Food, water, shelter, electricity. These are basic needs in the wake of a hurricane, tornado or earthquake. But providing any one of them isn鈥檛 always easy.
The challenges, however, can be met, say two researchers at 小黄鸭视频鈥檚 (COPH) who published an article in a special issue in the Journal of Emergency Management called Leave Nobody Behind: Emergency Management in a More Inclusive Way.
and Kayleigh Murray, BSPH, a COPH graduate researcher, serve as the co-first authors of 鈥�.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
The goal is to move toward a more comprehensive model of disaster response, one where food and resources reach everyone 鈭� not just those with the means to acquire them, Dunn said.
鈥淚f we can influence how emergency planners and public health officials design systems and allocate disaster mitigation funds into place to strengthen our food system,鈥欌�� she said, 鈥淲e'll not only reduce food insecurity after disasters but identify strategies to build resilience in the long run.鈥欌��
The call for papers for Leave Nobody Behind aligned with the aim to use public health research strategies for disaster relief. Dunn and Murray鈥檚 response was part of a feasibility study the two worked on for the National Science Foundation's , where they explored the design and feasibility of a web-based geographic information systems (GIS) used as a mapping platform for food distribution in disasters. The two worked with an interdisciplinary team that received a $50,000 grant for the first phase and then competed for, but did not win, a $1 million grant to implement the project.
The multiple disciplines included food system actors; emergency management officials; and 小黄鸭视频 faculty from geosciences, mathematics, statistics and public health.
鈥淲e needed to think about how each of our disciplines could contribute to the research and design of what we were envisioning,鈥欌�� Murray said.
The effort also required boots on the ground to talk to local residents about how they would respond to using and benefit from GIS technologies in the wake of a disaster. About 90% of survey respondents indicating a willingness to use such a tool. The survey involved about 40 COPH students in gathering information, and included co-authors ,, and .
The article鈥檚 introduction states that the need for new approaches to emergency management has never been greater, where officials can better bridge critical gaps in disaster preparedness, response and recovery, especially for traditionally overlooked communities. Developing a decentralized web-based platform to mobilize healthy food options in disaster-affected neighborhoods, designed to use real-time crowd-sourced information, can help identify and prioritize areas in need.
鈥淲e stand at a pivotal moment in the evolution of disaster preparedness and response,鈥欌�� the journal article states. 鈥淭he challenges facing emergency managers today are complex and multifaceted. From the increasing frequency and severity of disasters due to climate change to the ongoing threats of pandemics and man-made crises, the field of emergency management must continuously adapt and innovate.鈥欌��
One of the challenges of providing resources after a disaster is that traditional emergency food systems often rely on centralized distribution points. After hurricane Milton last year, communities around the Tampa Bay area were without power and cut off from food deliveries for days and even weeks. Many people lost their vehicles and grocery stores were closed. Similar issues occurred after the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak.
After witnessing firsthand how disasters 鈭� especially during the pandemic 鈭� expose and deepen long-standing challenges in food access, I knew I couldn't just stand by. While vulnerable communities struggled to get food, many producers and retailers were also grappling with how to reach those most in need. It wasn't just a supply chain issue 鈭� it was a systems failure.
Elizabeth Dunn
鈥淎fter witnessing firsthand how disasters 鈭� especially during the pandemic 鈭� expose and deepen long-standing issues in food access, I knew I couldn't just stand by,鈥欌�� Dunn said. 鈥淲hile vulnerable communities struggled to get food, many producers and retailers were also grappling with how to reach those most in need. It wasn't just a supply chain issue 鈭� it was a systems failure.鈥欌��
With her background in public health and emergency management, Dunn saw an opportunity to connect the dots: 鈥淚 became motivated to bridge that gap by combining science with lived experience; bringing together researchers, community members, emergency managers and food system partners to explore solutions that are practical and include everyone.鈥欌��
Although the two researchers expressed disappointment over not winning the $1 million grant to complete the project, they say it hasn鈥檛 stopped the momentum. They are building a foundation with the initial research and community partnerships and have been working with the Hillsborough County Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COAD). Dunn was able to gain critical insight after working with the Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management to mobilize over 675 小黄鸭视频 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers during Hurricanes Helene and Milton to support food distribution efforts.
At the end of May, a team of faculty and students from the COPH hosted a World Caf茅 Community Conversations event designed to build relationships and support the workforce who are on the frontlines helping people get food and other resources after a disaster. Dunn has also taken a leading role in the Emergency Food Working Group through the 小黄鸭视频 Future of Food Think Tank and will be attending an upcoming Feeding Tampa Bay event that focuses on building resilient food systems in the area.
Now that another hurricane season has arrived in Florida, Dunn said, there鈥檚 no time to lose on being better prepared.
鈥淲e鈥檝e started building GIS maps to look at vulnerable communities to help organizations be able to identify areas for program planning and increased preparation,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淲e're able to take the lessons learned from the last hurricane season to identify ways to make a difference for future seasons.鈥欌��