Campbell (2012) describes special needs population as “anyone who has an access need or problem to anyone who needs support, whether it be medical or otherwise, during the time of emergency.” Further expanded the vulnerable groups may include individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, children, elderly persons, prisoners, individual members of ethnic minorities, people with language barriers, and the impoverished (Hoffman, 2008, p.1499).
Description of Two Special Populations
The two special needs population selected for this discussion are:
(1) the elderly who are physically challenged and helpless. Within this population, there will be a great percentage of persons who are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases which, include arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory ailments. They may also suffer from mobility, cognitive, sensory, social, and economic limitations that can impede their adaptability and ability to function in disasters.
(2) Children constitute approximately a significant percentage of the population, and their needs in disasters are often overlooked and misunderstood.s The provisions for their well-being, be it emergency equipment, medical supplies or personal care are areas not adequately addressed in disaster planning.
Explanation Why They Are Vulnerable During Disasters
Lack of adequate preparation can lead to catastrophic consequences for elderly persons with disabilities. According to Hoffman ( 2008) “the disadvantaged could suffer massive death tolls, as illustrated by Hurricane Katrina, in which over 1,800 people died because they were unable to evacuate the city” (p. 1495). Without the appropriate preparation for disasters, vulnerable people may not be able to leave as instructed, reach points of distribution for medical countermeasures, and follow instruction either written or verbal cs during an emergency, or find suitable housing if necessary during a disaster.
Communication can be a major issue for communities which may comprise of people with a variety of disabilities as such communicating messages before during and after the emergency can pose a problem. Therefore, based on the particular disability the messages will have to be tailored to suit their specific needs. Evacuation of the elderly especially those requiring special care will be a challenge as they will require transportation that can cater to their specific disability or need, they will also require personalized care by professionally trained personnel.
Evacuation poses additional risks and further displacement as in addition to having to provide transportation that is configured to suit any specialized equipment, the shelters, and care facilities must be able to accommodate both the equipment that will be required and any additional personal caregivers. Additionally, the evacuation routes do not always provide the different navigation abilities of the special needs population the preferred routes require the use of stairs and the vehicles used to transport people with disabilities are not equipped to allow for the carriage specialized equipment.
Children are considered part of the “vulnerable population” (National Commission on Children and Disasters,2009, p.3) because they are susceptibility to injury and are dependent on others for livelihood, decision making, and emotional support. They are more likely to become dehydrated, suffer from malnutrition, and exhaustion more quickly than adults, and are more susceptible to infectious diseases and severe forms of illnesses. In an emergency caring for children involves psychological and social challenges because of their emotional state, and dependence on the support of family members. As such they require special attention and procedures during disasters.
Strategies Help Reduce Vulnerabilities for Each Population
The elderly population may need particular attention and support because of their frailties. Additionally, those with physical disabilities and helpless will require trained caregivers and professional medical care. Therefore, to help reduce vulnerabilities the following must be included and identified in the disaster plan:
(1)Transportation, in the event individuals, is required to evacuate provisions must be made to have transportation that can accommodate specialized medical equipment and trained personnel.
(2) A list of shelters that can facilitate their unique needs, and accommodate their caregivers, personal medical equipment, and medical supplies.
Disaster planning must incorporate specific strategies for children as many of them may be immobile and unable to communicate information to responders (Interim Report, 2009). Therefore, disaster plans must include the following:
(1) Medical facilities and specialized care providers who can attend to the needs of the children especially those will disabilities both physical and mental and facilities to provide temporary housing and protection of the children.
(2) Specific shelters identified that caters to the needs of children which includes access to essential services and supplies.
Emergency management personnel and planners should be aware that the treatment expected under the standard of care for vulnerable populations will be different from what Sis appropriate for others as such plans must be flexible and all-encompassing ensuring the most vulnerable population is not disadvantaged during a disaster.
References
Hoffman, S. (2008). Preparing for disaster: Protecting the most vulnerable in emergencies. UC Davis L. Rev., 42, 1491.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012h). Special populations [Video]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
National Commission on Children and Disasters. (2009). National commission on children and disasters, Interim Report, October 14, 2009. Retrieved from http://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/nccd/20110426214349/http://www.childrenanddisasters. acf.hhs.gov/20091014_508IR_partII.pdf
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