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Disaster Risk and Emergency Response

Emergencies and Disasters

While the occurrence of extreme events and disasters generally cannot be prevented, their negative effects can be lessened by reducing risks and improving the capacity of people and communities to deal with them.

Improving community resilience helps reduce the effects of disasters and natural hazards and is increasingly becoming a goal of communities, organisations and governments.

Regional and remote Aboriginal Communities are particularly exposed to the impacts of disaster, partly due to relative geographical isolation and limited access to support facilities.

Support for ACCHOs

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response Planning project aims to strengthen the capability of the South Australian ACCHO sector, by supporting and guiding the development of ACCHO local health service disaster and emergency response plans. This is linked to health and wellbeing of communities with a focus on the impacts on ACCHO service delivery, business preparedness and continuity during times of disaster, extreme climate events and emergencies.

The project provides the opportunity for AHCSA and the ACCHO services to implement initiatives related to disaster preparedness and response, including pandemic responses, specifically targeted for Aboriginal Community Controlled health services and the communities they serve.

Developing partnerships for resilience

Disaster resilience concepts incorporated into policy and programs is a continuous process that requires community engagement at the centre of the design. This project will provide the foundational elements to build capability of workforce and organisations in the sector to strengthen and support communities in increasing disaster resilience.

By fostering collaboration and multi-sectorial partnerships, the project aims to enhance the coordination of disaster management efforts and strengthen ACCHO service and community resilience.

The goal is to empower ACCHOs to lead decision-making processes and develop localised service disaster and resilience plans that consider their unique needs and cultural values.

 

Useful links

SAFECOM

Australian Red Cross

SACOSS

Fire to Flourish

Phoenix Australia Disaster Mental Health Hub

Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience

National Health and Climate Strategy

National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework

Resources

RACGP Emergency management plan

Emergency Response Planning Tool

Healthy in the Heat