Abstract
If volunteers are not prepared for the roles they have agreed to take on in emergencies, they might add to the problems that the relief organisation or the national or local authorities will face. In addition, they will also put themselves in danger or difficulties and their families at risk of the consequences that may follow. This paper looks at some of the things that can be done to prepare volunteers for emergencies, dealing with the main issues involved with the pre-deployment screening, personal preparation, proper equipping and adequate briefing of volunteers before they are deployed in emergencies. It concludes with the view that proper and sufficient preparation of volunteers is a necessary prerequisite to the deployment of volunteers in emergencies.
