mobilize
v.to organize people or resources so they are ready to take action. You use this when preparing for a big task, a protest, or a war.
v.to assemble and organize resources, people, or military forces for active service or a specific purpose. Transitive when referring to the act of organizing others; occasionally intransitive when describing a group preparing itself for action.
“The charity worked hard to mobilize volunteers for the food drive.”
“The community began to mobilize against the new development plan by organizing a series of town hall meetings.”
“In response to the sudden economic downturn, the government attempted to mobilize all available fiscal resources to prevent a total collapse of the banking sector.”
Takes a direct object when an organizer is acting upon a group; can be used without an object to describe a group's own preparation.
“Belatedly, the global community needs to mobilise to address the threat.”
“Responding to the Government’s request for international assistance, the WFP is mobilising support and is ready to assist communities.”
From French mobiliser.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.