Long-term disaster recovery begins months or years after a major disaster is declared and ramps up as response, relief, and short-term funding and activities taper off. Preparing for long-term disaster recovery has become increasingly important, especially as climate change accelerates the frequency and severity of catastrophic natural disasters. Recognizing this, the City has developed its first ever Long-Term Disaster Recovery (LTDR) Plan, as envisioned in Action 19 in the City’s Ola: Oʻahu Resilience Strategy.
The LTDR Plan provides a roadmap for long-term disaster recovery before a disaster strikes, and integrates long-term recovery with the socioeconomic, cultural, and governmental structures unique to Oʻahu. The framework presented identifies a governance structure, roles and responsibilities, and potential partnerships to leverage and organize disaster recovery resources. It is flexible and scalable to each unique disaster event and the specific needs of impacted households and communities. The Plan also includes engagement strategies and approaches for an inclusive, community-informed, and transparent recovery process. This will enable the City, other agencies, organizations, and community members to reach an efficient, culturally appropriate, and collaborative recovery to ensure the whole community’s needs are met and no one is left behind.
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