Supporting the Under-Served in a Disaster - with Chauncia Willis

In this episode, host Dr. I. David Daniels speaks with Chauncia Willis, the co-founder and CEO of the Institute for Diversity in Emergency Management. Ms. Willis is a seasoned emergency management professional with experience in city, county, and state emergency management agencies and private sector consulting. The physical and psychological impact of disasters don’t necessarily end as the physical hazards subside, and in many cases, the effects are more severe in some communities than in others. Research suggests that cultural minority populations, specifically African Americans and Latinos, have a higher risk of disaster exposure and are disproportionally affected by them. The higher risk among communities of color may result from the lack of basic resources, including food, shelter, and income, but also lower levels of disaster education and preparedness, lower risk perception, lower likelihood of evacuation, lower socioeconomic status, and a higher likelihood of residence in poorly constructed homes. I-DIEM leverages diversity, inclusion, and equitable practices to build community resilience and improve disaster outcomes, especially for disadvantaged individuals and communities. Our holistic approach recognizes the value of the diverse attributes of each individual and community while understanding that historical and existing inequity create barriers that limit the ability to prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from disasters.