Displaying items by tag: volunteering

The authorities are under intense scrutiny for their handling of Cyclone Ditwah, which has affected more than 1.46 million people across all 25 districts and caused the nation’s worst flooding in two decades. Over 410 people are confirmed dead, hundreds are missing, and tens of thousands are sheltering in overcrowded government centers. Critics argue that officials ignored early warning signs and failed to coordinate a timely, unified emergency response, leaving rescue teams overwhelmed and communication systems fragmented. Severe damage to roads, power networks, and telecommunications has isolated northern districts, complicating relief efforts as water levels continue to rise. Opposition leaders are pursuing legal action, accusing the government of negligence that cost many lives. Further concerns have emerged over inadequate disaster communication in Tamil, which left many without critical information. Despite international aid pledges and a state of emergency, the crisis has exposed major weaknesses in Sri Lanka’s preparedness and response structures, prompting urgent calls for reform. However, there has been an impressive show of ‘volunteerism’ from local communities: see

The road to war for Elliott and Kieran ran through Facebook, a £20 Ryanair flight to Krakow in Poland, a cold night sleeping outside a railway station, then walking into Ukraine to join other recruits taking a minibus to Lviv. ‘I just can't sit at home and watch what's going on and carry on as usual,’ says CJ Darton, who served seven years with the Royal Anglian Regiment. When Russia invaded Ukraine he almost immediately began making plans to volunteer. ‘We were stopped by police on the way out,’ recounts Kieran, a plumber from Brighton. ‘They said “fair play to you”. As far as I'm aware we're not doing anything wrong.’ When they reach the front line they can either sign up with Ukraine's International Legion and stay for the duration of the war for the same pay as Ukrainian soldiers, or join other former British soldiers already fighting on the front line.

International China Concern (ICC) has sent volunteers from around the world to China since 1993, bringing extra care and enjoyment to abandoned children with disabilities. Each year there are short-term teams, for those who want to spend a week or two volunteering at one of their project sites. They support care-givers with additional activities, outings, and playtime for children and young adults. ICC also have long-term volunteers to set high standards of care by training and modelling their core values day to day in therapy, nursing, social work, education, administration, and communications. These volunteers commit to up to two years’ service. Pray for more people to commit to serving these needy children.