Complementing our other pillars, Rural LISC works to support disaster-impacts to community and economic development. We look for opportunities to help our network of local community-based organizations lead and support disaster-related needs within their communities.
Many disaster relief organizations deploy volunteers, expertise, and resources into a community from afar when experiencing a disaster. This surge capacity helps the community in those moments of crisis, but it does not provide the long term continuity or local knowledge that is needed. Research and practice has continually demonstrated that decentralized, locally-driven disaster management is better for the community in many ways, including:
Greater understanding of local resources and constraints
Greater understanding of local threats, vulnerabilities, and risks
Increased social resilience through neighbors-helping-neighbors models
Greater representation of community needs and goals
More likelihood of initiatives being executed
Greater motivation and advocacy for the community’s interests and culture
Our network of rural partners work to improve their own communities and neighborhoods every day, long before and after disasters strike. Their involvement in preparing their community for disasters, responding to disasters within their community, and helping in the recovery after a disaster is critical.
Through this network of community organizations, Rural LISC’s seeks to increase the capacity of the local level to support disaster solutions in their own backyard. By providing technical assistance, funding opportunities and situational awareness, we seek to help local community-based organizations expand or extend their services to support the entire disaster cycle as they see best for their community. At Rural LISC, we dream of a day when funds for disasters go directly to local organizations and local efforts, and they have the capacity and expertise to mobilize them effectively for their community’s interests.
