Disaster Relief Volunteers Research Articles

Examining the effectiveness of a training program on improving knowledge, functional skills, and attitude in natural disaster volunteers.

Disaster relief volunteers must have certain psychological and cognitive characteristics. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the training program on improving knowledge, functional skills, and attitude among disaster volunteers. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2023 in Iran, including an intervention and control group and follow-ups. Ninety health volunteers were randomly selected and divided into two groups of 45. The experimental group received the training program for an hour a week for three months. The control group received no intervention. The participants of both groups completed the disaster preparedness questionnaire at the pre-test, post-test, and one and three months after the intervention. Data was analyzed using SPSS "version 26" software in the methods section. The intervention effect were significant in increasing the volunteers' functional skills (F = 3.75), knowledge (F = 166.50), and attitude (F = 1.74), all in (p = 0.001). According to the results, this effect was stable over time for functional skills (F = 1.83) and knowledge (F = 18.04) all in (p < 0.05). Training programs can help improve skills, attitudes and knowledge in natural disaster volunteers. Researchers interested in the field of natural disaster relief, particularly health researchers, could consider further examining the aforementioned topics in their studies.

Examining the effects of the local communities’ social capital on disaster response capacity in Seoul, South Korea

Social capital plays an important role in determining and managing disaster relief at the community level as well as in building and enhancing a community's disaster response capacity. This study measures the level of social capital in local communities in Seoul, South Korea, and examines how social capital affects their capacity to respond effectively in the face of disasters. We developed indicators based on data from the 2017 Seoul Survey and measured three dimensions of social capital (civic engagement, informal networks, and trust) in 360 communities in Seoul using factor analysis. We then analyzed the relationship between the community's social capital and the percentage of disaster relief volunteers as a proxy measure of community disaster response capacity. Further, we examined the effect of civic engagement, social networks, and trust on disaster volunteerism using the Tobit model. The results showed that a given level of social capital within a community is positively related to a high capacity for disaster volunteerism. This implies that communities with high social capital are more likely to have volunteers available to help in response to a disaster, and that the more a given community is invested in community issues and trust its neighbors, the higher its overall disaster response capacity.

URGENSI ALTRUISME DAN HARDINESS PADA RELAWAN PENANGGULANGAN BENCANA ALAM: SEBUAH STUDI KEPUSTAKAAN [THE URGENCY OF ALTRUISM AND RESILIENCE IN NATURAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT VOLUNTEERS: A LITERATURE STUDY

Indonesia is a country prone to natural disasters. Dealing with the negative impacts caused by natural disasters is not an easy matter but requires various parties who collaborate to handle them, such as volunteers. The author aims to examine the urgency of altruism and hardiness in natural disaster relief volunteers. The findings of this study are volunteers, namely people who voluntarily give their time, energy, and money to help other people affected by natural disasters. Seeing the sad reality, namely natural disasters that cause many casualties. it is very important for a disaster management volunteer to have altruism and hardiness because with these two attitudes a disaster management volunteer is able to be useful to the people around him.

Making sense of international faith-based disaster relief volunteer experiences: Barriers and contributors to successful operations.

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of five deployed international disaster relief volunteers from a faith-based group in Thailand. This study explored what participants perceived as contributors and barriers to their successful operations and how they made sense of their roles in the disaster recovery process. Organizational and cross-cultural barriers were identified. Through the lens of sensemaking theory, four additional themes emerged: participants' first assignment, the motto of being part of the solution, their firm belief in the organization's values and practices, and their perception of necessity. Implications for faith-based organizations and directions for future studies are provided.

The impact of serving in disaster relief among volunteers in Malaysia

PurposeMalaysian disaster relief volunteers have a long and proud history of participating in relief missions within and outside the country. Despite of a plethora of researches into the various areas of disaster relief, there has been a little scholarly activity looking into the experiences of the medical volunteers worldwide and even less research on the experiences of the relief volunteers in Malaysia. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the effect of disaster relief works on volunteers in Malaysia. MethodsThis is a non-experimental cross-sectional design study, which was conducted using survey questionnaire to examine the incidence of burnout, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and the quality of life (QOL) among the disaster relief volunteers. And the study also examined the socio-demographic variables of the participants. In addition, the association between the sociodemographic variable and the preferred coping strategies was also investigated through self-reporting checklist. ResultsThe findings of this study revealed that 90.9% volunteers (n = 312) experienced some levels of recurring stress throughout their lives, which led to burnout. Also, 96.8% (n = 332) of the participants were categorized as having at least some symptoms of PTSD. However, self-reporting QOL measurements indicated that the participants are, in general, satisfied with their lives. Significant associations between the incidence of burnout, incidence of PTSD and QOL were identified. Both positive coping measures and behavioral or avoidant coping measures were also identified. Furthermore, a number of socio-demographic factors were also seen to interact significantly with burnout, PTSD and QOL. ConclusionThis study provides some insights into the psychological challenges of disaster relief volunteers in Malaysia, and this impact can last a long time after the volunteers return to their hometowns. Several recommendations including practice development, policy and research were discussed in the study.

Conducting an Evaluation Framework for Disaster Management under Adaptive Organization Change in a School System

This long-term study established a sustainable and resilient framework for enhancing organizational capacity and adaptability, based on adaptive thinking, for a school disaster prevention system (SDPS) for academic institutions located in a potential natural disaster area. Due to the movement of continental plates and the effects of tropical depressions, disasters occur frequently in Taiwan. We established a conceptual framework under aspects of organizational resilience for a SDPS for school institutions located in a potential disaster area under a choice experiment (CE) framework. We then evaluated the heterogeneity of staff perspectives on an adaptive disaster-mitigation program, as revealed by their preferences and estimated the marginal effects associated with various potential scenarios for such a program. We found that integrating stakeholder concerns about environmental issues, cooperating with local government drills, providing training to be disaster relief volunteers and cooperating with local government to implement disaster-prevention and protection projects were all valid program characteristics. This study also confirmed the existence of heterogeneity in the preferences of participants for adaptive management in SDPS context, as evidenced by their willing attitudes toward participation in education and training courses, participation in implementing disaster prevention and protection projects and undergoing training to be disaster relief volunteers. Specifically, the potential disaster prevention transformation program embodying these features was associated with the highest marginal willingness to work (MWTW). These outcomes can assist in the development and implementation of evaluation frameworks for organization-based management strategies in the context of SDPS.

The Implementation of Disaster Management and Legal Protection for Disaster Relief Volunteers (Case of Central Java Province, Indonesia)

Regulation of the Head (Perka) of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Number 17 of 2011 concerning the Disaster Management Voluntary Guidelines which in addition to being a volunteer guideline also regulates voluntary obligations and rights. Of the three volunteer rights contained in the Perka, there is one volunteer right that is not explained in detail, namely the volunteer's right to get legal protection in the implementation of disaster management tasks. This study uses a qualitative research approach, a type of juridical-sociological research, the focus of research on legal protection for disaster relief volunteers in carrying out disaster management tasks, research locations in the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Central Java Province, primary and secondary data sources, and uses interactive analysis models. The implementation of disaster management in Central Java Province BPBD and the form of legal protection for disaster relief volunteers in the implementation of disaster management tasks in Central Java Province BPBD. The implementation of disaster management tasks in the Central Java Province BPBD is guided by three stages, namely the pre-disaster stage, the emergency response stage, and the post-disaster stage. While the form of legal protection for disaster relief volunteers in the implementation of disaster management tasks in BPBD Central Java Province in the form of physical, psychological, and mental health insurance during carrying out disaster management activities.&#x0D; Keywords: Legal Protection; Volunteer; Disaster management.

Qualitative Research on the Shift in Significance and Meaning of the Relationship with Disaster Relief Volunteers, from the Perspective of Temporary Housing Resident Disaster Survivors: The Case from Long-term Psychosocial Support in Disaster Relief Following the Great East Japan Earthquake

Qualitative Research on the Shift in Significance and Meaning of the Relationship with Disaster Relief Volunteers, from the Perspective of Temporary Housing Resident Disaster Survivors: The Case from Long-term Psychosocial Support in Disaster Relief Following the Great East Japan Earthquake

Disaster relief work: The experiences of volunteers in Malaysia

Disaster, whether natural or man-made, is an unpredictable event that occurs worldwide and may cause untold damage to the environment and its occupants. In the aftermath, deployment of volunteer workers into disaster zone is a necessary part of the effort to provide relief to disaster victims. Hence, the objective of this study is to explore the experiences of disaster relief volunteers in Malaysia who has served in disaster relief efforts. Ten participants from among doctors and nurses who have worked as disaster relief volunteers were purposively selected for qualitative in-depth interviews. The data gathered during the interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Five main themes emerged in the data analysis process, namely, Limited Resources, Reactions, Support, Preparation and Gratification. The theme reveals the challenges faced by the participants and the toll taken on their psychological, emotional, and physical wellbeing. It also reveals the factors that could lessen the toll. In conclusion, we find it imperative for volunteer organizations, employers, and health bodies alike to recognize the need revealed in this study in order to provide the necessary support to prevent the possible damaging effect of disaster relief works on volunteers.

Lessons and Challenges of Disaster Relief Work in Rural China

Due to the disastrous Wenchuan earthquake that hit Sichuan, China, on May 12, 2008, approximately 70,000 people died, around 400,000 were injured, 18,467 were missing, and millions were left homeless due to the collapse of their homes. The substantial trauma and loss in the disaster area posed a challenge for disaster relief work focused on survivors’ psychological health. Many of the psychological interventions were based on Western or urban outpatient populations and were thus inappropriate for the uneducated, agriculturally based population of rural China, potentially limiting patient care and sensitivity during this postdisaster relief. This article discusses the therapeutic issues involved and finds that the collectivist nature of the rural Chinese culture and indigenized ways of working with the earthquake survivors are of paramount importance. It adds to the research literature by discussing the importance of relationships through the Chinese concept of Guanxi in the context of disaster relief work in rural China. Consistent with the concept of Guanxi, disaster relief volunteers must fully respect the world of the survivors while remaining flexible and creative in their work to build deeper connections and relationships.

Estimation of Tsunami-Inundated Areas in Asahi City, Chiba Prefecture, after the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake

The 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku-oki earthquake triggered an extremely large tsunami. The authors conducted a field survey in Asahi City, Chiba Prefecture, after the occurrence of the earthquake. Although located farther away from the source region of the earthquake, there was still significant damage in this area. Tsunami-inundated areas in Asahi City were identified from the map developed by disaster relief volunteers and the satellite images captured after the event. Polygons to demonstrate the tsunami-inundated areas were developed in the geographic information system. The authors compared the identified affected areas with the existing tsunami hazard map of Asahi City. The relationship between the tsunami-inundated areas and the locations of seawalls and tide-prevention forests was evaluated. In addition, a numerical simulation of tsunami propagation was performed and the ratio of totally collapsed buildings to the total number of buildings, that is, damage ratio, in terms of the estimated inundation depths was evaluated.