This list features information about international and national organizations working directly or indirectly with issues related to disaster and emergency preparedness and response. This list is provided as a starting point and is not comprehensive or exhaustive. Information about other relevant organizations as well as additional resources and materials can be found through the websites listed below.
Gender and Disaster Network (GDN)
The Gender and Disaster Network is an educational project initiated by women and men interested in gender relations in disaster contexts. GDN aims to utilize the Internet and other forms of new media in support of a global network of researchers and practitioners with the broad goals of: 1) documenting and analyzing women's and men's experiences before, during, and after disaster, situating gender relations in broad political, economic, historical, and cultural context; 2) working across disciplinary and organizational boundaries in support of collaborative research and applied projects; 3) fostering information sharing and resource building among network members; 4) building and sustaining an active international community of scholars and activists.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
“CDC′s Mission is to collaborate to create the expertise, information, and tools that people and communities need to protect their health – through health promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability, and preparedness for new health threats.”
Under its “Emergency Preparedness and Response” section, the CDC website provides information and resources intended to increase the nation's ability to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies: http://emergency.cdc.gov.
American Public Health Association (APHA)
“The American Public Health Association is the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world and has been working to improve public health since 1872. The Association aims to protect all Americans, their families and their communities from preventable, serious health threats and strives to assure community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities and preventive health services are universally accessible in the United States.”
One of APHA’s programs is the Get Ready Campaign, which helps Americans prepare themselves, their families and their communities for all disasters and hazards, including pandemic flu, infectious disease, natural disasters and other emergencies: http://www.getreadyforflu.org
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
“The National Institute of Mental Health conducts and supports research not only on a wide range of mental health disorders, but also on reactions to national crises and traumatic events. This research includes the reactions of people following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack; the Oklahoma City bombing; wars and violence in the Middle East; and disasters such as earthquakes, tornados, fires, floods, and hurricanes, including the current Gulf Coast oil spill.” The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. They provide information about mental health via a toll-free telephone number (800-789-2647), the web site, and more than 600 publications.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
“FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.” Since 2003, FEMA has become part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
American Red Cross
“Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.”
Disaster Assistance Improvement Program’s (DAIP)
“The Disaster Assistance Improvement Program’s (DAIP) mission is to provide disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners.” The site can help survivors learn how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
National Resource Center on Advancing Emergency Preparedness for Culturally Diverse Communities (“Diversity Preparedness”)
This is a “web-based library of resources and information on disaster preparedness for culturally diverse communities and other at-risk populations. The planning tools, fact sheets, trainings, and other materials available through this site have been developed by academic centers, government agencies, and non-profit organizations from across the United States. They are geared for public health, healthcare, emergency management, and social service providers who work with diverse and high-risk communities.”
USAID Center For International Disaster Information
USAID CIDI is an education organization that is focused on effective public donations in support of disaster relief. Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development in 1988, USAID CIDI works with the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), which leads and coordinates the U.S. government’s humanitarian assistance efforts overseas.