15 July 2005

Volunteerism and Prevention
Volunteerism is essential in preventing and reducing vulnerability to natural disasters. Early warning systems are one example where volunteerism helps to strengthen the resilience of communities. As part of the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) daily routine of weather observation, every day millions of farmers, fisherfolk, pilots and sea captains read hydrological and meteorological recorders, measure rainfall and test climatic conditions, and report their findings to the national authorities. More than 30,000 village volunteers work for the Bangladesh Red Cross and Red Crescent Society. Equipped with hand sirens, transistor radios, signal flags, first aid equipment and rescue kits, they are a communications channel relaying weather bulletins to some ten million people living in areas of high cyclone risk. Voluntary action by ordinary citizens is vital for the provision of accurate forecasting of weather patterns around the world.

Volunteerism and Response
Volunteerism also serves as an effective support system in the wake of a disaster. UN Volunteers served on the front line of a disaster mitigation and prevention programme developed by UNDP and the Government of India following the devastating cyclone in Orissa (1999) and the earthquake in Gujarat (2001). In 2003, in the aftermath of the worst flooding in Sri Lanka in 50 years, Indian UN Volunteers arrived within hours to provide relief alongside their Sri Lankan colleagues. The experience the volunteers from India had acquired in coordinating relief and rehabilitation activities - such as providing survivors with shelter, food and first aid, helping contain epidemics, rebuilding infrastructure and using ICT strategically - was shared effectively in Sri Lanka. The UN Volunteers helped authorities and communities in Sri Lanka assess damage, streamline information and distribute relief, acting as district-level focal points for local and international donor assistance.

Volunteerism and Reconstruction
Volunteering also plays a central role in post-disaster reconstruction efforts. In 1999, following Hurricane Mitch in Central America, the UNV country team in Nicaragua engaged with student volunteers to reconstruct settlements damaged by the hurricane. A continuing initiative conducted under the University Volunteer Service fosters solidarity and volunteer spirit among students of two national universities. An earthquake in El Salvador in 2001 saw the mobilization of significant numbers of local volunteers with financial support forthcoming from citizens of Kobe to match locally raised funds for school reconstruction. UNV acted as a bridge for channelling this assistance from people who could easily share the feelings of victims of a disaster occurring almost exactly six years after their own.