Difficulties come to everyone and every community. Whether natural disasters, economic downturns, or social disorder, we can expect at some point our communities will confront hardship. Every individual must take the critical action necessary to prepare themselves and their families for whatever may come.
In the event of a natural disaster or other crisis, leaders in service organizations and NGOs (non-governmental organizations) play a crucial role in helping communities prepare and respond effectively.
Their ability to mobilize resources, coordinate relief efforts, and work with key community stakeholders can make a significant impact.
Outlined below are action steps unique to NGO’s and their leadership that they can plan for before the crisis hits.
- Prepare in Advance
- Join the Community Planning Process: Join the In Trust Network’s community planning process which also includes elected officials, law enforcement, business owners, faith leaders, and engaged individuals. Service groups and NGO’s have an important role to play. Planning in advance will maximize the impact of your participation.
- Raise Awareness and Educate the Public: Service organizations and NGOs should be informed of the risks to their local community including potential natural disasters and severe economic disruption. Further, they should run campaigns to inform the public of those risks. This may include organizing workshops, distributing literature, and using social media to provide tips on personal and community preparedness (e.g., creating emergency kits, making evacuation plans).
- Establish a Community Volunteer Network: Build a list of prospective volunteers throughout the community who will engage when crisis hits. Include up to date contact information for each. Create a communications plan that minimizes the time to contact and deploy volunteers. Have a plan for activation in the event cell service is interrupted. Work through home owners’ associations, parent-teacher groups, political organizations, churches and synagogues, youth groups, and similar-type organizations to identify prospects.
- Train Volunteers and Local Leaders: Offer training to volunteers and community leaders on crisis response, basic first aid, disaster management, and community organizing. This helps build a network of trained individuals who can act quickly and efficiently in times of need.
- Build Community Resilience Programs: NGOs should implement community resilience programs, such as teaching skills related to food security (community gardens, canning, etc.), sustainable energy use, and resource-sharing models. These programs help foster self-sufficiency and readiness for both natural and economic crises.
- Conduct Community Drills and Simulations: Organize mock disaster drills or crisis simulations to prepare residents for emergency situations. These drills can test evacuation routes, resource distribution plans, and communication systems, allowing leaders to identify weaknesses and improve preparedness.
- Develop and Promote Emergency Communication Plans: Establish community-wide communication networks that include NGOs, service organizations, local businesses, and neighborhood leaders. These networks can ensure the flow of accurate, timely information during a crisis, preventing panic and confusion.
- Prepare to Provide Material Support for the Community
- The In Trust Network partners with local and regional banks, and other sources of loans, that may be available to help finance the costs of preparing for crisis. For more information, drop an email to the In Trust Network inquiring about loans and financial services at loans@intrustnetwork.com.
- Stockpile and Manage Supplies: NGOs should work with local government, businesses, and faith groups to build reserves of essential goods—such as food, water, medical supplies, blankets, and hygiene kits—that can be quickly deployed when needed. Partner with suppliers to secure long-term agreements for replenishing stocks during times of crisis.
- Create Distribution Plans: Work with other groups, officials, and businesses in the community to develop detailed, flexible plans for distributing supplies during a crisis. These plans should outline how to get resources to vulnerable populations, coordinate with local shelters or food banks, and manage distribution points in a way that ensures fairness and efficiency.
- Establish Safe Zones and Resource Centers: Collaborate with schools, churches, local officials, and businesses to identify and prepare safe locations where resources can be distributed during emergencies, such as community centers, churches, or schools. To the extent possible, these safe zones should be pre-stocked with supplies and arrangements made with local law enforcement to ensure security and order are maintained.
- Coordinate Transportation and Logistics: Secure transportation resources such as trucks, boats, or off-road vehicles to move supplies quickly, especially if roads or other infrastructure are damaged. NGOs should also map out logistical routes and establish relationships with local transport companies.
- Set Up Mobile Response Units: Depending on the nature of the crisis, NGOs can prepare mobile response units (such as medical teams or food delivery services) that can go directly into hard-hit areas, bringing aid to those unable to access central distribution points.
- Work with Faith-Based Groups, Business Owners, and Law Enforcement Agencies
Elected Officials, and Engaged Individuals
- Form Cross-Sector Partnerships in Advance: NGOs should proactively establish relationships with key community stakeholders—churches, businesses, law enforcement, and elected officials—before a crisis strikes. Utilize the In Trust Network Community Action Councils and their schedule of regular meetings of community leaders to develop joint emergency plans and ensure smooth collaboration during crises.
- Coordinate Resource Sharing: Work with businesses, especially those dealing in food, water, medical supplies, or shelter, to create agreements for sharing resources during a crisis. Businesses may provide storage, logistics, or goods, while NGOs handle distribution and outreach. For more detail, see the In Trust Network’s Emergency Action Steps for Business Owners.
- Partner with the Faith-Based for Relief Efforts: Churches, synagogues, and mosques often serve as community hubs, offering shelter and moral support during crises. NGOs can collaborate with faith-based leaders to distribute supplies, use their facilities as shelters or resource centers, and enlist volunteers from congregations to support relief efforts. For more detail, see the In Trust Network’s guide to Emergency Action Steps for Faith Leaders.
- Collaborate with Law Enforcement for Security and Peacekeeping: Law enforcement is crucial for maintaining order during resource distribution and protecting vulnerable communities. NGOs should work with local police and sheriffs to ensure security at distribution points and shelters, preventing theft or conflict, and ensuring supplies reach those in need. For more detail, see the In Trust Network’s Emergency Action Steps for Law Enforcement.
- Work with Elected Officials to Secure Funding and Policy Support: Elected officials play a critical role in securing emergency funding and enacting policies that facilitate NGO work during crises. NGOs should collaborate with officials to ensure that local regulations support quick and effective response efforts and advocate for financial or logistical support where needed. For more detail, see the In Trust Network’s Emergency Action Steps for Elected Officials.
- Use Data and Technology to Coordinate Efforts: Leverage technology, such as apps or online platforms, to track and manage supplies, coordinate volunteers, and communicate with different partners. Data can be used to assess needs, prioritize areas for resource delivery, and monitor the success of relief efforts.
- Additional Key Strategies for NGOs and Service Organizations:
- Transparency and Accountability: Maintain transparency about how resources are allocated and ensure accountability in the use of donations and funding. This builds trust with both the community and external donors.
- Promote Mental Health Support: In addition to material support, NGOs should recognize the emotional and psychological toll of crises on communities. Partner with mental faith leaders and health professionals to offer counseling, support groups, or crisis hotlines.
- Focus on Long-Term Recovery: After the immediate crisis, NGOs should shift focus to long-term recovery, helping rebuild local economies, restore housing, and support livelihoods. Programs like job retraining, micro-loans, or education initiatives can help communities bounce back.
By preparing in advance, ensuring material resources are available, and building strong partnerships across the community, NGOs and service organizations can play an indispensable role in helping communities not only survive but recover and rebuild after a natural disaster or economic crisis. Collaboration, transparency, and strategic planning are essential to their success.
