Immigrants and Responses to Emergencies: Perspectives on 2011 Flood in Manitoba

1. Immigrants and Responses to Emergencies: Perspectives on 2011 Flood in Manitoba Immaculate Nabisere (MRD) Research Assistant Rural Development Institute Brandon University Brandon, Manitoba

2. Introduction • Influx of immigrants to rural areas • Need for formal and informal partnerships in communities • (Especially that related to Disaster Risk Management) • Case study in Brandon on immigrants and Vulnerability • Source: Vander Ploeg, 2000; Kates, 1971; Manyena, 2003; and Paton and Johnston, 2006

3. Outline • Definitions of Terms Used • Objectives • Method • Findings: • Immigrant Vulnerability • Partnerships – Immigrant Service Providers • Strategies

4. Definitions of Terms Used

5. Objectives 1. To investigate the vulnerability of immigrants in rural communities.2. To examine the challenges faced by rural communities in the inclusion of migrant considerations into the disaster risk management planning.3. Examine the relationships/ partnerships that exist among immigrant service providers4. To explore and identify strategies for the integration and inclusion of migrant consideration in DRM planning in rural communities.

6. Case Study in Brandon 56 interviews with immigrants 77% < 5 yrs. 23% > 5 yrs 7 key informant interviews with service providers 1 interview with DRM Coordinator Limitations Social sensitivity and fear of reprimand Limited literature Method

7. Findings – Immigrants Vulnerability • Access to hazard information • Hazard Awareness & Experience • Hazard Preparedness • Knowledge of early warning system • Language Proficiency ** n=56 – all questions were answered.

8. Hazard Awareness & Experience Positive • 59% are aware of hazards in Brandon • 93% have not experienced hazards in Brandon • 93% are aware of floods in Brandon • 70% no experience in country of origin Negative • 41% unaware of the hazards in Brandon • 7% has experienced hazards in Brandon • 18% affected by the 2011 flood • 30% experienced floods in country of origin Implication • Need to increase awareness • Flood experience in both Brandon and country of origin

9. Access to hazard information Positive: • 84% of respondents had access to flood information Negative • 16% no access to flood information Implication • Information conveyed in English • Communication gap

10. Language Proficiency Positive • Some level of competency • Language services Negative • Majority not fluent Implication • Their ability to access and disseminate disaster risk related information is limited

11. Hazard Preparedness Positive • Preparedness measures by homeowners Negative • No preparedness measures in place by tenants Implication • Need to educate the people about preparedness measures

12. Knowledge of the Early Warning System Positive • 2 knew what the early warning system (Siren) Negative • 8 mistook the siren system for police or ambulances • 46 never heard them Implication • Need to create awareness of what the siren system • Differences in early warning systems – Traditional vs. Scientific

14. Partnerships & Integration – Immigrant Service Providers

15. Partnerships

16. Strategies

17. CommentsQuestionsDiscussions Thank You!