Volunteering in Times of Crisis and Sustainable Solidarity

Volunteering in Times of Crisis and Sustainable Solidarity

Life has a natural flow. This natural flow can be interrupted for various reasons. Such interruptions may include natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, fires), periods of grief, migration, or other events that disrupt the routines we rely on. Each of us experiences moments of crisis. During such times, questions emerge: “I should do something. I need to help. What can I do?”

Without moving too far from this context, I would like to give an example from the February 6 earthquake, described as the disaster of the century. Each of us experienced different turning points in our lives during that earthquake. The disaster brought multiple crises with it. In moments like these, volunteering and solidarity become more visible and deeply felt. Provinces unaffected by the earthquake came together in remarkable unity, gathering without seeking any personal benefit in order to provide support. People became part of a large-scale collective effort. Of course, the intention to help, to contribute, and to offer support is immeasurably valuable. Everyone is willing; everyone wants to create impact. In a state of mobilization, strengthening coordination and communication networks becomes essential to maximize that impact.

However, what truly concerns me is whether this state of volunteering remains limited to the moment of crisis. Does the intense sense of solidarity that emerges in the first days gradually fade into silence? What did the projects and initiatives launched during the earthquake eventually evolve into? Were the problems and needs that persisted after the crisis genuinely resolved through initial interventions? Or does our attention simply shift elsewhere? Do we perhaps assume that nothing more can be done to create meaningful impact?

The sustainability of volunteering takes shape around these very questions. In the beginning, we experience intense emotions. We act with empathy and sensitivity; yet, quite naturally, the intensity of our emotions decreases over time. We struggle to sustain the support and volunteering we demonstrated in the early days; processes that begin intensely may gradually weaken and break apart. Due to factors such as insufficient planning and coordination, volunteering initiatives that emerge during crises often fail to remain sustainable. Rapidly initiated efforts must continue step by step, in a structured and carefully planned manner.

This is where the concept of “sustainable solidarity” gains importance. Sustainability is not limited to the environment, nature, or recycling. It carries a broader meaning that also encompasses human relationships, social responsibilities, and volunteer work. For solidarity to be sustainable, it must continue beyond the moment of crisis. Because even when a crisis ends, its effects persist. Trauma, economic hardship, and reconstruction processes require time. Sometimes simply listening and being able to say, “We are still here,” carries profound meaning. Continuing small and seemingly simple actions together can create powerful impacts. Crises pass, and new ones emerge. What matters is sustaining the impact of the first step we take over time. Volunteering finds its true meaning when it becomes not merely a reflex in times of crisis, but a sustained sense of responsibility.