Caring for Special Needs During Disasters: What’s Being Done for Vulnerable Populations?

On the importance of defining special needs and the role of non-profits and faith based organizations in disaster preparedness and response:

In a statement by Diana Rothe-Smith the Executive Director of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster:

Terms like “special need” and “vulnerable populations” allow us to all too easily group very differing citizens into one homogeneous population and provide instructions that are not appropriately communicated or that are impossible to follow. These are issues that must be addressed with key community representatives and then put into practice by emergency management professionals. While planning needs to include a true representation of the community--- response, immediate assistance, and long term recovery all require a true integration of voluntary organizations, like those that are members of National VOAD, in order to meet all of the unmet needs of the community.