Spontaneous responses by groups and individuals in urban disasters

What is it about?

This paper reviews the nature and scale of spontaneous response activity around the world, its impact in the short and long terms, challenges associated with it, and lessons for future humanitarian practice.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Spontaneous responses by self-organising, ‘emergent’ voluntary groups and individuals are a common feature of urban disasters. Their activities include search and rescue, transporting and distributing relief supplies, and providing food and drink to victims and emergency workers. However, informal actors are rarely incorporated into formal disaster and humanitarian planning.