The Role of the Non-governmental Organisations and Citizens in Crisis Management within the Finnish Communities

Abstract

The paper discusses the roles of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and citizens in crisis management within the Finnish communities in a globalized world. As the Government Programme (2015) outlines, Finland will be the safest country in the world for living, working and entrepreneurship. The paper discusses the impact of NGOs and other voluntary organisations as a twofold. Firstly, the voluntary organisations play an important role in the promotion of safety culture and in the activation of citizens in the improvement of their own security and safety in the local communities. It covers the independent preparedness of a citizen within a municipality. Secondly, the paper discusses the role of the NGOs and voluntary organisations during the disasters in local community such as snow and water crisis. In addition, the role of the NGOs is to support the authorities for securing the local communities. The paper examines two regions and their municipalities in Finland; Lapland and Satakunta. The study has been conducted by interviews and surveys. The interviews and surveys considered the voluntary actors from various non-governmental and voluntary organisations within the regions. To conclude, the non-governmental and voluntary organisations play a key role in the development and support of independent preparedness within a municipality. Furthermore, it strengthens the psychological resilience within the municipality. Consequently, in a crisis the role and importance of the non-governmental organisations is unquestionable.