Pandemic Preparedness

Vulnerable Populations

Vulnerable Populations are part of all congregations. It is therefore important to have information about how to address specific people within congregations and the broader community who are going to be more severely impacted by a pandemic.

These may be congregants...

who are unable to afford stockpiles of food and water,
who rely on medication or medical equipment such as oxygen, or outside medical sources like Home Health/Hospice, Meals on Wheels etc.
who speak another language like Spanish or other indigenous language, making emergency information difficult to read or understand.
who are children with sick parents and are coping on their own and/or Latchkey children who have very little support.
are tourists who do not know the local resources.

All of these factors may leave many congregants vulnerable in the event of a disaster such as a pandemic flu outbreak.

A church may want to identify these vulnerable groups before a disaster and add to their list during a disaster. The list should include:

Contact information that will assist the church and other community leaders and identification of special needs.

This is a key step in assuring the vulnerable are not left behind, ignored or forgotten during a pandemic or any other disaster scenario.

It is important to also remember that “vulnerable” encompass the entire scope of age from children to the elderly and also includes the caregivers who need support during and after a disaster. As a pastor, social, health or community caregiver you may become vulnerable due to the extent of stress and demands of a pandemic disaster. Have a plan for the staff and caregivers within the congregation to be monitored and protected from vulnerability.

Following are links that are helpful in accessing resources to address the needs of vulnerable populations. National, provincial, state and municipal governments have included specific sections in their pandemic plans to address these group.

Government plans

Canada
http://www.influenza.gc.ca
The Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan for the Health Sector maps out how the health sector can prepare for and respond to pandemic influenza in Canada. It does so by outlining the actions that should be taken during each pandemic phase and clarifying the roles and responsibilities. As a practical working tool, it also provides guidelines and checklists to assist in emergency planning.

United States
http://www.pandemicflu.gov
This webpage is a one stop for US Pandemic Preparedness and contains both the national pandemic plan as well as a searchable database of state plans. Three States with good information that is user friendly:
• State of Massachusetts
• State of South Carolina
• State of Tennessee

Vulnerable Populations during a Pandemic

FluTracker
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9640
FluTracker is dedicated to the public health of the world’s citizens by advancing policies, protocols, innovations, and practices that improve the health of vulnerable populations. We will enhance the health of communities by informing, educating, developing and maintaining integrated programs. We recognize and stress the importance of the relationship between human rights and health status.

Inner City Fund International
http://www.icfi.com/markets/homeland-security/pandemic-preparedness.asp
ICF International is engaged in developing pandemic flu preparedness plans by addressing the needed coordination among all levels of government and the private sector, and testing or exercising the plans in numerous communities/regions. This assistance results in more efficient use of budgets for pandemic planning and ultimately boosts a community's level of preparedness.

Self Care
http://www.caregiver.on.ca/cgcc.html
A website designed for caregivers -- where you can find information to help you make decisions or find help when you need it, and be reminded to take care of yourself.