Assessing Disaster Preparedness among Latino Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers in Eastern North Carolina

Abstract

Natural disasters including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and fires often involve substantial physical and mental impacts on affected populations and thus are public health priorities. Limited research shows that vulnerable populations such as the low-income, socially isolated migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFW) are particularly susceptible to the effects of natural disasters. This research project assessed the awareness, perceived risk, and practices regarding disaster preparedness and response resources and identified barriers to utilization of community and government services during or after a natural disaster among Latino MSFWs’ and their families. Qualitative (N = 21) focus groups (3) and quantitative (N = 57) survey methodology was implemented with Latino MSFWs temporarily residing in rural eastern North Carolina to assess perceived and actual risk for natural disasters. Hurricanes were a top concern among the sample population, many participants shared they lacked proper resources for an emergency (no emergency kit in the house, no evacuation plan, no home internet, a lack of knowledge of what should be included in an emergency kit, etc.). Transportation and language were found to be additional barriers. Emergency broadcasts in Spanish and text message alerts were identified by the population to be helpful for disaster alerts. FEMA, American Red Cross, local schools and the migrant clinic were trusted places for assistance and information. In summary, tailored materials, emergency alerts, text messages, and news coverage concerning disaster threats should be provided in the population’s native language and when feasible delivered in a culturally appropriate mechanism such as “charlas” (talks) and brochures.

Risk Perception and Disaster Preparedness in Immigrants and Canadian‐Born Adults: Analysis of a National Survey on Similarities and Differences

“…Our results challenge the literature suggesting that immigrants’ risk perception and disaster preparedness for natural disasters are different from their native‐born counterparts . Bourhis and colleagues posit that immigration and integration policies define the “social psychological reality” of how immigrants experience their lives in the receiving society.…”

Hispanic Immigrants' Vulnerabilities to Flood and Hurricane Hazards in Two United States Metropolitan Areas

“…Familial modes of communication may target specific family members as entry points: for example, children who could be provided information at school. Improved disaster preparedness among foreign‐born Hispanics may also be achieved through deepened community engagement, more culturally competent approaches, participatory methods, as well as partnerships among universities, public health agencies, and community‐based organizations (Burke and others ). These community‐based approaches to disaster‐risk reduction may prove more effective for Hispanic immigrants and other socially vulnerable groups.…”

“…In a study of Florida single‐family homeowners, Walter Peacock found that Hispanic and black homeowners had lower levels of hurricane‐shutter usage than respondents from other racial/ethnic backgrounds, adjusting for income and other variables (2003). Racial/ethnic minorities may be less likely than non‐Hispanic whites to plan for emergencies or to feel prepared for emergencies (Burke and others ). For example, Sloane Burke and others found that Latino migrant farmworkers in North Carolina were highly underprepared for disaster (2012).…”

Adaptation as biopolitics: Why state policies in Turkey do not reduce the vulnerability of seasonal agricultural workers to climate change

“…While securing profitability for the agricultural sector, seasonal workers themselves are often caught in a cycle of poverty. Several studies have documented the transience and invisibility of underinsured or uninsured agricultural workers in a profession surrounded by occupational and environmental hazards (Burke et al, 2012;Winkelman et al, 2013). However, links to climatic hazards have not been explored.…”