Enhancing Disaster Resilience Through Managing Spontaneous Volunteers: Insights from Chile
Tracks
Norfolk Hall | In-Person Only
| Tuesday, July 23, 2024 |
| 1:50 PM - 2:10 PM |
Overview
Dr Jenny Moreno, University of Concepcion
Details
Key Presentation Learnings:
1. The development of a local guideline for the management of spontaneous volunteers (SVs) in Chile, which was later adopted nationally, demonstrates the importance of a structured framework that is both flexible and adaptable. Such a framework can effectively channel the strengths of SVs and ensure their positive contribution to disaster resilience, as evidenced during Valparaíso wildfires.
2. A participatory approach in guideline development involving diverse stakeholders promotes equity, trust, and leverages local capacities.
3. Local experiences, like the Valparaíso wildfires, prove the practical effectiveness of guidelines and inform broader national policies, contributing to the global discourse on disaster resilience.
Speaker
Dr Jenny Moreno
Lecturer in Disaster Management
University of Concepcion
Enhancing Disaster Resilience through Managing Spontaneous Volunteers: Insights from Chile
Abstract
The mobilization of spontaneous volunteers (SVs) has become a pivotal yet challenging aspect of disaster response efforts worldwide. This paper details the collaborative development of a local guideline for managing SVs in Chile, later adopted at the national level, underscoring the integration of multiple stakeholder perspectives, including the public and private sectors. The guideline was applied and refined during the 2019 Valparaíso wildfires, highlighting the potential of SVs to significantly contribute to disaster resilience while acknowledging the risks of uncoordinated volunteerism. This initiative aimed to establish a structured yet adaptable framework to effectively harness the strengths of SVs.
Through participatory workshops, interviews, and consultations, the project engaged a wide range of actors from government agencies to local communities and non-governmental organizations. This process ensured that the guideline reflected a comprehensive understanding of the local context and leveraged the diverse capacities of all stakeholders involved. By valuing each contributor's voice, the process fostered trust, collaboration, and equity.
The implementation during the Valparaíso wildfires served as a real-world test, confirming the effectiveness of the guideline in improving disaster response through better coordination, communication, and safety measures for SVs. This experience underscored the significance of having a clear, pre-established guideline to maximize the positive impact of SVs and minimize associated risks.
This paper highlights the importance of a locally tailored, collaboratively developed guideline in managing SVs. By sharing the lessons learned and best practices from Chile's localized approach, which informed national policy, it contributes to the global discourse on building disaster resilience. The initiative demonstrates the value of local solutions in informing broader strategies, reinforcing the conference theme of trust, collaboration, and equity in volunteer management for enhanced disaster response.
Through participatory workshops, interviews, and consultations, the project engaged a wide range of actors from government agencies to local communities and non-governmental organizations. This process ensured that the guideline reflected a comprehensive understanding of the local context and leveraged the diverse capacities of all stakeholders involved. By valuing each contributor's voice, the process fostered trust, collaboration, and equity.
The implementation during the Valparaíso wildfires served as a real-world test, confirming the effectiveness of the guideline in improving disaster response through better coordination, communication, and safety measures for SVs. This experience underscored the significance of having a clear, pre-established guideline to maximize the positive impact of SVs and minimize associated risks.
This paper highlights the importance of a locally tailored, collaboratively developed guideline in managing SVs. By sharing the lessons learned and best practices from Chile's localized approach, which informed national policy, it contributes to the global discourse on building disaster resilience. The initiative demonstrates the value of local solutions in informing broader strategies, reinforcing the conference theme of trust, collaboration, and equity in volunteer management for enhanced disaster response.
Biography
Dr. Jenny Moreno serves as an Assistant Professor of Disaster Management at the University of Concepción, Chile. Her research is centered on community resilience in the aftermath of disasters, particularly within the context of developing countries. Over the past ten years, Jenny has collaborated with national and local governments, academic institutions, and civil society organizations to bolster disaster planning and recovery efforts, with a special focus on enhancing community resilience in Chile. Since 2018, she has been aiding the governments of Chile and Argentina in the creation and implementation of their inaugural management plans for spontaneous volunteers during disasters.
