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

Year Published:

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 their 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: the Bosnian community represents a home to its individuals, it is a cohesive whole with empowered community outreach, the 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

GENDER: All

HOST COUNTRY: United States

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High Income

INTERVENTION: Disaster and emergency preparedness services

OUTCOME AREA: Emergency Preparedness

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

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2016

More STUDIES