Hurricanes are raging in the southeastern U.S., and stories are emerging of people with a non-English language preference (NELP) being left out of critical communications leading up to, during, and in the aftermath of these events.
To avoid such exclusions, those in charge of response and recovery efforts must ensure language access is a key component of their disaster preparedness plan.
Incorporating interpreters and translated materials into the response strategy delivers life-saving information— whether it’s for news conferences, 911 and 311 lines, shelter-in-place instructions, emergency alerts, or evacuation orders.
The following tips and resources will help you start to build an inclusive disaster plan that ensures no one is left behind.
Start Collecting Language Data
First, you’ll need to determine which languages are spoken in your community. Examine U.S. census data, then chart your results. There is a template you can use on page three in the LEP Communication Planning Framework by the Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division. This resource can also help you keep track of which messages you send out.
Incorporate non-English languages into emergency alerting systems
If you have an existing alert system, language professionals should be involved in developing culturally and linguistically appropriate communications. The document, In the Matter of Multilingual Emergency Alerting by the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, details fantastic advice for the construction and improvement of emergency alert systems, complete with real world examples. Don’t forget about consulting those in your communities who are deaf or hard of hearing in the creation and implementation of your systems.
Keep the Facts Straight
FEMA produced a Hurricane Rumor Response page in 15 languages specifically for Hurricane Helene. Look for resources like this and share them to the channels the communities you are targeting regularly use and trust to help prevent the spread of misinformation. These can include social media sites, messaging apps like WhatsApp, and cultural and community centers. You can also create your own rumor response pages, which can be translated into the languages you’ve identified as spoken in your community.
Additional Resources to Guide Your Efforts
The above tips are just a starting point, and a true multilingual approach to your disaster plan will take some time and additional resources, like the ones below.
FEMA Guidance on Non-Discriminatory Disaster Response
FEMA emphasizes the importance of ensuring disaster response and recovery efforts are inclusive and non-discriminatory, in line with federal regulations like Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Stafford Act. The agency outlines best practices to help ensure disaster response and recovery efforts are accessible to all communities. The guidance covers how to provide translated materials, offer interpretation services, ensure emergency information reaches diverse populations, and maintain accessible communication platforms.
Tips and Tools for Reaching NELP Communities in Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
This document provides essential strategies for integrating language access into emergency management practices. It outlines key areas including policy establishment, preparedness, response, and recovery, offering practical tips and tools for effectively engaging individuals. It also includes insights on how to ensure that NELP communities are informed, supported, and included throughout the entire emergency management process.
Ensuring Language Access and Effective Communication During Response and Recovery: A Checklist for Emergency Responders
This checklist provides emergency responders with guidance on ensuring effective communication and language access during response and recovery efforts. It highlights legal requirements to support individuals with NELP, offering actionable steps for identifying community needs, coordinating with local partners, and providing language services and auxiliary aids. It also includes best practices for working with interpreters to ensure clear, accessible communication during emergencies.
In the Chaos of a Natural Disaster, Clear Communication Saves Lives
Making language access a priority in disaster preparedness isn’t just about compliance — it’s about truly protecting every member of the community. With the right tools and strategies, you can ensure that critical information reaches everyone and that everyone remains safe when it matters most.
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