Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to floods, like natural disasters. Yet, contributions of volunteer-led non-profit organizations (NVOs) in emergency response remain underexplored. This paper investigates how an NVO responded to a flood, from rapid rescue to post-flood recovery, and evaluates the effects of its engagement on public health, organizational learning and growth, and community resilience. We applied a mixed-methods approach, combining organizational document reviews, structured interviews with seven key volunteers, direct field observations, and photographic documentation of relief and medical camp activities (21–28 August 2024). Quantitative data on reported illnesses were analyzed using STATA-18 and R through descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, post-hoc comparisons, and multinomial logistic regression. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis with a deductive coding framework. The NVO provided critical support through rapid rescue, targeted relief, and medical camps addressing integumentary (46.5%), respiratory (13.2%), skeletal (5%), gastrointestinal (2.6%), and other illnesses (32.7%). Thematic analysis highlighted organizational strengths, including field-level experience, decentralized leadership, adaptability, and strong collaborative capacity with government and other non-government actors. Despite resource constraints, the NVO demonstrated high operational effectiveness and recognition during the crisis. Formal integration of NVOs into national disaster coordination mechanisms is recommended. Institutional, technical, and financial support can strengthen disaster risk reduction, governance, and social development in resource-constrained settings. This study establishes novelty by linking health impact assessment with organizational learning in volunteer-led disaster response, combining quantitative outcomes and qualitative insights to show how grassroots organizations complement formal disaster management and provide actionable recommendations for integration into governance.
Authors
Meherjan Islam
Department of Medicine and Surgery, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi-4225, Chattogram
Author
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6146-5520
Md. Abidul Islam
Department of Applied Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi-4225, Chattogram
Author
Farzana Afroj
Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi-4225, Chattogram
Author
Afra Adiba Islam
Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi-4225, Chattogram
Author
Onamika Karmakar
Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi-4225, Chattogram
Author
Abdullah Al Mahmud Nayem
Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi-4225, Chattogram
Author
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0586-7251
Md. Ahasanul Hoque
Health Institute, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi-4225, Chattogram
Author
DOI: https://doi.org/10.66050/jf110s44
Keywords: Bangladesh, community resilience, disaster response, flood, public health, volunteer-led emergency response
https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/168
