Retrospective Analysis Of Voluntary Organizations’ Role In Mitigating The Consequences Of Disasters

Abstract

The article presents a retrospective analysis of the role of charitable, voluntary organizations in mitigating natural disasters in different historical periods (imperial, Soviet and modern). The authors attempt to take a comprehensive look at the evolution of the institutionalization of volunteerism in Russia. They analyse charitable activities involving assistance to victims in natural emergencies during the imperial, Soviet and modern periods. The research employed general scientific methods, document, secondary analysis, event analysis and case studies. In conclusion, the authors find that the significance of charitable, voluntary initiatives in mitigating natural disasters has varied in different historical periods. In the imperial period, the charity was a widespread phenomenon. Lacking a state welfare system, assistance went through the institutions and forms of social assistance and support inherent in this era, where public initiatives played a predominant role. There were large-scale public and private donations to help people affected by natural disasters and catastrophes. During the Soviet period, state institutions took the lead in emergency management and had full control over post-disaster recovery activities. In this period, charitable initiatives (public and private) assisting people affected by the disasters virtually ceased to exist. It is possible to describe the current stage in the development of the charitable, voluntary movement in Russia as a renaissance. There is a certain institutionalization of volunteerism, with the creation of public volunteer organizations involved in humanitarian work. Today, one in six Russians engages in voluntary work.