A Bosnian Refugee Community’s Hidden Capacity in Preparation for a Natural Disaster in the United States

Abstract

The aim of this study was to map out the internationally resettled Bosnian community’s current capacity to overcome a natural disaster and identify the strengths and limitations for future community capacity building to increase disaster resilience. Thirty-three Bosnian refugees were interviewed to identify its community’s capacity to respond to and recover from a natural disaster, including community social capital, institutional support, access to resources, economic development, and knowledge and coping. Data were analyzed thematically and theoretically. Four themes emerged: Bosnian community represents a home to its individuals, Bosnian community is a cohesive whole with empowered community outreach, Bosnian community is capable of responding to a natural disaster because of its individuals’ aggregated coping skills learned from the war, and environment change affects the Bosnian community’s capacity to respond to a natural disaster. The Bosnian community has a strong capacity for social networking, social cohesion, coping, and economic development needed in case of a natural disaster. Future endeavors should be focused on further strengthening the community’s current capacity, expanding community links to social capital, and developing volunteer capacity.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What are the best strategies for emergency preparedness and emergency information dissemination among resettled refugees?

The evidence in this area is suggestive. Within these suggestive studies, there is broad consensus on four key points related to emergency preparedness and emergency information dissemination among resettled refugees: Pre-existing partnerships among refugee communities, community-based organizations (CBOs), and local emergency planners are vital. People who serve as social bridges between refugee communities and governmental…

About this study

AGE: Adults

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: No evidence about impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

HOST COUNTRY: United States

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: N/A

INTERVENTION: None Tested

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Europe – East

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: No evidence about impact

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

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