Preparing for disaster
Many of us have had to act fast in crisis, like seeing signs early to be able to call an ambulance.
Disaster preparedness is about planning, organizing, training, and equipping ourselves and others to respond in a disaster situation. It can also be about having tools at your fingertips, like a flashlight. Preparing ahead helps us act and recover faster.
But disasters don’t hit everyone equally, and disaster relief doesn't reach us equally, either: BIPOC and low-income communities are more likely to be hit harder on both fronts.
Even worse, plans like Project 2025, a conservative road map supported by a vast group officials from the first Trump administration, want to gut the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) disaster loan program—the federal government’s largest source of disaster recovery funds for survivors.
We're also more affected by constant disaster, from health to safety to income to environment. When disaster is constant, preparedness looks very different; the body can only take so much stress, and we have to rely on each other and our lived wisdoms, not personal handbooks and expensive emergency kits. We hope some of the tips below help us start reframing the conversation on disaster planning for communities in which disaster is unfortunately the norm.
“Community resilience looks at all aspects of a community (its social fabric, physical infrastructure, local economy) and aims to build relationships and systems that make the whole community more self-sufficient and adaptable to stress. ”
Tips to prepare
Get to know your local community-based organizations (CBOs). CBOs can play a key role in disaster resilience by connecting community members with local government or filling the gaps when government fails us.
Get to know your neighbors. Community organize in your buildings or on your blocks. If you don't know each other, come together and think about organizing a block party. Overtime, you can lean into that space to learn and share what the risks are — for the whole neighborhood and for individual families — and take a community inventory for disaster preparedness.
Find out if there is a community plan. Ask your CBOs! Collaborating with neighbors and local organizations strengthens community resilience. But systems often dramatically fail communities of color in disaster relief. While working to fix the system, community organizations may be able to fill gaps. (And if not, we might be able to take small steps. One community plan and network can build the solidarity you need for many different kinds of disasters, needs, and supports.)
Talk to your loved ones about a communication plan: You probably won't be able to use your cell phone! Think about meeting spots and backup meeting spots.
