ENHANCING SUSTAINABILITY IN DISASTER VOLUNTEERING THROUGH BLOCKCHAIN-BASED SYSTEMS: SYSTEMIC CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES

Authors : Salih Tosun

Pages : 15-28

Doi:10.17130/ijmeb.1782069

View : 67 | Download : 21

Publication Date : 2025-10-22

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Disaster volunteering plays a vital role in rapid emergency response, strengthening local resilience, and enabling collective mobilization during crises. Nevertheless, the continuity and effectiveness of volunteer participation face persistent systemic challenges, including identity verification, task allocation, contribution recognition, motivation, and inter-institutional coordination. This study conceptually explores how blockchain technology—through its decentralized trust mechanisms, immutable data infrastructure, and programmable incentive systems—can enhance sustainability in volunteer management. Using a structured literature review method, academic findings from disaster management, digital governance, and blockchain research were synthesized to identify the barriers at their intersection. Based on this analysis, the study proposes a holistic blockchain-based volunteer management model composed of five integrated components: identity verification, automated task matching, transparent contribution recording, tokenized reward mechanisms, and multi-stakeholder governance structures. The model aims to overcome the current system’s deficiencies in transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability while promoting measurable motivation and coordination among volunteers and institutions. Ultimately, the proposed framework contributes to reimagining digital social infrastructure, providing a scalable and trust-based architecture for sustainable and participatory disaster volunteering.
Keywords : Blokzincir, Afet Gönüllülüğü, Sürdürülebilirlik, Gönüllü Yönetimi

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