Review Report on Volunteers in Action 2009-2013

This review report provides findings from the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society’s (SLRCS) Volunteers in Action (ViA) initiative for two district branches, in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka - Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu - supported under the Red Cross Post-conflict Recovery Programme (RCPCRP). The report is focused on a selected volunteer programme, ViA under the RCPCRP, with emphasis on capacity building in volunteer management by the SLRCS national headquarters for its branches, with the support of the IFRC, since 2011. The review was undertaken to inform the thinking and practice in supporting volunteer programmes as part of a commitment to community engagement under RCPCRP. It presents valuable information and advanced understanding about the role of the SLRCS and its branches, especially for volunteers, at the community interface. It also sets out clear recommendations to assist the SLRCS and its branches in achieving a future that continues to recognize and value volunteers and support them in their work. Additionally, this review identified some of the key issues and advantages of volunteer programmes in service delivery across the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. 

This review of volunteers specifically aimed to:

• identify types, roles and numbers of volunteers being coordinated, supported and managed by the SLRCS branches
• review capacity-building support under the ViA programme
• determine the contribution of volunteers at various levels, especially in the community
• identify and evaluate volunteer-management practices by SLRCS
• identify the value of volunteers under this programme.