Still on Volunteerism in Managing Disaster By

Still on Volunteerism in Managing Disaster
By

Sa’adatu Ovosi

Recently Nigeria faced another human-induced disaster that culminated to destruction of lives and properties in Jos Plateau State after an election. During the crisis everybody looked towards intervention of established agencies like the police, army amongst others for search and rescue mission. What about individuals and groups? Can they play any supportive roles in such an emergency?

In efforts to prevent and control disasters through out the federation, recently the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) announced the formation of Emergency Management Vanguard, which is a partnership programme with the National Youth Service Corp and the Grassroots Emergency Volunteer Corps at the community level aimed at controlling and mitigating the menace of disaster and improving people’s attitude towards disaster management. The Director General of NEMA, AVM Mohammed Audu-Bida (Rtd.) said that the agency adopted the new strategy of bottom-to- top approach so as to develop a rapid response group within the community that will render immediate assistance in the case of emergency like.

We are all aware that since disaster does not discriminate, concerted efforts are required to assuage its effect as all three tiers of government must be responsible for managing disaster through sensitization, mobilization and equipping the citizens on the challenges ahead.

It is important to note that making hay while the sun shines could save a stitch in time. The youth corps vanguard and grass root volunteers are welcome development towards creating not only adequate public awareness and saying bye-bye to ignorance in averting disaster but also in active involvement of communities in disaster management.

It has been established that lack of prompt response to disaster in Nigeria is responsible for the colossal damages to lives and properties in the country which could have been averted in the first instance if volunteerism was in place.

Volunteerism is not a new concept in disaster management. In ancient time, communities used volunteers to create more awareness in some cases. Today they could also be used to fight fire, control floods and other disasters. The practice of using the youths and grassroots volunteers in disaster management has undergone remarkable changes and gained universal prominences in recent years. The changes have been influenced by the emergence and activities of humanitarian and non-governmental organisations that have been collaborating with communities in crisis situation. Such voluntary organisations include the National Societies of Red Cross and Red Crescent, Boys Scout, Girls’ Brigade, Doctors without Border and similar NGOs.

In simple terms a volunteer is a person who does a job without being paid. In other words, any person who offers to do something without being forced to do so is considered a volunteer. Local volunteers could be deployed for lesser roles during hazard or disaster. They are in most cases nonprofessional, but are always ready and available to assist at the scenes of disaster. They are always the first responders to disaster areas which is why in some places they are called grassroots volunteers. On the other hand, there are organized volunteers who are specialized and well-trained for specific roles during emergency situations. Most organized volunteers are trained in first aid, disaster preparedness, response, relief, prevention, mitigation, contingency planning, capacity assessment, water and sanitation.

Due to havocs disaster has caused in the last decade, triggered either through natural cause or man induced, millions of people have lost their lives and properties especially in developing countries like Nigeria. It may be necessary therefore to say that not all disaster can be avoided but through adequate awareness at the grassroots and introduction of curriculum in schools will go a long way to reduce the menace. With the introduction of the youth vanguard and grassroots volunteer it is pertinent with no reasonable doubt that it will assist the agency with information on communities that are voluneerble to disaster.

With the formation of the volunteer groups across the country, there is the need for adequate training and education on the roles they will play in any given event. Where such volunteers are not available, the local people around could be engaged in search and rescue efforts.

Its important to state here that with the introduction of Volunteers Groups in managing disaster in Nigeria, the relevant agencies, especially NEMA should ensure that they are trained in various social services such as building of shelters for displaced people, distribution of food, water and materials, camp sanitation, orderliness and security.

Most of the challenges often faced by volunteers are improper coordination especially when there is no any legal framework to guide their operation. In most cases spontaneous volunteers come forward regardless of previous planning just to assist. This response actually requires tactics so that volunteers would not become another crowd.

While commending the effort of NEMA in initiating the volunteer groups, it should also ensure adequate education and equipment for the volunteers.

Sa’adatu Ovosi.
Corps Member
National Emergency Management Agency