Immigrants and Responses to Emergencies: Perspectives on 2011 Flood in Manitoba Immaculate Nabisere (MRD) Research Assistant Rural Development Institute Brandon University Brandon, Manitoba

Slide 2 Introduction Influx of immigrants to rural areas Need for formal and informal partnerships in communities (Especially that related to Disaster Risk Management) Case study in Brandon on immigrants and Vulnerability Source: Vander Ploeg, 2000; Kates, 1971; Manyena, 2003; and Paton and Johnston, 2006

Outline 1.Definitions of Terms Used 2.Objectives 3.Method 4.Findings: Immigrant Vulnerability Partnerships – Immigrant Service Providers 5.Strategies

Slide 4 Definitions of Terms Used Disaster Risk Management Prevention/Mitigation - PREPAREDNESS - RESPONSE - Recovery Vulnerability of humans  Physical, social, economic, and environmental factors Hazards  Situation that may cause loss of lives, property damage, loss of livelihoods, economic disruption, and environmental damage Emergency  Flood, snowstorm, fire, which warrants actions to save lives, and protect property. (UNISDR Terminology on Disaster Risk Reduction, 2008). (FEMA, Guide For All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning (SLG 101), 1996, p. GLO-2)

Slide 5 1. To investigate the vulnerability of immigrants in rural communities. 2. To examine the challenges faced by rural communities in the inclusion of migrant considerations into the disaster risk management planning. 3. Examine the relationships/ partnerships that exist among immigrant service providers 4. To explore and identify strategies for the integration and inclusion of migrant consideration in DRM planning in rural communities. Objectives

Slide 6 METHOD  Case Study in Brandon  56 interviews with immigrants 77% 5 yrs  7 key informant interviews with service providers  1 interview with DRM Coordinator Limitations  Social sensitivity and fear of reprimand  Limited literature

Findings – Immigrants Vulnerability Access to hazard information Hazard Awareness & Experience Hazard Preparedness Knowledge of early warning system Language Proficiency ** n=56 – all questions were answered.

Hazard Awareness & Experience Positive 59% are aware of hazards in Brandon 93% have not experienced hazards in Brandon 93% are aware of floods in Brandon 70% no experience in country of origin Negative 41% unaware of the hazards in Brandon 7% has experienced hazards in Brandon 18% affected by the 2011 flood 30% experienced floods in country of origin Implication Need to increase awareness Flood experience in both Brandon and country of origin

Access to hazard information Positive: 84% of respondents had access to flood information Negative  16% no access to flood information Implication  Information conveyed in English  Communication gap

Language Proficiency Positive Some level of competency Language services Negative Majority not fluent Implication Their ability to access and disseminate disaster risk related information is limited

Hazard Preparedness Positive Preparedness measures by homeowners Negative No preparedness measures in place by tenants Implication Need to educate the people about preparedness measures

Knowledge of the Early Warning System Positive 2 knew what the early warning system (Siren) Negative 8 mistook the siren system for police or ambulances 46 never heard them Implication Need to create awareness of what the siren system Differences in early warning systems – Traditional vs. Scientific

Partnerships & Integration – Immigrant Service Providers OrganizationsServices ProvidedKnowledge of Immigrant Specific need Westman Immigrant Services  EAL  Settlement Services  Understand Brandon Emergency Support Team & Emergency Coordinator  Spanish booklet  Emergency warnings  To some degree Canadian Red Cross  Smartstart  Restoring Family Links.  Only in relation to the services they provide or amidst response 7 th Street Access Centre  Provides a number of health and social services  To some degree in relation to services provided Assiniboine Community College – Adult Collegiate  EAL  Only in English area Brandon Police Services  issue out messages for evacuation  Dialogues with immigrants  To some degree through their interaction Maple Leaf Foods  Employment  Understand

Partnerships Immigrant Considerations Highlighted Language Issues Cultural Differences Mistrust of the Police Family Differences

Strategies

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