In its effort to mobilize volunteers for disaster risk management and response, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched the Online Registry of Volunteers last January 23,2007 with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral in simple ceremonies with heads of various non-government organizations, members of the League of Corporate Foundations, civic groups, other organizations and individuals who are or who wish to volunteer their time, talent, and services for disaster operations.

Link this to your website

The registry is a proactive step in preparing for natural and man-made disasters. It will serve as the national database of volunteers for disaster operations and facilitate the deployment of appropriate volunteers to an emergency or disaster operation.

“The registry assembles volunteers based on their qualifications, skills, availability, and accessibility and will expedite responses during emergency situations,” Secretary Cabral said.

Secretary Cabral added that the program is open to all individuals, families, sectoral groups, business and private organizations that have the desire to contribute knowledge, skills, time, and resources.

The areas of volunteer work in disaster risk management and response include risk analysis; training on disaster preparedness, basic survival skills and first aid; stockpiling and repacking of relief goods and emergency supplies; rescue and evacuation; stress debriefing; distribution of relief goods; management of evacuation center; health and sanitation; skills training and livelihood; and rehabilitation activities such as construction of emergency and core shelter units.

“The launch of this registry of volunteers will help us improve on the database of volunteers since at present we do not have a national database. This is a cooperative effort of the DSWD and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and Office of Civil Defense (OCD)” Secretary Cabral pointed out.

To be an individual volunteer, one must be at least 15 years of age, must be willing to commit his time, resources or talent, and must be physically and mentally capable to render volunteer work.

Volunteer groups or organizations must have physically and mentally fit personnel capable of rendering volunteer work, who are willing to commit their time, resources or talent to the work at hand. Volunteers may be assigned to a specific work without material or financial remuneration.

Interested individuals or groups who want to join the pool of DSWD volunteers may access the DSWD website, www.dswd.gov.ph and click the icon on Bayanihang Bayan Program to fill-up the DSWD Volunteer Registration Form (VRF). ### 19 January 2007