Research shows community and connection keys to weathering the storm

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Whether preparing for disasters, managing through them, or bouncing back afterwards, communities with strong social capital, high levels of inclusion, diversity of leadership and positive engagement with the emergency management system, were better placed to recover, according to research from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR)

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When communities lead and drive resilience building efforts, these efforts are sustained for longer [and] they have ongoing positive impacts across the community,” O’Brien says.

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Researchers identified recurring forms of self-organised community responses to natural disasters including sharing critical information, organising house searches and welfare checks, rescuing stranded people, caring for animals, cleaning up, providing basic resources such as food, water, fuel, and machinery, and coordinating volunteers and donations from other communities.

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