Our frontline community are experts

As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, frontline communities will need to grow stronger to cope with the shocks of floods. ‘Outsider experts’ like scientists and governments are a common concern for frontline communities. Especially if they don’t partner, listen or collaborate in meaningful ways. Communities are experts too. We know how disasters affect our people, what we value, and what decisions need to be made.

Astrid Caldas et al (2023) “Building Community Resilience: Lessons from Frontline Leaders” Union of Concerned Scientists 

Image: Hoogley Street, West End, 2022. Supplied by: Jan Bowman.