Existing disaster models (Logical model, Expand and contact model, Four phases model, Circular model, Lechat model, Gupta stair model, Manitoba model, Kimberly model, Crunch cause model, deduce and solve models, etc.) built by external scientific experts help estimate risk scenarios but fail to capture the complexity of risk and threshold events in communities threatened by disasters. They can save lives, yet their application on the ground is complicated. They are often full of jargon and technical measurements and leave communities more vulnerable to disasters. We argue that the main limitation of these models is the excessive focus on hazard assessment and risk management while missing the ‘community dimension’ of choice-making before, during, and post-disaster. 

In times of pandemics like that of COVID-19, the application of only scientific research methods is not viable and usable by the communities. Based on these observations and our past and current research projects (in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Canada), our research intends to co-build, co-produce, co-learn and test community science research tools that aid communities in choosing socially and culturally relevant best strategies in facing disasters that are recurrent and intense in their communities. 

Place-Based Knowledge, Social Learning, and Collective Action for Building Community Disaster Resilience:  

Citizen Science Research to Develop a CDRA Toolbox on unhoused and substance use disorder in British Columbia, Canada 

Introduction 

In British Columbia, Canada, the intersection of homelessness, substance use disorder (SUD), and disaster vulnerability presents a complex challenge. Vulnerable populations, particularly those facing homelessness and SUD, are disproportionately affected by natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and extreme weather. It is essential to harness place-based knowledge, social learning, and collective action to address these challenges to develop tailored interventions that foster disaster resilience within these communities.  

This approach forms the foundation of citizen science research that will inform the development of a Community Disaster Resilience Action (CDRA) toolbox focused on homelessness and SUD in BC.

Place-Based Knowledge 

Place-based knowledge refers to the unique insights, experiences, and understanding that individuals and communities develop through their lived experiences within specific geographic, cultural, and environmental contexts. In the case of disaster resilience for homeless individuals and those with SUD, place-based knowledge is invaluable. It captures the localized realities of living without stable housing, the barriers to accessing resources, and the specific challenges faced during disasters. 

For this research, gathering place-based knowledge from unhoused individuals, frontline workers, healthcare providers, and local community members will be crucial. It allows us to understand how different regions in BC experience disasters and how community members navigate these events. For example, insights from Indigenous communities who may rely on traditional ecological knowledge can provide innovative approaches to community resilience. By embedding this knowledge in the CDRA toolbox, strategies can be more precisely tailored to the social and environmental realities faced by unhoused populations in BC. 

Social Learning 

Social learning is learning through observation, interaction, and collaboration, particularly in a community or group setting. In the context of citizen science and disaster resilience, social learning is critical for disseminating knowledge and fostering adaptive behaviours that contribute to long-term resilience. 

In this research, social learning will occur through collaboration between various stakeholders, including unhoused individuals, substance use recovery groups, social service organizations, emergency responders, and community leaders. Through participatory activities such as workshops, support groups, and shared dialogues, individuals can exchange knowledge and experiences related to disaster preparedness, resource access, and SUD challenges. This process allows for co-creating innovative solutions that reflect the diverse needs of different communities. 

By incorporating social learning into the development of the CDRA toolbox, communities can better share best practices, learn from each other’s experiences, and build collective knowledge that strengthens resilience. For example, homeless shelters may adopt new disaster response protocols based on the successful approaches of other regions, while individuals in recovery programs can learn coping mechanisms from peer groups who have navigated disaster recovery and substance use challenges. 

Collective Action  

Collective action refers to the coordinated efforts of individuals and groups to work together toward a common goal, often addressing shared challenges or problems. In disaster resilience, collective action is vital for mobilizing resources, ensuring equitable access to services, and fostering community-level responses that protect vulnerable populations. 

For homeless individuals and those with SUD, collective action involves collaboration between local governments, healthcare providers, social services, community organizations, and the individuals themselves. By engaging unhoused individuals and those with lived experiences of SUD in decision-making and planning processes, communities can ensure that their voices are heard, and their unique needs are addressed in disaster preparedness and response plans. This participatory approach empowers those who are most affected by disasters to take an active role in building their own resilience. 

The CDRA toolbox will include tools and frameworks to facilitate collective action at the community level. These tools will help organizations and service providers coordinate their efforts to ensure that homeless populations are accounted for in disaster response plans. For instance, the toolbox may include guidelines for forming community resilience task forces, strategies for coordinating food and shelter distribution, and protocols for ensuring access to addiction treatment services during and after disasters. 

Citizen Science Research for CDRA Toolbox Development 

Integrating place-based knowledge, social learning, and collective action into a citizen science research framework offers a powerful approach to developing the CDRA toolbox. Citizen science encourages active participation from community members and vulnerable populations, allowing them to contribute directly to the research process. In this case, unhoused individuals, SUD recovery advocates, and community organizations will work alongside researchers to identify challenges, co-develop solutions, and test the effectiveness of resilience-building strategies. 

This research will be grounded in community engagement and participatory methodologies, such as: 

• Workshops and Community Dialogues: Facilitating spaces for community members to share place-based knowledge about disaster risks, challenges faced during crises, and culturally relevant approaches to resilience. (Support Groups) 
• Participatory Mapping: Collaboratively mapping areas most vulnerable to disasters, as well as identifying locations of critical services, shelters, and support networks that can be activated during emergencies. (Resources)
• Data Collection by Community Members: Engaging individuals with lived experience of homelessness and SUD to collect data on their experiences, challenges, and needs during disasters. This data will inform the development of specific tools in the CDRA toolbox.
• Collaborative Testing of Resilience Strategies: Piloting disaster preparedness and recovery strategies within communities, with feedback loops allowing for continuous improvement based on real-world outcomes.

Components of the CDRA Toolbox 

The Community Disaster Resilience Action (CDRA) toolbox will be a dynamic resource tailored to the needs of BC communities working to address homelessness and SUD. The toolbox will be designed for use by community organizations, healthcare providers, local governments, and citizens, and it will include the following components: 

1. Disaster Preparedness Guides for Homeless Populations: Step-by-step guides to help service providers and community members plan for disasters, with specific focus on the needs of homeless individuals with SUD.
2. Resource Mapping Tools: Interactive tools to map community resources, such as shelters, addiction services, food distribution centers, and healthcare facilities, which can be accessed during and after disasters.
3. Culturally Safe and Inclusive Strategies: Approaches that integrate cultural sensitivity, particularly for Indigenous populations and other marginalized groups, ensuring that disaster response efforts respect and reflect diverse cultural values.
4. Collective Action Frameworks: Templates and tools for coordinating collective action among community members, service providers, and government agencies, ensuring a unified response to disasters that centers on vulnerable populations.
5. Social Learning Modules: Educational materials and training programs that encourage community members to learn from each other’s experiences, promoting adaptive behaviors and resilience-building practices.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation Tools: Methods for tracking the effectiveness of disaster resilience strategies, collecting data on outcomes, and making continuous improvements to community preparedness.

Conclusion 

Building disaster resilience for homeless individuals and those with substance use disorders in British Columbia requires a holistic approach that leverages place-based knowledge, social learning, and collective action. By engaging vulnerable populations through citizen science research, this approach will co-create practical, community-driven solutions for mitigating the impacts of disasters. The resulting CDRA toolbox will serve as a critical resource for building more inclusive, equitable, and resilient communities in the face of increasing disaster risks.