In October 2022, the Maribyrnong River in Melbourne’s west experienced a devastating flood, affecting over 500 properties and leaving a lasting impact on the community. Among those most affected were women and children from migrant and refugee backgrounds, whose unique challenges during disaster recovery are often underrepresented.
GenWest’s Initiatives and the “Our Community, Our Voice” Report
GenWest recognised the need to amplify these voices. GenWest is a feminist organisation dedicated to gender equity in Melbourne’s west. Through their flood recovery program, they engaged with flood affected women, providing a platform for them to share their stories and offered access to vital support services. This initiative led to the “Our Community, Our Voice: Lessons from the 2022 Maribyrnong Flood” report, which sheds light on the specific challenges faced by these communities.
The report highlights several key issues:
- Communication: Limited English proficiency among many affected individuals hindered their access to timely information and support services during the disaster.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Standard disaster response mechanisms often lacked cultural considerations, making it challenging for migrant and refugee communities to engage fully with available support.
- Gendered Impacts: Women, particularly those from migrant and refugee backgrounds, faced compounded challenges, balancing recovery efforts with caregiving responsibilities and navigating systems that may not account for their unique needs.
Community Engagement and Advocacy
In response to these findings, GenWest has implemented several initiatives:
- Community Engagement: Organising events and workshops to foster connections among affected individuals, allowing them to share their stories and resilience strategies, some of which were led by community members who were employed.
- Mental Health Support: Providing culturally appropriate mental health and wellbeing resources and workshops to address the trauma experienced by these communities.
- Advocacy: Collaborating with local councils and organisations to ensure future disaster responses are inclusive, culturally sensitive and address the specific needs of minority groups.
DisasterWISE Hosts GenWest at March Get-Together
Further emphasising the importance of community engagement, Shweta Kawatra Dakin, Manager of Resilient Communities at GenWest, attended the recent March DisasterWISE Get-Together to join in the community-led dialogue. Shweta emphasised the importance of deep listening, with a focus on story telling. She shared more about GenWests’ approach, talking further about the role of stories and deep listening through the gender and cultural lens in disaster recovery.
DisasterWISE is a community-led learning network that connects communities and organisations to learn from each other and drive change. Shweta’s involvement highlights her commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by minority groups during disaster recovery and highlights the collaborative efforts needed to strengthen resilient communities.
The “Our Community, Our Voice” report includes recommendations for inclusive disaster planning and recovery efforts. By understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by minority groups, communities can strengthen resilience and plan for more meaningful supports during times of crisis. The participation of leaders like Shweta in networks such as DisasterWISE further strengthens these efforts, furthering collaboration and shared learning among communities.
Want to dig a bit deeper;
Some resources from the DisasterWISE Resource Library;
Best Practice Guide for Migrant and Refugee Inclusive Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery
https://disasterwise-communities-network.mn.co/posts/resources-best-practice-guide-for-migrant-and-refugee-inclusive-disaster-preparedness-response-and-recovery
GenWest Our Community, Our Voice
Co-Learning Disaster Resilience Toolkit
