Purpose
The purpose of this activity is to ensure all community members' needs are met throughout the recovery process.
Why?
In any community, there will be people who may require extra support in recovery, such as the elderly, people with a disability, people at risk of domestic violence, those with mobility issues, parents with young children, tourists, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and others depending on the communities affected. Without a conscious effort to bring these individuals into the recovery process, or provide them with additional support and assistance, they may fall through the cracks or be left out of the recovery efforts.
When?
A focus on at-risk individuals should begin at the start of the recovery planning process (and in the pre-disaster recovery planning process) and continue throughout the recovery process. (Days 1 - Ongoing)
Tips
- Make every effort to build authentic human relationships with members of the target community.
- Visit local institutions.
- Establish relationships with trusted leaders of faith-based groups and community organizations.
- Make yourself aware of local customs so as not to inadvertently be disrespectful of the community’s practices and values.
- Recognize the importance of faith-based and other community organizations as legitimate support systems.
- To ensure the hearing of diverse voices, including individuals on the planning and action teams that can represent the diverse needs and interests of the target groups.
- Include recovery team members who are reflective of survivors’ ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds.
- Strive to represent all voices.
- Develop inclusive Outreach Methods - To reach those who do not own a computer or who do not have current access to internet services, it may be necessary, particularly when home and cell phone service is not available, to conduct door-to-door visits or to distribute flyers in places where people tend to congregate. Frequently, places where other services are available are good places to begin. Possible distribution points for written information may include faith-based organizations, hospitals, and medical offices, grocery stores, coffee shops, laundries, daycare centers, schools and colleges, voluntary agencies involved in community recovery, and other places people gather.
How does my community do this?
- Identify and connect with your community’s vulnerable populations to learn their recovery issues and needs. Community recovery plans should address the notion of social vulnerability as part of the provision of social services. Activities may include, but are not necessarily limited to, policies that address the following issues and concerns:
- The identification of unmet needs among disadvantaged groups.
- The provision of education and outreach information targeting historically disadvantaged groups.
- The modification of existing response programs to extend the provision of food, medical attention, clothing, and shelter over time following major disasters.
- The development of post-disaster field offices in hard-hit areas that include counselors trained in housing programs, financial assistance, insurance, and psychological trauma.
- The development of programs that help to reconstitute social networks (this is often undertaken by non-profits and faith-based organizations).
- The development of state programs that build locally-based community recovery groups.
- The creation of state programs that offer job opportunities for the unemployed, some of which may be tied to recovery-related activities (e.g., construction and debris management).
- Identify the best methods for communicating and connecting with frontline communities. Each group or set of at-risk community members may require a different approach to communication, outreach, and involvement. Consider the specific needs of these segments of the community and the best possible avenues to reach out and engage with these members of the community. Assessing and reducing barriers in working with diverse groups require that you consider the following:
- Understand current needs and realities of target groups.
- Recognize and acknowledge historical conditions and assess and discuss levels of mistrust.
- Recognize and respect differing cultural beliefs and practices.
- Find community gatekeepers and request their involvement.
- Incorporate these concerns into the recovery planning process. Craft recovery projects and programs that are based on the information gathered and address the needs of vulnerable populations.
- Maintain contact with vulnerable populations throughout the recovery process. Much like other segments of the community, the at-risk residents should be included early in the process, and engagement with these groups should continue throughout the recovery process. This will allow recovery managers to ensure that their needs are being met and, if necessary, make investments in the recovery process as it is implemented to ensure that the recovery and reinvestment in the community are equitable and ultimately enhances the resilience of the whole community.