Community Action Plan Proposed to Strengthen America’s Approach to Emergency Response

Allstate and The Allstate Foundation lead efforts to create a better way for our nation to manage catastrophes before they strike. As part of Allstate’s commitment to vigilant disaster response, The Allstate Foundation collaborated with the RAND Gulf States Policy Institute, in partnership with the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO) to explore the recovery process and the critical role of non-government organizations (NGOs) in disaster preparedness and response. The result of the conference is a five-part plan directing local and national policymakers to integrate NGOs into emergency response and recovery policies. The research group recommends immediate action to: define and formalize NGO roles and responsibilities create guidance on allocation of resources and ensure priority to local nonprofits who are pre-screened and approved to respond to disasters increase community capacity to deliver seamless services through NGO partnerships improve information exchange among organizations, government agencies and community residents pursue a research agenda that focuses on evidence-based implementation "Allstate and The Allstate Foundation are leaders in catastrophe response, and we are constantly looking for ways to better serve local communities when they need us most – that’s what the Good Hands promise is all about," said Vicky Dinges, vice president public social responsibility, Allstate. "Not only do NGOs have a responsibility to help better prepare and protect Americans, they also have the resources and local knowledge to propel recovery from the front lines should a disaster strike." Research from the project shows that NGO participation helps local authorities overcome common catastrophe response challenges and move from recovery to revitalization. While there are few plans that define their role, NGOs are uniquely positioned to deliver the manpower, information, direct services and financial support needed to build community resilience and weather a manmade or natural disaster. rnTo read the rest of this release, please visit: Allstate Newsroom This release was originally posted to the Allstate Newsroom on April 1st, 2011 Meri A is an advocate for the Allstate Newsroom