Fatima Musa Al Belushi, the Executive Director of the Award, delivered a presentation on her research paper titled “Appreciating Volunteer Efforts in Crises and Disasters.” In her talk, she emphasized the crucial importance of recognizing the contributions of volunteers and how pivotal their involvement is in promoting the sustainability of volunteer initiatives, ultimately boosting the community’s ability to respond effectively to disasters and crises.
The award highlighted six effective ways to show appreciation for volunteers. These include recognizing and honoring their contributions, offering moral support to those working in disaster and crisis situations, providing training programs to enhance their skills, involving them in decision-making processes, establishing supportive programs and benefits, and documenting their efforts to ensure they are preserved in official records.
The importance of the award in supporting volunteers was further highlighted by identifying “volunteering in disasters and crises” as a key focal area. This acknowledgment emphasizes the award's dedication to celebrating volunteer efforts that are vital in managing crises and mitigating their effects.
She noted that the award has recognized a total of 486 individual volunteers, 14 volunteer teams, and 8 institutions from 2020 to 2023, along with 2 remarkable Corona volunteers who made significant contributions during the pandemic. This recognition underscores the award's dedication to honoring the invaluable efforts of volunteers in this important area.
The paper suggested several ways to improve the culture of volunteering during disasters and crises. These include developing a database of specialized volunteers and creating dedicated online platforms that connect these volunteers with those in need. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of raising community awareness about the value of volunteering in crisis response. It also highlights the need for better training and rehabilitation programs, as well as recognizing volunteers in official forums to honor their contributions.
In line with its participation in the Volunteer Forum, the Sharjah Award for Volunteer Work, in collaboration with the Sharjah Center for Volunteer Work, has announced the launch of an exciting new initiative called “12 Challenges.” This program is designed to promote the spirit of giving and foster a culture of volunteerism by introducing a series of innovative monthly challenges.
The initiative seeks to encourage individuals and institutions to engage in sustainable volunteer activities, as the initiative focuses on supporting community efforts to achieve sustainable development and create a positive impact in various sectors, reflecting the spirit of cooperation and solidarity to serve all segments of society.
Al Belushi stated that the award’s involvement in this forum aligns with our vision to promote volunteerism and strengthen its impact in addressing crises and disasters, particularly during critical times.
This participation aligns with the award's commitment to elevate the importance of volunteer work in addressing pressing challenges. It aims to showcase the significant impact of volunteer initiatives in delivering humanitarian and relief support to communities in need, while also strengthening their resilience during tough times.
She emphasized, “We are dedicated to promoting and valuing volunteer initiatives that support impacted communities. We believe that recognizing these efforts serves as a motivation to nurture the spirit of giving and collaboration within society.”
She expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the efforts of the Social Services Department, as represented by the Sharjah Voluntary Work Centre, in coordinating and organizing volunteer initiatives at the emirate level. She highlighted that the forums established by the department are instrumental in promoting the interests of volunteer work and shaping its future direction.
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