Bringing the Community to Plan for Disease Outbreaks and Other Emergencies: A Step-by-Step Guide for Community Leaders

Each year, dozens of communities around the world face natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and other emergencies. Today, more than 50 countries are facing outbreaks of bird flu (also known as avian influenza or H5N1).

Scientists think that a worldwide influenza outbreak will happen sometime in the next decade. Experts know what measures should be in place for many of types of emergencies. Governments around the world, working with the U.S. Agency for International Development, see the need for emergency plans. To save lives in times of crisis, governments, businesses, and community groups must have plans that are feasible and easy to follow.

This guide is to help local leaders and community organizers bring together the community to help plan for disease outbreaks and other emergencies. Communities Working Together Create Better Plans Other communities like yours have already started to plan for emergencies. They have:

• Held community meetings,
• Discussed their needs and ideas for solutions, and
• Have offered officials valuable information to improve emergency plans.

And communities that already have been hit by disaster work together in relief efforts, then continue to work to be better ready in the future. This guide uses the lessons from these communities and other often-used tools to create discussion among community members and effectively garner their insight.