SayPro, in collaboration with the United States Peace Corps, is helping communities prepare for and recover from disasters through the establishment of local disaster recovery networks. SayPro believes that empowering communities with the skills and structures needed to respond to crises is essential for long-term resilience. These networks include first responders, healthcare workers, educators, local leaders, and volunteers trained in emergency protocols. SayPro, with Peace Corps support, offers capacity-building workshops on disaster planning, communication systems, and early warning alerts. These efforts ensure that when disaster strikes—be it floods, fires, or pandemics—communities are not left helpless, but are equipped and organized to act quickly.
SayPro promotes a participatory approach by involving residents in identifying local risks and vulnerabilities. In collaboration with Peace Corps volunteers, SayPro leads community risk mapping and disaster simulation exercises. These activities foster awareness and ensure that all community members—from elders to youth—know their roles in an emergency. SayPro also helps communities create emergency supply kits, evacuation plans, and temporary shelter blueprints. With training and rehearsal, SayPro transforms fear into readiness. These grassroots networks also provide a trusted channel for post-disaster communication and coordination, ensuring resources are directed where they are needed most.
After an emergency, SayPro ensures that recovery efforts focus on rebuilding not just infrastructure but also community well-being. Peace Corps volunteers help SayPro assess damage, distribute aid, and support trauma recovery initiatives. SayPro also works with local businesses and government departments to develop recovery plans that include housing repairs, food distribution, and restoration of essential services. SayPro emphasizes rebuilding in ways that are more inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient. Through its recovery networks, SayPro ensures that marginalized populations—such as the elderly, disabled, and economically vulnerable—are not left behind in relief efforts.
To institutionalize these disaster recovery efforts, SayPro supports communities in forming permanent disaster preparedness councils. These councils, guided by SayPro and Peace Corps, continue to update plans, conduct drills, and advocate for disaster risk reduction policies. SayPro also provides toolkits and technical assistance to other regions interested in replicating the model. The organization’s holistic approach ensures that recovery is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of learning, adaptation, and preparedness. Through its partnership with the Peace Corps, SayPro is building a culture of resilience—one where communities can withstand adversity and rebuild stronger than before.