Volunteerism during humanitarian crises: a practical guide

Abstract

Volunteerism to provide humanitarian aid occurs in response to disasters, crises, and conflict. Each of those volunteerism triggers engenders personal risk borne by the healthcare volunteer while rendering aid and merit specific evaluation. Factors that impact decision-making with regard to volunteering are personal, structural and crisis specific. Practical approaches to travel and on-scene safety benefit volunteers and should inform planning and preparation for volunteerism-driven travel. These approaches include planning for evacuation and potential rescue. These unique skills and approaches are generally not part of medical education outside of military service. The global medical community, including medical professional organizations, should embrace this opportunity to improve medical education and professional development to support humanitarian aid volunteerism. Disaster, crisis, or conflict-driven healthcare volunteerism highlights the core elements of altruism, dedication, and humanity that permeate clinician's drive to render aid and save lives.

Keywords: Conflict; Crisis; Disaster; Humanitarian; Safety; Volunteerism.

Fig. 1

Key factors influencing the decision to volunteer during a crisis. This graphic depicts key considerations that may influence a clinician's decision-making regarding volunteering during a crisis. Major domains include those unique to the clinician (personal), travel considerations, as well as equipment issues. Natural and man-made disasters commonly entail less personal risk than militarily-driven crises