Page 42 - NC Hurricane Recovery Report

Summary

These concepts, taken together, could be an immensely powerful force for citizens who are
affected by disasters. One factor that keeps coming to memory from the first phase of this
process that included the focus group sessions, is the benefit of local participation. It was
stressed during all of our field visits that it is very helpful to have people who are knowledgeable
of the people and surroundings in the community that is affected by a disaster. Bringing
together all of these assets could be a very effective way of helping citizens recover from a
disaster.

Communities confronted with disaster have unique needs and challenges when it comes to
assisting underserved populations. The concepts gathered here focus on the collective strength
of community action agencies and their ability to efficiently and effectively coordinate
resources, and leverage resources at all levels with a variety of partners both public and private,
local, state and federal, and with input from the low-incomecommunity.

While funding is needed to implement these concepts, we believe the costs associated with
preparedness and recovery will be far less if implemented, than the costs over time of
continuing not to bridge the gaps and educate vulnerable citizens on what to do and how to
respond when communities are threatened by disaster.

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