Sustainable development requires that disaster risks are reduced and communities are better prepared for response and recovery. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme supports global efforts to reduce the impact of disasters by working at national and community level to support disaster prevention and risk reduction strategies.

The role of volunteerism in mobilizing and managing volunteers is an important component of any disaster risk management strategy that aims at fostering community recovery, strength and resilience in vulnerable areas. Governments around the world realize this and UN Volunteers actively support governments and local communities with disaster risk reduction and prevention efforts.