Community Preparedness: Engaging Consulates &

NPOs/NGOs to Improve Disaster Response

Elisa Estrada, MPA

Office of Emergency Preparedness & Response, NYC

DOHMH

Local Communities Chosen

Earthquake in January 2010 - Haiti

Earthquake in February 2010 - Chile

Floods in July-August 2010 - Pakistan

Purpose of the study

Roles Most useful, practical experiences Barriers Recommendations

Respondents’ Roles During Disasters

Consulates NPOs/NGOs Relationship

Respondents’ Roles During Disasters

Consulates Daily operations Emergencies

Update expatriates on latest developments Give press conferences

Respondents’ Roles During Disasters

NPOs/NGOs – MSF, Amnesty Intl’, etc. Prepare containers Coordinate support Provide counseling Give referrals

Respondents’ Roles During Disasters

Relationship (Consulates/NPOs/NGOs) Familiarity

Common Barriers to Disaster Response

Space Containers in ports Hospital policies

regarding patient information

Barriers to Disaster Response

Space Cost Location

Barriers to Disaster Response

Containers in ports Backlog Bureaucracy Political environment “not a known organization”

Barriers to Disaster Response

Hospitals policies regarding patient information Experience in London Concerns about a disaster in NYC

Most useful & practical Experience

Unity Generous donations Family Assistance Center (FAC)

Most useful & practical Experience

Unity Support, coordination, cooperation, speed Non-paid overtime

Most useful & practical Experience

Generous donations Offers Tetanus shots

Most useful & practical Experience

Family Assistance Center (FAC) > 10 fatalities Agencies and NPOs/NGOs involved NYPD operations Rapid return Up-to-date information Daily briefings Ask questions

Summary & Recommendations: Opportunities for Local Government Involvement

Inform all consulates on FAC services OEM, OCME, DOHMH

Sponsor a conference Consulate/NGOs

Potential to re-direct stockpile supplies Rotation

Opportunities for OEPR

Acknowledgements Dale McShine, MS Christopher Godfrey, PhD Haitian, Chilean & Pakistani

Consulates Gabriela Mistral Foundation Chile Club Haitian American Nurses

Association Haitian Americans United

for Progress Pakistani American

Pharmaceutical Association

Questions, comments