The Cloudburst Group’s Post

In the face of such challenges, such as the failed learnings and the state not being as prepared as it could have been, (we hear this too often) it's imperative that we come together as a community to fill these gaps and ensure comprehensive support for affected residents. This is where organisations like the Australian Disaster Alliance (ADA) step in. ADA stands as a beacon of hope, offering a collaborative platform where community, first responders, and the private sector unite with a shared purpose: to assist those in need during times of disaster. By harnessing the collective expertise and resources of our members, ADA is uniquely positioned to provide holistic support, from immediate relief to long-term recovery efforts. One crucial aspect of our mission is to reduce reliance on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for disaster response. While the ADF plays a vital role in emergencies, we believe that by empowering local communities and building capacity at the grassroots level, we can lessen the burden on our military forces. Through proactive community engagement and capacity-building initiatives, ADA aims to equip communities with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to effectively respond to disasters without heavy reliance on external assistance. By fostering partnerships between local authorities, NGOs, businesses, and residents, we can create a resilient ecosystem where communities can support each other in times of need. In the wake of the Lismore flooding, multiple non-profit services have admirably stepped up to assist residents in accessing crucial support and temporary accommodation. However, the magnitude of the challenge demands a coordinated and sustainable approach, which is precisely what ADA embodies. Through collaborative partnerships and a proactive stance, ADA aims to address the root causes of systemic vulnerabilities, ensuring that no community is left behind in the aftermath of a disaster. By leveraging our diverse network of members, we can pool resources, share best practices, and amplify impact, ultimately fostering resilient communities that are better equipped to weather future storms. As we reflect on the lessons learned from past crises, let us commit to building a more resilient future, one where the Australian Disaster Alliance plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the well-being of our communities. Together, we can make a difference. Join us in our mission. Together, we are stronger. #DisasterResponse #CommunityResilience #AustralianDisasterAlliance #Collaboration #ResilientCommunities #ReducingRelianceADF https://lnkd.in/gn-XCqbV

During day two of the Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning Systems, a critical question emerged regarding the involvement of marginalized groups—such as persons with disabilities, migrant communities, indigenous peoples, youth, the elderly, and women’s networks—in the design and implementation of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS). It became evident that their participation is essential for creating effective and inclusive systems that provide accessible and actionable information during emergencies. Currently, significant gaps exist in our country's approach, with limited engagement from these key groups leading to ineffective communication and unmet needs during disasters. To improve MHEWS, several steps are recommended: 1. Engagement: Actively involve representatives from diverse communities in the design phase. 2. Capacity Building: Provide training and resources to empower these groups. 3. Accessibility: Ensure communication is available in multiple languages and formats. 4. Collaboration: Foster partnerships among government agencies, civil society, and community groups. 5. Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly assess MHEWS effectiveness and incorporate community feedback. By prioritizing inclusivity and engaging diverse communities, we can enhance MHEWS and build a more resilient society capable of effectively responding to disasters.

In times of life-threatening emergencies, we don't stop to ask: who are you voting for? Are you American? What are your preferred pronouns? We just help! We do everything in our power and means to assist our neighbors, our community, our fellow Americans. We respond "with our best, rise to a moment of crisis, do everything we can to lift up folks who deserve to be seen and heard. Communities come together... And as they always do, our first responders are working around the clock, putting their own live at risk, to keep our communities safe. Moments like this remind us that we have so much more in common than what separates us." VP Harris For people seeking assistance: "FEMA assistance in Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina may include a one-time $750 payment to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies. After registering for disaster assistance, individuals may also qualify to receive disaster-related financial assistance to repair storm-related damage to homes and replace personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay. People can apply in 4 ways: 1. online by visiting: disasterassistance.gov 2. calling 1-800-621-3362 3. on the FEMA App 4. via disaster recovery centers" https://lnkd.in/ezG9j3qt For #business owners, entrepreneurs and founders who are seeking assistance head to the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster assistance website for details on how to access support: https://lnkd.in/ef-p7X9r To everyone - Your Mental Health Matters: If you need to talk with someone as you are living through the impact of this trauma, please call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. The national hotline provides free 24/7, crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing ASL callers can use a videophone or ASL Now. Thank you to ALL of the federal agencies listed in the above briefing and the state and local emergency services teams and volunteers working on the ground. To all of you mourning, suffering and deeply impacted by this storm, my thoughts are with you and your families. Please stay safe.

First responders and disaster teams focus all their attention on mitigating crises with the resources they have. It's not about looking good, raising money, or pointing fingers at those working hard to remedy the situation. However, as we head to the polls, there are critical points to consider: 🌍 **Climate Disasters**: Increasing in frequency and severity, yet the GOP still dismisses the climate crisis as a hoax. The recent Continuing Resolution (CR) cut funds for disaster relief. Will there be enough resources to help states affected by Helene? 📉 **Project 2025**: This initiative continues to deny the climate crisis, defunding essential programs like NOAA and the National Weather Service, and hamstringing FEMA and other government agencies designed to help. 🚨 **Leadership Matters**: Trump's handling of disasters is a stark reminder of his presidency's failures—altering storm paths with a sharpie, throwing paper towels, and suggesting bleach injections. We cannot afford to go back.

I promise I didn't time this blog with the arrival of Tropical Storm Helene. The fact of the matter is you just never know when a natural or public health disaster is going to strike. We have had "20 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters that impacted the United States through August 2024," according to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). September also marks 20 years that National Preparedness Month has been observed. During National Preparedness Month and beyond, it’s important for homeless service systems to ensure they have a plan should a disaster impact their area. Check out my latest blog to learn about equity-based emergency management practices and explore why communities must develop an emergency preparedness, response, and recovery that prioritizes the needs and vulnerabilities of people experiencing homelessness at every phase. #disasterplanning #disasterpreparedness #disasterrecovery #equityinemergencymanagement #endhomelessness https://lnkd.in/eGjYHyf2

📢 NC SILC Hurricane Helene Update & Resources for People with Disabilities Our thoughts continue to be with everyone affected by Hurricane Helene. We're relieved to share that we’ve reached out to our council members and CIL staff in areas impacted by the storm and they are safe. We’ll provide updates on how we can best support them and other Centers for Independent Living (CILs) as soon as possible. NC SILC is actively collaborating with NC Emergency Management, FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency, the NC Inclusive Disaster Recovery Network, and others to ensure that North Carolinians with disabilities have access to vital resources. Here are some key resources and pieces of information should you need assistance: - Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies Hotline: Call/Text 1-800-626-4959 or email [email protected] for disability-specific disaster support. - Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 (Press 2 for Spanish) for 24/7 emotional support for disaster survivors and responders. - Trying to locate someone? Text “PERSON” to 211 for assistance. - Be cautious of scams: NC Emergency Management has issued a warning to stay vigilant. - You can apply for FEMA aid by calling (800) 621-3362, visiting https://buff.ly/3PeCFJC, using the FEMA app, or visiting a local Disaster Recovery Center. - Crisis Cleanup Hotline: Call 844-965-1386 for volunteer assistance with debris removal and other urgent needs. - T-Mobile & Verizon: New cell towers with "disaster roaming" are being set up. Restart your phone if service drops to connect to a new network. For more detailed information, visit the NC Department of Public Safety at https://buff.ly/3XKBZjr If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We're here to help North Carolina's disability community through these challenging times. Phone: Phone: 984-480-6328 #NCSILC #HurricaneHelene #EmergencyResources #DisabilitySupport #InclusiveRecovery #FEMA

Enhancing Disaster Resilience in Black Communities: The Role of Education and Empowerment  Disasters can have a profound impact on communities, and Black communities often face disproportionate challenges due to systemic inequities and historical marginalization. Vincent B. Davis's Empowered and Prepared: A Disaster Resilience Guide for Black Communities is a vital resource that addresses these issues head-on, providing tailored strategies to enhance disaster resilience. The Reality of Disaster Vulnerability: Black communities frequently experience higher vulnerability to disasters due to a combination of factors: Economic Disparities: Limited financial resources can hinder the ability to prepare for and recover from disasters. Health Inequities: Existing health disparities can be exacerbated during disasters, making it essential to have targeted preparedness plans. Institutional Barriers: Historical and systemic racism can result in unequal access to emergency services and resources. The Power of Tailored Education: Empowered and Prepared offers a comprehensive approach to disaster resilience, focusing on the specific needs of Black communities. Vincent B. Davis provides: Actionable Advice: Practical steps for individuals, families, and communities to enhance their disaster preparedness. Community Engagement: Strategies to mobilize and empower community members to take collective action. Resource Allocation: Guidance on advocating for equitable distribution of resources and support. Empowerment Through Resilience: This book is more than just a guide—it's a tool for empowerment. By providing the knowledge and resources needed to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, it helps Black communities build resilience and reduce vulnerability. A Vision for a Resilient Future: Creating resilient communities requires a multifaceted approach that includes education, advocacy, and systemic change. Empowered and Prepared emphasizes the importance of all three, offering a roadmap for building stronger, more resilient Black communities. Join the Movement: Every community deserves to be prepared for disasters, and every individual has a role to play in building resilience. By reading and sharing Empowered and Prepared, you are contributing to a movement towards equitable disaster preparedness. Be a part of the change. Get your copy today and empower your community for a more resilient future: https://a.co/d/8XzK07P #DisasterResilience #BlackCommunities #CommunityEmpowerment #EmergencyPreparedness #EducationalPost

Local leadership and coordinated efforts are key to minimizing the impact of disasters. Explore the critical role of community preparedness in disaster mitigation. https://lnkd.in/dm-uijEf

📣 More women leading disaster response in 2024 please! ActionAid created the Arise Fund, to train more women around the world to prepare for and respond to emergencies. https://bit.ly/3YMw1Pe A snippet of our work in 2023:  ● Arise funding enabled us to support women to build resilience and prepare for future crises in two areas of southern Malawi which are prone to flooding. - women leaders to developed community-based disaster risk management plans and a country-level disaster preparedness plan which will support the well-being of people most affected by disasters including older people, pregnant women and those with disabilities - ActionAid worked alongside partners to support women and young people to carry out awareness raising sessions ahead of Tropical Cyclone Freddy which made landfall in March and was forecasted to cause flooding. Women leaders reached 10,500 people and as a result, people were able to move out of the flood prone areas to higher grounds or camps early, reducing loss of life  ● We delivered an emergency protection response for people affected by conflict in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. This response included distributing cash transfers to women-led households, enabling women and their families to meet their essential needs, providing dignity kits to women and girls and supporting women's groups to develop protection risk reduction plans alongside local authorities  ● This is alongside influencing disaster risk reduction meetings at the UN, supporting the roll out of a women-led community protection toolkit in several African countries alongside UN Women and creating reports including 'Standing up for our rights - Feminist insights from the Ukraine response.' Looking forward to creating more impact together next year! 🙌 Huge thank you to our generous supporters and to our fantastic Leadership Circle – Rowena Samarasinhe, Louise Holden, Ruth Holdaway MBE, Miranda . From planning and strategy to implementation on the front lines, the Arise Fund is led by women at every level. Donations go directly to where they’re needed the most: to the women leaders who know best how to support their communities. ☀️ We need people who share the vision of the Arise Fund to join us as supporters. ☀️ People who make change happen rather than waiting for it. ☀️ People who know a woman’s place is leading the charge. ☀️ And people who know that investing in women’s leadership will fundamentally transform the world for good. If you'd like to find out more, please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

Spotlight on Older Persons in Emergencies: #WEAAD2024 On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, let's tell a story. Just 12 days ago, the North Coast of KZN was devastated by a tornado, causing unthinkable damage as it tore through the community of Tongaat. These natural disasters are becoming increasingly common, and as we navigate the impact of climate change, it's crucial to spotlight the needs of vulnerable groups, including the elders in our community. This year's theme for WEAAD 2024, "Spotlight on Older Persons in Emergencies," is more relevant than ever. In preparing disaster management plans, emergency preparedness activities, and executing relief operations, the needs of older persons must be considered. Beyond this consideration is the critical importance of having older people at the table as these plans are being devised. Their meaningful participation ensures that the plans made are practical, impactful, and have a higher chance of success. Each of us has a role to play, whether it’s educating ourselves about their needs or co-creating solutions. What remains fundamental is that older people must be centered in our deliberations and plans. This World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, I encourage everyone to join the movement to ensure the protection and safety of elders in our community. I would love to hear your thoughts on how we can do better in spotlighting elders in emergencies. #ElderAbuseAwareness #WEAAD2024 #EldersInEmergencies #ClimateChange #CommunitySafety #InclusionMatters #tafta Call to Action: Share your insights and ideas on how we can better protect and involve older persons in disaster planning and emergency response. Let's work together to create a safer, more inclusive world for all. photocredit: TikTok user Buhlembhele_