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Assessing the Emergency Response Role of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) Serving People with Disabilities and Older Adults in Puerto Rico Post-Hurricane María and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Engelman, Alina; Guzzardo, Mariana T; Antolin Muñiz, Marley; Arenas, Laura; Gomez, Aracely.
  • Engelman A; Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA.
  • Guzzardo MT; Department of Human Development and Women's Studies, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA.
  • Antolin Muñiz M; Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA.
  • Arenas L; Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA.
  • Gomez A; Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 19(4)2022 02 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1690232
ABSTRACT
In Puerto Rico, a host of factors makes the role of community-based organizations (CBOs) critically important in emergency preparedness and response (EPR) and disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DiDRR) addressing the needs of people with disabilities and older adults. The territory has been the site of recurring hurricanes, earthquakes, medical crises, and human-made disasters. Political, social, and economic problems unique to the archipelago have historically limited the preparedness and response capacity of governmental authorities, especially for its most at-risk populations. In a context of severe constraints on government resources, CBOs are positioned to play an outsized role in providing services for disabled and older adults before, during, and after emergencies. This study assesses the emergency preparedness and response capacity of CBOs (n = 22) for addressing the needs of people with disabilities and the elderly. Semi-structured, largely closed-ended interviews were conducted in Spanish with key informants at Puerto Rican CBOs. The interviews included questions about emergency preparedness and response training, as well as organizational capacity during COVID-19 and post-Hurricane María. This study posits that conditions in Puerto Rico place CBOs at the forefront of critical responsibilities including emergency preparedness and response, warranting assessment of their practices and resources to assist them in fulfilling their mission.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Disabled Persons / Cyclonic Storms / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Aged / Humans Country/Region as subject: Caribbean / Puerto Rico Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ijerph19042156

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Disabled Persons / Cyclonic Storms / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Aged / Humans Country/Region as subject: Caribbean / Puerto Rico Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ijerph19042156