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.