Community Engagement Framework in Management of Pandemic – Role of Social Work

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explore the role of Social Work in
Community based Disaster Risk Reduction. A framework for engaging the
community in the management of pandemic has been developed, especially in
terms of volunteerism – and action, during different stages of disaster management
such as floods and cyclones. In the present article, global catastrophe COVID
19 has been taken as case study and the role of various stakeholders has been
studied. The present article highlights community involvement in managing
pandemic risks along with necessary stakeholder support.The article also explains
a practical management strategy to leverage the strength of local wisdom, social
leadership,collective action and role of social work (casework, group work,
community organization and social action) in managing pandemic situations.

Design: The study will emphasize the role of social workers in Disaster Risk
Management process.The research is exploratory in nature trying to analysis the
Community based Disaster Risk Management and social work, so an exploratory
design has been considered for this article. Data from both secondary and
primary sources have been analyzed. The secondary data were collected from
the government agencies. Content analysis of various news clippings, journals,
articles available in National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), UNDP,
Universities and other relevant institutions were done.

Findings: Social workers play an important role in empowering the community
to contribute to community action which is of prime importance in managing
any pandemic. Disaster resilience is the ability of the community to anticipate
disasters and react quickly and effectively when they strike. The process of building
resilience can be made through community participation, awareness generation
(health and sanitation), Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and development of
local capacities by education and training programmes. Various processes of
Social Work may be adopted for building Community capacities to respond to
any disasters.