IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i2p425-d476299.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Rapid Assessment of Disaster Preparedness Needs and Resources during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Lawrence A. Palinkas

    (Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0411, USA)

  • Benjamin F. Springgate

    (LSU Health Sciences Center—New Orleans, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

  • Olivia K. Sugarman

    (LSU Health Sciences Center—New Orleans, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

  • Jill Hancock

    (Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA)

  • Ashley Wennerstrom

    (LSU Health Sciences Center—New Orleans, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

  • Catherine Haywood

    (Louisiana Community Health Outreach Network, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA)

  • Diana Meyers

    (St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA)

  • Arthur Johnson

    (Lower Ninth Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA)

  • Mara Polk

    (National Alliance on Metal Illness-New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70115, USA)

  • Carter L. Pesson

    (LSU Health Sciences Center—New Orleans, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

  • Jessica E. Seay

    (LSU Health Sciences Center—New Orleans, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

  • Caroline N. Stallard

    (LSU Health Sciences Center—New Orleans, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

  • Kenneth B. Wells

    (Center for Health Services and Society, Jane and Terry Semel Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA)

Abstract

Background: This year has seen the emergence of two major crises, a significant increase in the frequency and severity of hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known as to how each of these two events have impacted the other. A rapid qualitative assessment was conducted to determine the impact of the pandemic on preparedness and response to natural disasters and the impact of past experiences with natural disasters in responding to the pandemic. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 representatives of 24 different community-based programs in southern Louisiana. Data were analyzed using procedures embedded in the Rapid Assessment Procedure-Informed Community Ethnography methodology, using techniques of immersion and crystallization and focused thematic analysis. Results: The pandemic has impacted the form and function of disaster preparedness, making it harder to plan for evacuations in the event of a hurricane. Specific concerns included being able to see people in person, providing food and other resources to residents who shelter in place, finding volunteers to assist in food distribution and other forms of disaster response, competing for funds to support disaster-related activities, developing new support infrastructures, and focusing on equity in disaster preparedness. However, several strengths based on disaster preparedness experience and capabilities were identified, including providing a framework for how to respond and adapt to COVID and integration of COVID response with their normal disaster preparedness activities. Conclusions: Although prior experience has enabled community-based organizations to respond to the pandemic, the pandemic is also creating new challenges to preparing for and responding to natural disasters.

Suggested Citation

  • Lawrence A. Palinkas & Benjamin F. Springgate & Olivia K. Sugarman & Jill Hancock & Ashley Wennerstrom & Catherine Haywood & Diana Meyers & Arthur Johnson & Mara Polk & Carter L. Pesson & Jessica E. S, 2021. "A Rapid Assessment of Disaster Preparedness Needs and Resources during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:425-:d:476299
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/2/425/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/2/425/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xin Li & Peixin Lu & Lianting Hu & Tianhui Huang & Long Lu, 2020. "Factors Associated with Mental Health Results among Workers with Income Losses Exposed to COVID-19 in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-11, August.
    2. Wells, K.B. & Tang, J. & Lizaola, E. & Jones, F. & Brown, A. & Stayton, A. & Williams, M. & Chandra, A. & Eisenman, D. & Fogleman, S. & Plough, A., 2013. "Applying community engagement to disaster planning: Developing the vision and design for the Los Angeles county community disaster resilience initiative," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(7), pages 1172-1180.
    3. Chandra, A. & Williams, M. & Plough, A. & Stayton, A. & Wells, K.B. & Horta, M. & Tang, J., 2013. "Getting actionable about community resilience: The Los Angeles county community disaster resilience project," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(7), pages 1181-1189.
    4. Robin Keegan & Leslie T. Grover & David Patron & Olivia K. Sugarman & Krystal Griffith & Suzy Sonnier & Benjamin F. Springgate & Lauren Crapanzano Jumonville & Sarah Gardner & Willie Massey & Jeanne M, 2018. "Case Study of Resilient Baton Rouge: Applying Depression Collaborative Care and Community Planning to Disaster Recovery," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-13, June.
    5. Morton, M.J. & Lurie, N., 2013. "Community resilience and public health practice," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(7), pages 1158-1160.
    6. Benjamin F. Springgate & Armen C. Arevian & Ashley Wennerstrom & Arthur J. Johnson & David P. Eisenman & Olivia K. Sugarman & Catherine G. Haywood & Edward J. Trapido & Cathy D. Sherbourne & Ashley Ev, 2018. "Community Resilience Learning Collaborative and Research Network (C-LEARN): Study Protocol with Participatory Planning for a Randomized, Comparative Effectiveness Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Brielle Lillywhite & Gregor Wolbring, 2022. "Emergency and Disaster Management, Preparedness, and Planning (EDMPP) and the ‘Social’: A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-50, October.
    2. Lawrence A. Palinkas & Jessenia De Leon & Erika Salinas & Sonali Chu & Katharine Hunter & Timothy M. Marshall & Eric Tadehara & Christopher M. Strnad & Jonathan Purtle & Sarah McCue Horwitz & Mary M. , 2021. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Policy and Practice Implementation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-21, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Benjamin F. Springgate & Armen C. Arevian & Ashley Wennerstrom & Arthur J. Johnson & David P. Eisenman & Olivia K. Sugarman & Catherine G. Haywood & Edward J. Trapido & Cathy D. Sherbourne & Ashley Ev, 2018. "Community Resilience Learning Collaborative and Research Network (C-LEARN): Study Protocol with Participatory Planning for a Randomized, Comparative Effectiveness Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Yusuke Toyoda, 2021. "Survey paper: achievements and perspectives of community resilience approaches to societal systems," Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, Springer, vol. 5(3), pages 705-756, October.
    3. Elizabeth Bromley & David P. Eisenman & Aizita Magana & Malcolm Williams & Biblia Kim & Michael McCreary & Anita Chandra & Kenneth B. Wells, 2017. "How Do Communities Use a Participatory Public Health Approach to Build Resilience? The Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-14, October.
    4. David Eisenman & Anita Chandra & Stella Fogleman & Aizita Magana & Astrid Hendricks & Ken Wells & Malcolm Williams & Jennifer Tang & Alonzo Plough, 2014. "The Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience Project — A Community-Level, Public Health Initiative to Build Community Disaster Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-16, August.
    5. Odeya Cohen & Stav Shapira & Limor Aharonson-Daniel & Judith Shamian, 2019. "Confidence in Health-Services Availability during Disasters and Emergency Situations—Does it Matter?—Lessons Learned from an Israeli Population Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-12, September.
    6. Jorge Moya & María Goenechea, 2022. "An Approach to the Unified Conceptualization, Definition, and Characterization of Social Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, May.
    7. Kristen Burwell-Naney & Sacoby M. Wilson & Siobhan T. Whitlock & Robin Puett, 2019. "Hybrid Resiliency-Stressor Conceptual Framework for Informing Decision Support Tools and Addressing Environmental Injustice and Health Inequities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-19, April.
    8. Robin Keegan & Leslie T. Grover & David Patron & Olivia K. Sugarman & Krystal Griffith & Suzy Sonnier & Benjamin F. Springgate & Lauren Crapanzano Jumonville & Sarah Gardner & Willie Massey & Jeanne M, 2018. "Case Study of Resilient Baton Rouge: Applying Depression Collaborative Care and Community Planning to Disaster Recovery," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-13, June.
    9. Malcolm V. Williams & Anita Chandra & Asya Spears & Danielle Varda & Kenneth B. Wells & Alonzo L. Plough & David P. Eisenman, 2018. "Evaluating Community Partnerships Addressing Community Resilience in Los Angeles, California," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-13, March.
    10. Maysa H. Almomani & Wejdan A. Khater & Laila M. Akhu-Zaheya & Aladeen Alloubani & Safa A. AlAshram & Mohammed Azab & Adeeb K. Al-malkawi, 2022. "Nurses’ Experiences of Caring for Patients with COVID-19: A Qualitative Study," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, December.
    11. Alisha KC & Connie Cai Ru Gan & Febi Dwirahmadi, 2019. "Breaking Through Barriers and Building Disaster Mental Resilience: A Case Study in the Aftermath of the 2015 Nepal Earthquakes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-18, August.
    12. Iskandar Zainuddin Rela & Zaimah Ramli & Muhammad Zamrun Firihu & Weka Widayati & Abd Hair Awang & Nasaruddin Nasaruddin, 2022. "COVID-19 Risk Management and Stakeholder Action Strategies: Conceptual Frameworks for Community Resilience in the Context of Indonesia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-19, July.
    13. Alan Kirschenbaum, 2021. "Reducing patient surge: community based social networks as first responders," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 108(1), pages 163-175, August.
    14. Blake Poland & Anne Gloger & Garrett T. Morgan & Norene Lach & Suzanne F. Jackson & Rylan Urban & Imara Rolston, 2021. "A Connected Community Approach: Citizens and Formal Institutions Working Together to Build Community-Centred Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-17, September.
    15. Despina Saghin & Maria-Magdalena Lupchian & Daniel Lucheș, 2022. "Social Cohesion and Community Resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Northern Romania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-15, April.
    16. Ming Zhong & Lu Xiao & Qian Zhang & Tao Jiang, 2021. "Risk Perception, Risk Communication, and Mitigation Actions of Flash Floods: Results from a Survey in Three Types of Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-23, November.
    17. Weerawat Ounsaneha & Orapin Laosee & Thunwadee Tachapattaworakul Suksaroj & Cheerawit Rattanapan, 2023. "Preventive Behaviors and Influencing Factors among Thai Residents in Endemic Areas during the Highest Epidemic Peak of the COVID-19 Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-13, January.
    18. Shona C. Easton-Gomez & Mike Mouritz & Jessica K. Breadsell, 2022. "Enhancing Emotional Resilience in the Face of Climate Change Adversity: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-23, October.
    19. Ke Cui & Ziqiang Han & Dongming Wang, 2018. "Resilience of an Earthquake-Stricken Rural Community in Southwest China: Correlation with Disaster Risk Reduction Efforts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-14, February.
    20. Karl Gauffin & Josephine Jackisch & Ylva B. Almquist, 2021. "Rocks, Dandelions or Steel Springs: Understanding Resilience from a Public Health Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-8, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:425-:d:476299. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.