Concept of SERV:      

1. The concept of SERV is premised upon the principles of Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR). It recognizes that:   
2.   Communities understands their problems and opportunities than anyone else,
3. Community is more interested to understand their problems than anyone else,
4. Community is the key stakeholder for development of the country, hence it has to participate for their own development,
5. Local communities are capable of initiating and sustaining their own community development.

1. Provide immediate relief and response to the affected communities before additional support from the government and other agencies arrives,
2. Reduce vulnerabilities of the communities by training the communities on first-aid, hygiene promotion, etc.,
3. Conduct vulnerability and capacity assessment of their own communities,
4. Support any other identified social issues that contribute to the development of the communities.       

• Act as First Responders in times of emergencies, (participate in providing effective humanitarian services to affected population to prevent and alleviate their sufferings on behalf of the IRCS). 
• Sensitize the community to make them more resilient to disasters to which the community is vulnerable. 
• Facilitate linkages between the community and the Government programmes.