Introduction to the special issue on unaffiliated volunteering: the universality and importance of volunteering

This special issue of Environmental Hazards provides a critical look at the contested relationship between formalised disaster management organisations and emergent power unaffiliated informal volunteers. Using international case studies, five papers identify conceptual, contextual practical challenges opportunities. Much attention is given to definitions; these are important as through definitions whole categories people activity can be included volunteering or excluded treated invisible. The nature volunteers surge capacity in emergencies – something all this concerned with different ways. Another attribute examined that volunteers, operating without constraints typical government agencies, offer organisational agility, flexible problem-solving, ready access evolving information communication technology. However, also potential problems legal liability questions about rights obligations A paper on indigenous starts fill major gap understanding roles communities. Four Australian cases used examine what could like action. It appears governments almost everywhere, want more citizen involvement self-reliance emergencies, but government’s terms.