Volunteerism and disasters: an extract from the 2011 state of the world’s volunteerism report

This paper, one in a series looking at the role and contribution of volunteerism in different thematic areas, focuses on the role of volunteer action in disaster risk reduction. It draws on growing empirical evidence that, contrary to common perceptions, the income poor are as likely to volunteer as those who are not poor. In doing so they utilize their assets, which include knowledge, skills and social networks, for the benefit of themselves, their families and their communities. These assets are extremely relevant in strengthening local capacity to address disasters and, on the broader front, to assist the more vulnerable to secure livelihoods and to enhance their physical, economic, spiritual and social well-being. This paper is an extract from the United Nation’s first State of the World’s Volunteerism Report, published by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme in December 2011.