Benefits of citizen volunteering and local knowledge

Practitioners identified the benefits of citizens’ individual volunteering, as in some situations they were perceived as having local knowledge: “Local people can be of great support for the rescuers, as they can provide precious information on territory and locations”.

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Local knowledge

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Response

Types of Actors Concerned: National civil protection body, Local authorities, Non-active citizens

Recommendations:

• Empower vulnerable groups (i.e. children, elderly, and people with disabilities) by including them in disaster management decision-making and actions