The Flemish Government says that half of all Flemish municipalities have signed up to create local volunteer corps. Up until now 141 municipalities have said that they wish to set up a volunteer corp. The Flemish Interior Minister Hilde Crevits (Christian democrat) says the scale of the response shows that Flanders has “a warm heart” when it comes to volunteering.
The volunteer corps are designed to help municipal authorities respond quickly during emergencies such as floods, heatwaves or power cuts. Thos that sign up to join a volunteer corps receive training on how crisis teams work, annual refresher courses and a first-aid qualification.
The Flemish Government aims to train around 15,000 volunteers across Flanders. The initiative is supported by Belgian Red Cross Flanders and backed by 1 million euros in public funding.
Currently 52 corps have already been set up, and 15 municipalities are offering first-aid training. Ms Crevits says that more will follow soon as “volunteer corps are popping up everywhere”.
The Flemish Minister added that volunteers play an essential role in Flemish society and described them as being “indispensable”.