National Disaster Management Guidelines: Role of NGOs in Disaster Management

Volunteerism and social service has deep roots in India, since time immemorial, even though it received special significance during the freedom struggle through the Gandhian concept of Shramdaan, implying the offering of free labor for some noble cause like rural development, construction of social assets and public infrastructure and amenities, etc. In post-independent India, the Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been providing support in critical sectors like health, education, water supply and sanitation, shelter and infrastructure, restoration of livelihoods, food security and nutrition, environment, etc.