Community-Based Approaches to Respond to Epidemics and Natural Disasters in Coastal Ecuador

Effective disaster response starts well before the disaster strikes. International aid, research, and recovery work must involve collaborations in which partners are working together at every stage to co-develop and co-create research that can help inform decision-making and establish sustainable programming and prevention initiatives. These partnerships require consistent engagement with community leaders, collaboration across levels of government, and comprehensive team training. Established channels for fundraising are essential for an organization to succeed in the face of chaotic disaster conditions. In this case study, we share our experience with Walking Palms Global Health (WPGH), a non-profit organization serving the communities of Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador. Through WPGH, we continue to navigate disaster relief and recovery and foment well-being in our community. Our team has worked in the field during two emerging disease outbreaks, extreme weather events, and natural disasters, leading emergency relief efforts, and collaborating with local stakeholders and international institutions to implement holistic, long-term public health research and programming alongside partner communities.