volunteer as vulnerability are community self-help
those who are not poor. In doing so they organizations and local networks. These are
utilize their assets, which include knowledge, also major channels for local expressions of
skills and social networks, for the benefit volunteerism.
of themselves, their families and their
communities. These assets are extremely Managing disasters efficiently and effectively
relevant in strengthening local capacity to begins and ends with communities. A key
address disasters and, on the broader front, term, widely used today, is “resilience” which
to assist the more vulnerable to secure encompasses the ability of communities to
livelihoods and to enhance their physical, prevent, prepare for, cope with, and recover
economic, spiritual and social well-being. from disasters. Those located in hazardous
environments are not helpless prospective
Volunteer action in response to disasters victims of events outside their control. They
is perhaps one of the clearest expressions may have limited livelihood options but,
of human values that underpin the drive given opportunities, they can engage in
to attend to the needs of others. It is also initiatives that reduce their vulnerability
among the most visible of the faces of
volunteerism. People’s immediate reaction Before a disaster
to a disaster is often to assist those directly
affected. In many instances, this takes place Increasingly, the aim of disaster programmes
spontaneously, outside any organized is to enhance prevention, mitigation and
setting. However, the contribution of preparedness, limiting the need for response
volunteerism extends far beyond immediate and recovery, and thus reducing loss of lives
response. Volunteer actions range across and livelihoods. These steps are known
the spectrum of disaster management, from collectively as Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
prevention through to preparedness and
mitigation, as well as response and recovery. BOX 2 : Good practices for community resilience
The nature and frequency of disasters
Particularly impressive is the level of volunteerism encountered and
is changing with climate change, rapid
the strength and commitment of the community-based organizations
urbanization, food insecurity and increasing
(CBOs) formed in the target communities. Their role in guiding the
numbers of conflicts. Valuable development
development and implementation of community-based development
progress over many years can be dramatically
plans …encourages cohesion and contributes to the sustainability of
wiped out by disasters. Growing awareness
community-based disaster management (CBDM).
of this connection has led to a move away
from dealing with disasters simply as Source: Ullah, Shahnaz & Van Den Ende (2009, p.6).
humanitarian emergencies and towards

3
 VOLUNTEERISM AND DISASTERS

and are today the focus of national and of volunteers and volunteer-involving
international efforts. Prevention involves organizations in these areas.3
eliminating the hazard or erecting a barrier
between the hazard and the community. In prevention and mitigation, as in other
Mitigation is protecting the elements at risk aspects of disasters, young people are very
prior to a disaster in order to minimize its active. In Nepal, volunteerism draws on
damaging effects. Preparedness concerns strong cultural and historical traditions.
measures taken in anticipation of a disaster The Development Volunteer Service was
including building readiness for the launched there in 2000. This built on the
emergency response and laying the basis for National Development Service, a successful
recovery. model of volunteerism in rural areas which
began in the 1970s. The scheme mainly
Prevention and mitigation of places students in projects in the mountain
disasters districts of Nepal and includes infrastructure
development, agriculture, and health
Prevention and mitigation actions include and sanitation activities. Since 2000, over
reforestation, watershed management, 7,000 volunteers have been deployed in
urban planning and zoning, improved 72 districts to work on disaster mitigation
infrastructure such as communications projects such as the building of seed banks,
and transportation, utilization of drought- toilet construction and water sanitation.
resistant seed, and improved construction
practices such as earthquake-resistant Through volunteer action, NGOs and local
housing. organizations can mobilize communities
and create community-based systems for
Changes in climate patterns are increasing disaster risk management. For example,
the vulnerability of communities, especially the Women’s Tree Planting and Caring
Volunteers
among the most vulnerable.2 Volunteers have Movement 2009 for Water Conservation
have a critical a critical role to play in creating awareness in Indonesia has involved several women’s
role to play about the sustainable management of organizations to plant over 30 million
in creating natural resources that can prevent and trees since 2007. In Sri Lanka, 26 youth
awareness mitigate the impact of disasters. leaders from the voluntary Peace Brigade
about the of Sarvodaya took their knowledge and
sustainable The First International Conference on training to 32 coastal villages, which had
management Volunteerism and Millennium Development all been battered by the 2004 Indian Ocean
of natural Goals held in 2004 in Islamabad, Pakistan, tsunami, and mobilized local Muslim,
resources that highlighted the role of volunteers in Sinhala and Tamil communities.4
can prevent disaster risk management. The conference
and mitigate emphasized the link between volunteerism During the 2008-2009 droughts in Syria,
the impact of and environmental sustainability in water volunteers from the International Federation
disasters and sanitation projects, forestry and natural of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies played
resource management. Grassroots initiatives a key role in supporting local communities
made an impact not only on ensuring in assessing vulnerability and capacity to
environmental sustainability but also on counter desertification.5 Here, as in other
improving local living conditions. This was drought-prone areas, communities have
especially true for women and girls who knowledge about hazards, vulnerabilities
benefited from improved water supplies. and resources available which can help
The conference called on governments disaster managers to take appropriate
to recognize the important contributions measures.6 Droughts in Africa are also being

4
 An extract from the 2011 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report

countered by building on local knowledge Preparing for disasters

mainstreamed into new technologies.
For example, the Southern Alliance for The preparedness stage is reached
Indigenous Resources and the Southern when, despite prevention and mitigation
African Drought Technology Network efforts, a disaster is about to occur. The
(SADNET) have facilitated voluntary peer- knowledge and capacities developed by
to-peer information exchanges between governments, professional response and
small-scale farmers and community-based recovery organizations, communities and
organizations to ease the effects of droughts individuals to anticipate, respond to, and
in Southern Africa. SADNET is a network that recover effectively from the impacts of likely,
brings together development practitioners imminent or current hazards are now put
involved in agricultural development. It to use.12 Actions may include risk analysis,
promotes indigenous knowledge systems
and addresses livelihood and food security
issues in communities in drought-prone BOX 3 : Volunteer early warning to save lives
areas through information-sharing.7
Natural disasters are common in Bangladesh. After a devastating
cyclone in 1970 that took half a million lives, the Bangladesh Red
Volunteers contribute in other significant
Crescent Society and the Bangladesh Government established the
ways to adaptation to new environments
Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) to strengthen disaster-
resulting from climate change8 through
management capacity in coastal communities. CPP relies on the
initiatives that are culturally sensitive and
technical skills and the commitment of volunteers to ensure that
locally accepted. In Australia, traditional
there is cyclone advance-warning.
practices of indigenous people, such as
controlled burning of vegetation, have
The programme comprises 2,845 units in 32 sub-districts, each
been adopted by rural fire services in
unit serving one or two villages of between 2,000 and 3,000
Wollondilly, southwest Sydney, as part of
people. Ten men and five women volunteers from each unit are
fire-risk reduction measures. One ethnic
appointed by the villagers and divided into groups to address
group, the D’harawal, have knowledge of
warning, shelter, rescue, first aid and food and clothing needs.
plants that warn of major bushfires well in
The volunteers receive training on cyclone behaviour, warning,
advance. Frances Bodkin, a D’harawal who
evacuation, shelter, rescue, first aid and relief operations. Around
predicted the New South Wales bushfires
160 volunteers have been trained as trainers who in turn have
in early 2002, spoke of how her people
equipped volunteers in their communities with these skills.
“followed the patterns of the native flora and
fauna to indicate how the seasons would
On 15 November 2007, category-4 Cyclone Sidr hit the south-west
behave”.9 The rural fire service consults with
coast of Bangladesh, claiming the lives of around 30,000 people.
the D’harawal and uses this knowledge
A cyclone of similar magnitude had killed 140,000 in 1991. The
to plan controlled burning activities.10
lower death toll in 2007 was partly attributed to the work of over
Volunteer contributions that build on local
40,000 trained volunteers who received advance warning and
knowledge are important to counteract
alerted communities through flags, megaphones, hand sirens
the trend identified by the United Nations
and the beating of drums. Data from the World Meteorological
Environment Programme whereby
Organization on the approaching cyclone were received by the
“indigenous knowledge has been either
volunteers through government services and local Red Crescent
eroded or ignored in the development of
offices. Volunteers also helped people to evacuate and find
these [early warning] systems. It needs to
cyclone-safe shelters, advised on safety and helped maintain order,
be revived, harnessed, documented and
showing high commitment to the programme and the people.
brought to the service of communities.”11
Source: The Government of Bangladesh (2008); Rashid (n.d.).

5
 VOLUNTEERISM AND DISASTERS

development of early warning systems, network was also involved in the response
public information, contingency planning, phase. It sent volunteers to help in the
stockpiling of supplies, and training and field response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
exercises.
Another manifestation of volunteerism in
Community Emergency Response Teams disasters involves the private sector. Ready
were set up following Hurricane Katrina When the Time Comes is a workplace
in the United States. These involved local volunteer programme launched by the
volunteers trained in disaster preparedness American Red Cross Society in 2006.
and response. They included neighbourhood Over 10,000 employees of 300 United
watch, community organizations, States companies have been trained as a
communities of faith, school staff, workplace community-based volunteer response force.
employees, scouting organizations and As a result, the capacity to respond to local
other groups.13 disasters increased by more than 40 per cent
between 2006 and 2010.16
Recognizing that volunteers from within
communities are the first line of response, Awareness and education should start from
Volunteers
the Government of India stresses the early childhood. In Nigeria, Volunteer School
from within importance of preparing local people. This Clubs are being established in the Federal
communities includes periodic drills that communities Capital Territory. This initiative, launched in
are the first line practise in advance of a disaster.14 To be 2010, recognizes the potential for children to
of response effective, these actions require volunteers play their part in DRR through volunteering
to come forward for training. The Hyogo in their schools and communities. It involves
Framework for Action highlighted the need educating school children so that they
to: “Promote community-based training can become agents of prevention and
initiatives, considering the role of volunteers, management in basic emergencies such as
as appropriate, to enhance local capacities fire, flooding and air pollution in schools,
to mitigate and cope with disasters.”15 homes and communities. The children are
expected to propagate the importance of
Beyond communities, there are many other building disaster-resilient communities.17
ways in which volunteerism is manifested in In Giang Province of Vietnam, in the lower
disaster preparation. In Mexico, a university Mekong basin, school projects on disaster
network (UNIRED) was established in 1997 preparedness were implemented in 2006
to mobilize volunteers from universities to by the Department of Education and
collect and share information on hazard Training. These raised awareness among
scenarios throughout the country and children about school flood safety, provided
abroad. The network taps into more than swimming lessons, and established “child-to-
60 Mexican universities and has links child” clubs in which children can volunteer
with governments, the private sector and under the supervision of teachers.
international organizations outside the
country. Volunteers are in charge of all Responding to disasters
initiatives, recruiting other volunteers,
training them, designing and implementing The image of volunteerism in the immediate
risk assessment, and coordinating aftermath of a disaster, often perpetuated by
humanitarian aid collection. In 2010, the media, is first the spontaneous reaction
UNIRED helped to address the effects of, from people living in, or close by, the affected
and subsequent response to, Hurricane Alex area. This is usually framed in a positive
and flooding in Chiapas State, Mexico. The light, reflecting altruism and concern for

6
 An extract from the 2011 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report

one’s neighbour. It is frequently followed

BOX 4 : Christchurch earthquake: volunteers of all types
by an influx of foreign personnel including
many volunteers. In this scenario, local On 22 February 2011, an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the
and national expressions of volunteerism Richter scale wreaked havoc in Christchurch, New Zealand. The
are usually overlooked.18 In one sense, devastation lead to an outpouring of solidarity expressed through
this is positive as it draws attention to the volunteerism. Canterbury University Student Volunteer Army, a
power of volunteerism. For example, “the 10,000-strong, self-organized student workforce, assisted with
unprecedented humanitarian response to clearing liquefaction sludge around homes and with disseminating
the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake involving information.
hundreds and thousands of volunteers has
led to the recognition of the important role The students used a web-based platform to organize volunteers
of trained volunteers in emergency response, by updating job positions, taking notes in the field, and sending
better coordination mechanisms and an photos with iPhones donated by Apple, and data cards from
increase in grassroots organizations which Vodaphone, 2Degree and Telecom. These communications
has continued to support the reconstruction companies also offered volunteers a no-cost SMS emergency
and longer-term development efforts.19 short code and prepaid top-ups. Twitter, Flickr and Facebook
offered channels for people to request and offer assistance and
However, from this perspective local to gather data on information. A group of farmers, the Farmy
communities are seen as experiencing Army, volunteered alongside students to clear hard-hit parts of
disasters as victims only and not as proactive the city and deliver meals to affected residents. Other volunteer
volunteers.20 The evidence points to a contributions ranged from 1,500 sandwiches prepared for rescue
different reality. The first respondents in workers and volunteers by low-security prisoners to advice
many disasters are not trained emergency provided by professional architects and urban designers who
personnel but rather local residents and volunteered to help rebuild the city. Beyond the affected area,
neighbours.21 Many actions are spontaneous. students in Auckland raised funds for the victims while residents in
When volunteers are untrained, or their Dunedin and Wellington offered accommodation.
actions uncoordinated, they may actually
Sources: 3 News (n.d.); MacManus (2011, February 21).
cause harm to themselves, for example by
entering collapsing buildings or they may
impede organized rescue work, for example
by blocking access roads. Yet many people National volunteers from outside the affected
who are involved in local community-based communities also have a valuable role to
or national NGOs combine local knowledge play. They provide a direct, trustworthy
and experience with essential training. connection between people directly hit
Response entails not only saving lives but and other stakeholders. They are also a “vital
also reducing health risks, ensuring public link between the informal resources of the
safety, and meeting subsistence needs of community as a whole and the more focused
affected people. People at local level are resources of established government
best placed to identify their immediate agencies, such as police, fire and medical
emergency response needs and contribute services”.24 This applies particularly to so-
to local decision-making for the future.22 called “permanent volunteers”25 who are
They can also provide valuable insights highly trained and readily available for large-
into community needs, bringing trust and scale crises. In some countries, the use of such
a human touch to affected families as part volunteers is increasing rapidly. In China, as
of the healing process.23 The combination of 2006 there were an estimated 100 million
of local people with those who have the trained volunteers many of whom were
necessary skills can be particularly effective registered with three major organizations:
when mobilized rapidly. the Communist Youth League, the Red

7
 VOLUNTEERISM AND DISASTERS

Cross and Civil Administration.26 Permanent Haiti earthquake, Ushahidi in Nairobi

volunteers are especially valuable in hazards and a technology partner, Frontline SMS,
resulting from less visible disasters such as developed a code (9636) for use by people
health pandemics. in need anywhere in Haiti. People could send
text messages to that number free of charge
In some cases, governments have so the appropriate response group could
established national volunteer schemes. be deployed to assist. This facility made it
Following a major earthquake in Pakistan possible to identify injuries, lost family and
in 2005, a national agency to coordinate friends, trapped individuals, dead bodies,
and support volunteerism-related activities, orphaned children and water needs.28 In
the National Volunteer Movement (NVM), the case of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake
was established to serve as a focal point in China, the response was accelerated by
for national volunteering activities. Its the sharing of maps of areas in the province
long-term objectives are: to train a pool needing assistance. These were transmitted
of first respondents; to provide support in by thousands of volunteers online.29
disaster situations; to promote volunteerism
in government agencies; to facilitate A smaller, more personal, effort was
cooperation in volunteerism between the apparent when Mount Merapi in Central
public and private sectors and civil society; Java, Indonesia, erupted in 2010. A nearby
and to enhance public recognition of community used Twitter to help its response.
volunteerism. It has a core group of around The Twitter account was part of a broader
17,000 volunteers and coordinates a further information network that began with a
80,000. During flash floods in 2010, the NVM community radio called Jalin Merapi set
undertook massive volunteer mobilization. up to track signs of volcanic eruptions. The
The floods were the worst in recorded history news agency Reuters reported that: “Jalin
of Pakistan, killing over 1,750 people and Merapi has helped shelters that are unable to
affecting some 20 million. The NVM acted as receive government aid by deploying about
a link between the government and NGOs.27 700 volunteers who report by tweeting
specific aid needs.”30 “The community
The connection between volunteerism and announced they needed help to provide
disaster related technology is growing. A meals for 30,000 people and the food was
system called Ushahidi was developed in ready in four hours.”31 While there is no way
2008 to map the post-election violence to verify the accuracy of information shared
and peace efforts in Kenya. It has since through such channels, in times of crisis
been utilized in a variety of humanitarian, people use the technology with which they
development and disaster relief efforts are comfortable. In this case, it was Twitter.32
including in the earthquakes in Chile and
Haiti in 2010. Volunteers monitor and map In many countries, volunteer-based fire
incoming reports from various media services are an example of how people
sources including information from Twitter, engage in volunteerism to strengthen local
Facebook, blogs and traditional media capacities to respond to disasters. Volunteer
such as radio, print and television. Crisis fire brigades tend to be highly reliable
locations are identified and volunteers can and respected all over the world. Surveys
reach them more quickly. The technology conducted in Chile place firemen among the
was initially developed to give cell-phone institutions most trusted by Chileans, ahead
users the ability to send text messages of the police and the Catholic Church.33
about locations and events. The messages Brazil’s first volunteer fire brigade, the first in
appear in a web-based map. During the Latin America, dates back to 1892.34

8
 An extract from the 2011 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report

Recent years have seen increasing numbers affiliated volunteers provided their help in the
of volunteers from outside affected countries spirit of gotong royong, or working together.
willing to volunteer in disaster-related Volunteers play a vital role in disaster
activities.35 This can pose new challenges. response. Yet their capacity should be further
For example, in the case of the 2010 Haiti strengthened. Governments should rely on
earthquake, difficulties were encountered them as a resource in integrated disaster
in managing the hundreds of doctors and management and not treat them as a stand-
nurses who volunteered and whose skills alone component.38
were often under-utilized.36 Other challenges
include unfamiliarity with the environment Volunteerism and recovery
and surroundings37 and lack of cultural
sensitivity and language skills. However, The number of people from outside affected
when well-organized, this contribution is communities who volunteer falls sharply
effective and much appreciated. During after the immediate response phase is over.
the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and the In one study of NGOs engaged in disaster
subsequent earthquakes of 2005 and 2006, recovery efforts, 64 per cent used volunteer
the Indonesian response to the emergency services for 12 weeks or less in the aftermath
received a massive contribution from of the crisis.39 Yet, as the United Nations
volunteers. This was both structured, from the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
government, international and national NGOs states: “The recovery task of rehabilitation
and community groups, and unstructured. and reconstruction begins soon after the
Thousands of other spontaneous, non- emergency phase has ended and should

BOX 5 : Early response in Haiti

The Cascos Blancos (White Helmets) Initiative was launched by the Government of Argentina in 1993 and endorsed by
the United Nations General Assembly in 1994. It provides opportunities for volunteers from Latin America and other
regions to assist in post-disaster relief and recovery efforts. The scheme engages in emergency-response missions
globally. Within 72 hours of a disaster, it can call on over 4,000 highly trained volunteers from other developing countries
to serve with United Nations agencies and in partnership with the United Nations Volunteers programme.

Following the earthquake in Haiti in January 2010, Cascos Blancos deployed 37 volunteers from Argentina, Paraguay
and Uruguay to help in the immediate response as well as in long-term recovery, especially in the area of health. The
team of volunteers mobilized by Cascos Blancos comprised doctors, nurses and paramedics as well as firefighters and
experts in supply management and logistics.

They carried with them medical supplies, sanitation facilities, food, seeds, tents and mobile communications devices
to help with the immediate response to the earthquake. The volunteers worked mainly in Leogane, a city at the
epicenter of the earthquake, 40 kilometers from Port-au-Prince. They worked in collaboration with the Pan American
Health Organization and were supported operationally by UNV.

Following the success and recognition of the volunteers’ work by the Pan American Health Organization, the United
Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti and the Haitian Government, more Cascos Blancos volunteers were later
mobilized to provide further support in the Dominican Republic border town of Jimani and in the Haitian town of
Fond Parisien.

Source: Carlos Eduardo Zaballa, [Coordinator United Nations-White Helmets Commission, Argentina], Online Communication (2011, July 25).

9
 VOLUNTEERISM AND DISASTERS

be based on pre-existing strategies and resource in the aftermath of disaster,” argues

policies that facilitate clear institutional Zhao Yandong from the Chinese Academy of
responsibilities for recovery action and Science and Technology for Development.42
enable public participation.”40
A review of the post-tsunami disaster in
During the recovery phase of a disaster, Indonesia in 2004 noted that: “Relief and
the attention of national authorities and recovery efforts will be more effective if
donors tends to be on rebuilding essential they identify, use and strengthen existing
physical infrastructure: bridges, roads, social capital: community-based skills,
Communities power lines and buildings. These are vital for programmes and networks. The community-
with more people to sustain their livelihoods, often in driven approach to post-disaster recovery,
trust, civic situations of extreme vulnerability. However, which builds on this social capital, requires
engagement this focus ignores social infrastructure. significant investments of time and human
and stronger Growing empirical research indicates resources but results in greater client
networks have that communities with more trust, civic satisfaction, more rapid disbursement and
engagement and stronger networks, which local empowerment.”43
a better chance
are largely volunteer-based, have a better
of recovering
chance of recovering after a disaster than It is widely accepted that, after disasters,
after a disaster
fragmented, isolated ones.41 Indeed, “social there is a need to address the damage not
networks may be the most dependable only to physical infrastructure but also to

BOX 4 : Disaster recovery and the gotong royong spirit

The major earthquakes that occurred off the coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia, in 2004 and 2005, and the
resulting tsunami, caused great loss of life and damage to property, especially in the provinces of Aceh and Nias.
International donor support included a grant of 291 million US dollars to the Government of Indonesia by the Asian
Development Bank for the Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project to help restore basic public services
and infrastructure and to facilitate economic revival in the affected regions. The project placed strong emphasis
on the involvement of local communities at all stages. The irrigation component, for example, was a vital part of
restoring rural livelihoods. The rehabilitation and reconstruction of the lower-level canal systems was undertaken
through community water-user organizations drawing on the well-established tradition of gotong royong volunteer
labour. The success of the initiative demonstrated that, with appropriate external expert and financial support, local
communities are able to undertake substantial infrastructure work effectively even when traumatized by a major
natural disaster and decades-long internal conflict, as was the case in Aceh.

Source: Seyler, Personal Communication (2011, July 14).

10
 An extract from the 2011 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report

social infrastructure.44 The Hyogo Framework The Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015
for Action 2005-2015 highlighted the “spirit is subtitled “Building the resilience of nations
of volunteerism” as a basis for building and communities to disasters”.45 This is a
mechanisms and appropriate interventions. clear recognition of the role of communities
This “spirit” lies is what moves people to come and, in particular, volunteer action by
together to help one another in the recovery community members. The Hyogo Framework
period as in other phases of the disaster also contains various recommendations for
cycle. It contributes greatly to bringing back providing disaster education and training
hope and confidence to communities as for people at the local level. They should go
livelihoods are rebuilt. a long way to ensuring that the power of
volunteerism to reduce vulnerabilities and
Conclusions and discussions increase resilience to disasters is drawn upon.

Communities have always faced disasters

and volunteerism has always been present
in preparing for and coping with them.
With growing focus in recent years on
the development and implementation
of strategic approaches to disasters,
including building on the connections
with development, volunteerism needs
to be fully included in the discourse. This
paper has drawn attention to the various
ways people volunteer at the preparation,
mitigation, response and recovery stages of
disasters: spontaneously at community level;
in organized ways with associations and
organizations at local and national levels;
and through international programmes.
It has also underlined that volunteer
involvement helps ensure that fundamental
values of solidarity and a sense of common
destiny, values that add immeasurably to
the resilience of communities, are reflected
in strategies and programmes to reduce
disaster risk.

11
 VOLUNTEERISM AND DISASTERS
state of the World’s volunteerism report 2011

Notes References

1 Peaceboatvoices, 2011 3 News. (2011, February 23). Christchurch Government of India, Ministry of Home
2 World Bank, 2009 quake: Live updates. Retrieved 20 August Affairs – National Disaster Management
3 UNV, 2005 2011 fromhttp://www.3news.co.nz/ Division. (2004). Disaster management
4 Gunawardene & Noronha (Eds,), 2007, p. 90 Christchurch-quake-live-updates/ in India [Status report]. Retrieved 1 July
5 IFRC, 2009 tabid/423/articleID/199401/Default.aspx 2011 from http://www.ndmindia .nic.
6 Brennan, Barnett & Flint, 2005 in/EQProjects/Disaster%20Managem
7 SAFIRE, 2011, April 7 Aldrich, D. P. (2008). The crucial role of civil ent%20in%20India%20-%20A%20Status
8 World Bank, 2006 society in disaster recovery and Japan‘s %20Report%20-%20August%202004.pdf
9 Porritt (Ed.), 2008, p. 17 emergency preparedness. Journal of
10 Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2003 Current Japanese Affairs, 3, 81-96. Government of Nepal, Ministry of Finance.
11 UNEP, 2005, p. 13 (2011). 7. Poverty alleviation and
12 UNISDR, 2009 Australian Broadcasting Corporation. (2003). employment. Retrieved 12 June
13 Brennan, Barnett & Flint, 2005 The lost seasons. Retrieved 17 February 2011 from http://www.mof.gov.np/
14 Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs - 2011 from http://www.abc. net.au/ publication/budget/2010/pdf/chapter7.
National Disaster Management Division, 2004 science/features/indigenous/default.htm pdf
15 UNISDR, 2005a, January, p. 15
16 News-Medical.net, 2010, April 24 Bonnefoy, P. (2010, September 30). Chile: Gunawardene, N., & Noronha, F. (Eds.). (2007).
17 Imam, 2010 Fighting fires for free. Global Post. Communicating disasters: An Asia Pacific
18 IFRC, 2005 Retrieved 7 April 2011 from http://www. resource book. Bangkok, Thailand: United
19 UNDP and UNV, forthcoming globalpost.com/dispatch/chi le/100928/ Nations Development Programme
20 Brennan, Barnett & Flint, 2005 volunteer-firefighters (UNDP) Regional Centre in Bangkok and
21 Perrow, 2007 TVE Asia Pacific
22 UNV, 2005 Brennan, M. A., Barnett, R. V., & Flint, C. G.
23 Fernandez, Barbera & van Dorp, 2006 (2005). Community volunteers: The Imam, N. (2010). Nigeria: FCT launches disaster
24 Britton, 1991, p. 396 front line of disaster response. Journal of risk reduction volunteer clubs for schools.
25 Britton, 1991, p. 397 Volunteer administration, 23(4), 52-56. Retrieved 7 April 2011 from http://
26 China Daily, 2009, May 11 allafrica.com/stories/20101125064
27 NVM, 2010 Britton, N. R. (1991). Permanent disaster 5.html
28 The Morningside Post, 2010, March 2; volunteers: Where do they fit? Nonprofit
Rasmussen, 2010, November 17 and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 20(4), International Federation of Red Cross and
29 UNDP and UNV, forthcoming 395- 414. Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). (2005).
30 Chatterjee & Katyal, 2011, November 22, para. 6 Humanitarian media coverage in the
31 Chatterjee & Katyal, 2011, November 22, para. 14 Chatterjee, N., & Katyal, S. (2010, November digital age. In IFRC (Ed.), World disasters
32 Shaikh, 2010, November 22 22). Indonesians beat slow disaster relief report 2005. Geneva, Switzerland: IFRC
33 Bonnefoy, 2010, September 30 by tweeting. Reuters. Retrieved 14 July
34 Voluntersul, 2009 2011 from http://www.reuters.com/ International Federation of Red Cross and
35 Suzuki, 2006 article/2010/11/22/us-indonesiavolcano- Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). (2009).
36 Merchant, Leigh & Lurie, 2010 twitter idUSTRE6AL1Q820101122 Syria: Droughts [Information Bulletin
37 Mitchell, Maguire & Guidotti, 2006 No.1]. Geneva, Switzerland: IFRC.
38 UNDP Indonesia, 2009, July 27 China Daily. (2009, May 11). V. Public
39 Simo & Bies, 2007, p. 138 participation in disaster reduction Leitmann, J. (2007). Cities and calamities:
40 UNISDR, 2009, p. 10 [Full text: China’s actions for disaster Learning from post-disaster response
41 Aldrich, 2008; Nakagawa & Shaw, 2004 prevention and reduction]. Retrieved 7 in Indonesia. Journal of Urban Health:
42 Zhao, 2010, p. 2 April 2011 from http://www2.chinadaily. Bulletin of the New York Academy of
43 Leitmann, 2007, p. i148 com. cn/china/2009-05/11/content_ Medicine, 84(Suppl 1), 144-153. doi:
44 Aldrich, 2008 7763883_6.htm 10.1007/s11524-007-9182-6
45 UNISDR, 2005b, p. 1
Fernandez, L. S., Barbera, J. A., & van Dorp, MacManus, R. (2011, February 21). #EQNZ:
J. R. (2006). Strategies for managing The Web mobilizes for New Zealand
volunteers during incident response: A earthquake. Retrieved 20 August 2011
systems approach. Homeland Security from http://www.crowdsourcing.org/
Affairs, 2(3), 1-15. document/eqnz-the-web-mobilizes-for-
new-zealand-earthquake/2741

12
 REFERENCES

Merchant, R. M., Leigh, J. E., & Lurie, N. (2010). Rashid, H. (n.d.). Cyclone Preparedness The Morningside Post. (2010, March 2).
Health care volunteers and disaster Programme (CPP). Retrieved 19 July 2011 Call for volunteers for Ushahidi crisis
response – first, be prepared. New from http://www.iawe.org/WRDRR_ mapping. The Morningside Post.
England Journal of Medicine, 362(10), Bangladesh/Preprints/S4CPP.pdf Retrieved 3 May 2011 from http://
872- 873. themorningsidepost.com/2010/03 /
Rasmussen, E. (2010, November 17). crisis-mapping-in-chile-sipa-takes-
Mitchell, C. S., Maguire, B. J., & Guidotti, T. Lessons From Haiti: The power of leadon- ushahidi-earthquake-response/
L. (2006). Worker health and safety in community and a new Approach
disaster response. In G. Ciottone, P. D. to disaster management. Solutions. The Jakarta Post. (2009, December 2).
Anderson, E. A. D. Heide, R. G. Darling, I. Retrieved 2 February 2011 from http://the Women’s tree planting movement
Jacoby, E. Noji & S. Suner (Eds.), Disaster solutionsjournal.com/node/807 launched. The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 9
medicine (pp. 157-163). Philadelphia, PA: March 2011 from http://www.thejakarta
Mosby Inc. Shaikh, A. (2010, November 22). Tweeting post.com/news/2009/12/02/women039s
Mount Merapi: A new kind of disaster -tree-planting-movement-launched.html
Nakagawa, Y., & Shaw, R. (2004). Social capital: response. UN DISPATCH. Retrieved 20
A missing link to disaster recovery. April 2011 from http://www.undispatch Ullah B., Shahnaz F., & Van Den Ende, P.
International Journal of Mass Emergencies .com/twitter-mount-mirapi (2009). Good practices for community
and Disasters, 22(1), 5-34. resilience. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Practical
Silwal, B., & Messerschmidt, D. (2008). Action- Bangladesh
National Development Volunteer Service Traditions of volunteerism & civic service
(NDVS). (2011). Background of NDVS. in Nepal. Retrieved 30 May 2011 from United Nations Development Programme
Retrieved 30 May 2011 from http://www. http://www.ecs.com.np/feature_detail.p (UNDP) China and United Nations
ndvs.gov.np hp?f_id=129 Volunteers (UNV) China. (forthcoming).
State of volunteerism in China 2011:
National Volunteer Movement (NVM). (2010). Simo, G., & Bies, A. L. (2007). The role of Engaging people through ideas,
News & updates. Retrieved 17 February nonprofits in disaster response: An innovation and inspiration. Beijing, China:
2011 from http://www.nvm.org.pk/ expanded model of cross-sector UNDP & UNV.
NEWS/index.html collaboration. Public Administration
Review, 67(18), 125-142. United Nations Development Programme
News-Medical.Net. (2010, April 24). Cisco (UNDP) Indonesia. (2009, July 27). BNPB,
joins Red Cross “Ready When the Time Southern Alliance for Indigenous Resources UNDP and UNV promote volunteerism for
Comes” corporate volunteer program. (SAFIRE). (2011, April 7). About Safire. better disaster management. Retrieved
News- Medical.Net. Retrieved 12 March Retrieved 27 May 2011 from http://www. 14 July 2011 from http://www.undp.
2011 from http://www.news-medical. safireweb.org/index.php?opt or.id /press/view.asp?FileID=20090727-
net/ news/20100424/Cisco-joins-Red- 1&lang=en
Cross- Ready-When-the-Time-Comes- Suzuki, I. (2006). Roles of volunteers in
corporatevolunteer- program.aspx disaster prevention: Implications of United Nations Development Programme
questionnaire and interview surveys. In (UNDP). (2010). Human Development
Peaceboatvoices (2011). Voices from the S. Ikeda, T. Fukuzono & T. Sato (Eds.), A Report (HDR) 2010. The real wealth of
ground: 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake better integrated management of disaster nations: Pathways to human development
& Tsunami Peace Board Emergency Relief risks: Toward resilient society to emerging (20th anniversary ed.). New York, NY:
Operation. Retrieved 9 September 2011 disaster risks in mega-cities (pp. 153-163). UNDP.
from http://peaceboatvoices. wordpress. Tokyo, Japan: TERRAPUB & NIED.
com/2011/08/15/khaliunaa/ United Nations Environment Programme
The Government of Bangladesh (2008). (UNEP). (2005). Environmental
Perrow, C. (2007). The next catastrophe: Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh: Damage, loss management and disasters preparedness:
Reducing our vulnerabilities to natural, and needs assessment for disaster recovery Building a multi-stakeholder partnership.
industrial, and terrorist disasters. and reconstruction. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Retrieved 15 May 2011 from http://
Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. The Government of Bangladesh. www.unep.or.jp/ietc/Publications/ DM/
wcdr_session_report.pdf
Porritt, K. (Ed.) (2008). Indigenous
Collaboration. Callaghan, Australia: The
University of Newcastle. www.newcastle.
edu.au/school/wollotuka

13
 VOLUNTEERISM AND well-being

United Nations International Strategy for United Nations Volunteers (UNV). (2005). World Bank. (2009). Building resilient
Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). (2005a, Disaster risk reduction, governance and communities: Risk management and
January). Report of the World Conference volunteerism. Bonn, Germany: UNV. response to natural disasters through
on Disaster Reduction, Hyogo, Japan (A/ social funds and community-driven
Conf.206/6). Retrieved 17 June 2011 from Voluntersul. (2009). Bombeiros Voluntarios do development operations. Retrieved 20
http://www.unisdr.org/ eng/hfa/docs/ Rio Grande do Sul 2009. Retrieved 7 April April 2011 from http://siteresources.
final-report-wcdrenglish. Doc 2011 from http://www.voluntersul.com worldbank.org/INTSF/Resources/
.br/index.php?option=com_content&vie Building _Resilient_Communities_
United Nations International Strategy for w=article&id=48&Itemid=55 Complete.pdf
Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). (2005b).
Hyogo framework for action 2005-2015: World Bank. (2006). Not if but when: Adapting Zhao, Y. (2010). Social Networks and reduction
Building the resilience of nations and to natural hazards in the Pacific Island of risk in disasters: An example of
communities to disasters. New York, NY: region: A policy note.Washington, DC: Wenchuan earthquake. Retrieved 14 July
UNISDR. World Bank. 2011 from http://www.kent.ac.uk/ scarr/
events/beijingpapers/ZhaoYandon gPpr.
United Nations International Strategy for pdf
Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). (2009).
Terminology on disaster risk reduction.
Retrieved 23 April 2011 from http://
www.unisdr.org/eng/terminology/
UNISDR-terminology-2009-eng.pdf

14
UNV CONTACT DETAILS

For general information about UNV please contact:

United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Postfach 260 111
D-53153 Bonn
Germany
Telephone: (+49 228) 815 2000
Fax: (+49 228) 815 2001
Email: information@unvolunteers.org

Internet: www.unvolunteers.org
UNV Facebook page: www.facebook.com/unvolunteers
UNV YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/unv

UNV Office in New York

Two United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017, U.S.A.
Telephone: (+1 212) 906 3639
Fax: (+1 212) 906 3659
Email: RONA@unvolunteers.org

For information about becoming a UN Volunteer, please visit

the UNV website:
www.unvolunteers.org

For more information about the UNV Online Volunteering

service, please visit:
www.onlinevolunteering.org

© United Nations Volunteers, 2012

Published by: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Designed by: Baseline Arts, United Kingdom; Shubh Chakraborty (cover idea)
Printed by: Phoenix Design Aid, Denmark

This publication is reproduced online. The full 2011 State of the World’s
Volunteerism Report is available to print in Arabic, Chinese, English, French,
Russian and Spanish. Please visit: www.unvolunteers.org/swvr2011

Permission is required to reproduce any part of this publication.

ISBN: 978-92-95045-62-0
United Nations publication
Printed in Denmark ISBN: 978-92-95045-62-0