In New York City (NYC), Haitian, Chilean, and Pakistani communities responded strongly to 2010 earthquakes and floods in their countries. Understanding how NYC-based expatriate communities coordinated their responses to disasters in their home countries may aid the NYC Department of Health’s plans to support emergency response efforts. The impact of hardships, miscommunication, misunderstandings, delays, trauma, and other distresses associated with disasters is lessened and community recovery hastened. The chart below depicts the population of these communities in the 5 boroughs. Estimated Populations of Pakistani, Haitian, and Chilean Expatriates in New York City Source: American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau Objectives Gain a better understanding of the coordination and mobilization of the response of New York City-based expatriate communities to disasters in their home countries. Identify successful strategies, facilitating factors, and barriers to effective response. Methods Semi-structured interviews were held encompassing four topics: Community resilience and preparedness: City government engagement with consulates and NGOs/NPOs to reach a wider audience Elisa Estrada, MPA New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Introduction Recommendations for Local Government Inform all consulates about FAC services o Outreach by the NYC Office of Emergency Management and NYC Health Department/Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Sponsor a conference o Consulate/NGOs Potential to re-direct stockpile supplies o Rotation Opportunities for the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response Conclusions The NYC Department of Health has aided disaster recovery efforts by providing information about the Family Assistance Centers and other critical data. In other cities, counties, or villages a local health department or other public health agency may take the lead in a similar situation. Strong relationships and coordination of local governments with area NGOs, NPOs, and consulates are vital in promoting and preparing for effective and efficient disaster response. Contact: Elisa Estrada, MPA Program & Fiscal Manager Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene th Street WS 6-86 Queens, NY Telephone: o Roles in a disaster o Most useful, practical experiences o Barriers to disaster response o Recommendations for local government involvement Participants: o Five NGOs/NPOs (nine invited)  Gabriela Mistral Foundation (Chile)  The Chile Club  Haitian American Nurses Association (HANA)  Haitian Americans United for Progress (HAUP)  Pakistani American Pharmaceutical Association o Three consulates: Chile, Haiti, Pakistan Results Roles in a Disaster Consulates o Update expatriates on developments and welfare of potentially affected loved ones o Communicate with local press o Ask the community to remain calm NPOs/NGOs o Prepare containers with donations (canned food, medicine, medical supplies, and clothes) o Coordinate support for affected citizens (telephone lines and Internet access to locate and communicate with families) o Provide counseling and give referrals Relationship (Consulates & NPOs/NGOs) o Familiarity with communities o Established professional relationships Most Useful and Practical Experiences Unity among Consulates and NPOs/NGOs o Support, coordination, cooperation, unity o Non-paid overtime (NGO/NPO staff) Generous donations o Offers o Tetanus shots Family Assistance Centers (FAC) o Activated if incident involves > 10 fatalities o Numerous agencies involved o NYPD operations o Assistance in rapid return of victims o Give up-to-date information o Provide daily briefings o Opportunity for families to ask questions Barriers to Disaster Response Space deficit for storing donations o Cost o Location Major delays in releasing containers in ports o Backlog o Bureaucracy o Political environment o “not a known organization” Hospitals policies regarding patient information o Experience in London o Concerns about a disaster in NYC