Conduct of Volunteers at Disaster Area

Mat 10.42 “... if anyone gives even a cup of cold water because he is my disciple...”

First thing to do in the disaster area

• When you reach the disaster area, register yourself to the volunteer center.
• Wear a name tag or some other item that identifies you by name.
• Introduce yourself as a survivor care volunteer.
• Express words of sympathy for the local people. 

How to act and behave : the goal is to establish TRUST

• Work with local people: provide care in cooperation with the first-aid station and the medical team. Discuss with a local contact person (e.g. leader of the residents’ association) and build a good relations with him/her.
• Team up with local organizations (residents’ association, women’s association, youth association) in conducting activities.
• Actively make rounds, and talk/greet to each victim.
• When you see a disaster victim busy working or tidying up the debris, work with him/her.
• Record your actions and observations consciously and leave the notes with the disaster area field leaders for needs collection and continuous support of disaster victims.
• Mentally handover responsibility to continue the work to the next team; communicate clearly what needs to be done. 

Attitude and Preparedness

• Gather information (situation of disaster area, existing support system, where to approach, personal networks, contact the disaster management office to grasp the overall situation) before you depart.
• Learn local norms from community leaders.
• Allow time to gain acceptance in a community
• Be dependable, non-judgmental, respectful
• Recognize cultural variation in expressions
• Positive actions, go out and provide support to those in needs. 
• Provide information about victim support service after having confirmed accuracy.
• Focus on immediate needs of disaster victims when you listen to what they have to say and support them.
• Be flexible and modify your role to cope with changing situations and needs.
• Remember that what you want to do for disaster victims is not always what they need.
• Do not criticize local supporters but discuss problems with them; remember that the local supporters are also disaster victims. 
• Before a volunteer provides survival care, there is a need to identify the vulnerable populations (infants, pregnant women, elderly persons, disabled persons, elderly persons living alone, persons in need of nursing care etc.) and recognize the feelings and sentiments: anxiety about future, fear, things lost (home, family, etc.)