Cyclone Nargis almost destroyed the remote village of Kyon Ka Nan, but residents are now rebuilding their homes and their food stocks, aided by a resilient group of Myanmar volunteers.  Visit site

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday praised China's health emergency response as "quick, effective and well organized" in the wake of the fatal earthquake that has killed nearly 70,000 people in the southwestern province of Sichuan. Dr Hans Troedsson, WHO's Representative in China was particularly impressed with the "high level of dedication and volunteerism of medical professionals."   Visit site

An online video featuring UNV volunteer Liu Hui,  one of the two UNV volunteers that helped earthquake survivors in Mianyang, Sichuan. The online discussion focused on how non-government organization, including volunteers, can play a role in building better communities.  Visit site

China's devastating earthquake has sparked widespread volunteerism and a surge of patriotism among young people. Here is a selection of voices from China's "post-'80" generation on how this dramatic year has affected them.  Visit site

A fast-growing middle class with money to spare on travel and, as it now seems, on charity. Thousands of volunteers headed to the disaster zone, from businessmen to Christian youth.   Visit site

On 12 May 2008 an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck Sichuan province in south-western China. Volunteerism is critical to the relief efforts. Read UNV volunteer Liu Lei's diary of his work with the IFRC here.   Visit site

A newspaper editorial from China highlights the vital contribution of volunteerism in earthquake relief efforts. "They sometimes might appear less than organized. There even were pleas once for them to refrain from entering disaster zones on their own so that professional relief workers had their way. But we cannot afford to imagine what things would have been like were it not for the compassionate involvement of the now-omnipresent volunteers..."  Visit site

As the full extent of the devastation wrought by Cyclone Nargis becomes clearer, thousands of Myanmar Red Cross volunteers are working around the clock to reach and support those affected by the ferocious storm...

Over the past days, Red Cross volunteers have been distributing basic relief items such as tarpaulins, mosquito nets, potable water and water purification tablets. Teams of volunteers have also been through some of the worst affected areas along the Irrawaddy delta, assessing damage and needs of communities, including health needs.  Visit site

Thanks to Telecoms Sans Frontieres' (TSF) digital lifelines, victims of natural disasters can talk to their loved ones immediately after disasters. The charity, run by volunteers, sets up temporary communications infrastructure for the victims and disaster response charities to help them coordinate relief efforts.   Visit site

The book highlights the common features of safety and security that apply or could apply to humanitarian workers working in conflict areas. It explains the dangers volunteers might face and some of the likely threats to their work and gives advice on issues of personal security, use of common sense and judgement in the field. It reflects the ever-changing conflict environment in which humanitarians have to work and deals with new threats such as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and encompasses wider issues such as protection of humanitarian volunteers under international law and practical life.  Visit site