💪Imagine
Pacific Envisioned Analysis (IMEA): "The case for Investing in Community
Resilience: Social Capital as a currency after a Disaster Response." 💪
💭 I.
Imagine...
A future where disaster-affected
communities are rebuilt with resilience, powered by the strength of their
social capital. In this vision, communities come together through volunteerism
and community building, creating deep social connections and civic engagement
that safeguard the vulnerable during disasters and foster collective strength.
💡 II.
Imagined Endstate:
Envision a world where communities are
not just physically prepared for disasters but socially and emotionally
resilient. Communities in this future proactively cultivate social capital,
which becomes the bedrock of their resilience. Through volunteerism, civic
engagement, and mutual support, they are well-prepared to face disasters,
ensuring that no one is left behind in times of crisis.
💼
III. What's the Case:
Every disaster, whether natural or
man-made, reveals vulnerabilities not just in our lifesaving essential
resources like our medical supply chain; it also impacts the very fabric of our
communities. Disasters lay bare the inequities and shortcomings in our
collective ability to respond and recover. Ensuring the swift delivery of
essential life-saving resources during a crisis is crucial for saving lives,
but resilience is necessary for the community to carry on in the aftermath.
As evident in the Maui wildfire of 2023,
though the local, state, and federal responses were needed and necessary, the
community remained the linchpin and guidepost for recovery. It was quickly
recognized that the most reliable, nimblest, and dependable resources
communities had were the communities in and of themselves. Here it was proven
that the benefit of social capital in a response was valuable and substantial. Communities
were bound by deep social connections, civic engagement, and adherence to the cultural
significance of the “sense of place”. It allowed for an environment of community-based
mutual support that safeguarded the vulnerable and fostered a collective
strength for those impacted by disasters.
🔎
IV. Consider This:
Fig 1. Provides a Table of Methods How to
Invest with Social Capital in Disaster Response:
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Fig 1:
Social Capital Methods (SCM)
|
(SCM) Descriptions
|
|
Citizen Involvement
|
Ordinary citizens are often the initial first
responders in emergencies, providing invaluable assistance to affected
communities.
|
|
Digital Volunteerism
|
Advanced tech enables digital volunteerism,
allowing remote contributions.
|
|
Cultural Competency Experts
|
Informal volunteers can provide much-needed
expertise in understanding the host culture of the community to aid in the
response effort.
|
|
Data Analysts
|
Adaptive and projected impact models provide
avenues for better planning and strategy in the response.
|
|
Cooperation and Coordination Liaisons
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Field experts can create avenues for responders to
interact and message their efforts to the community.
|
|
Observers and Recorders
|
Capturing data that can be used in research is
needed and will be beneficial in future disasters that impact communities.
|
📚 V.
Research This:
1. Whittaker,
J., McLennan, B. J., & Handmer, J. (July 2015). A review of informal
volunteerism in emergencies and disasters: Definition, opportunities, and
challenges. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 13(4).
2. U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. (February 9, 2023). Fact Sheet:
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Transition Roadmap.
3. Homeland
Security News Wire. (19 August 2023). Hurricanes Have Become Deadlier,
Especially for Socially Vulnerable.
4. Schwartz,
G. (2023, August 9). Community Preparedness for the Socially & Civically
Isolated.
5. IMSPARK:
Disaster Resilience with Community Building and Volunteerism, August 25, 2023,
Imagine Pacific Pulse
6. IMSPARK:
Imagine Empowered Communities in Disaster Response: Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT), August 17, 2023, Imagine Pacific Pulse
🌍
VI. Secondary Benefits for Communities:
1. Enhanced
Disaster Resilience: Social capital allows communities to
withstand disasters with resilience, ensuring that even the most vulnerable are
protected.
2. Inclusive
Preparedness: Ensures vulnerable and marginalized communities,
including those with impairments, have access to accommodations, vital
medicines, and treatment.
3. Unity
and Support: In an era of increasing loneliness and isolation,
embedding social capital into emergency strategies fosters unity, support, and
resilience. Socially isolated individuals become integrated into a network of
mutual aid.
📊
VII. QR Reader Survey:
To better understand the importance of
social capital in disaster response, we invite readers to participate in our QR
Reader Survey. Your insights will contribute to Imagine Pacific’s understanding
and assessment of how communities leverage social capital for resilience.
📢 VIII. Call to Action:
We
call upon communities, organizations, and policymakers to recognize the pivotal
role of social capital in disaster response. Here's how you can make a
difference:
1.
Support
Initiatives: Back
initiatives that promote volunteerism, civic engagement, and community building.
2. Engage with Communities: Reach out to vulnerable and marginalized
communities, ensuring they have access to necessary accommodations, vital resources,
safety and security.
3. Embrace Unity: Encourage unity and support within your
community. Support networks that work toward the mission leaving no one behind
in times of crisis.
4. Advocate for Inclusivity: Advocate for inclusivity in disaster
preparedness strategies. Every individual, regardless of abilities, deserves
protection from the threat of disasters.
5. Collaborate: Encourage local organizations and
authorities to integrate social capital into emergency responses.
🤝 IX. Conclusion:
In a world where
disaster response is often measured in terms of resources and logistics, let us
not forget the most valuable resource of all - the strength of our communities
bound by social capital. The most crucial asset to ensure stays online is the power
of community. If we successfully sustain this most vital utility, we can create
a world where disaster response isn't just about recovery; it's about building
stronger, more resilient communities that can recover from any disaster.
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