Building community disaster resilience: How social workers in Trinidad and Tobago conceptualize and operationalize community disaster resilience
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64866/j.ijdscr.2025.10018Keywords:
disaster resilience, repeated flooding, social work, capital development framework, community resilience, Trinidad and TobagoAbstract
When addressing the impacts of disasters on human beings, it is crucial to consider that many postcolonial societies, like those in the Caribbean, face both natural hazards and deep-rooted social inequities. These intersecting challenges shape their vulnerability and require that disaster resilience approaches focus on addressing historical and systemic inequalities. However, government planners continue to struggle with determining who can best contribute to resilience building. While disaster resilience is mainly seen as a responsibility of local government, this study argues for the inclusion of social workers in strengthening community disaster resilience in Trinidad and Tobago. This study examines disaster resilience through the lens of social workers, drawing on (1) Mayunga’s capital development theory and (2) scholarship on the three “waves” of resilience. These waves include efforts for communities to “bounce back” by restoring prior functioning, “bounce forward” through adaptation and growth, and “critical community praxis,” which advances social and environmental justice. Findings indicate that disaster resilience strategies in Trinidad and Tobago primarily emphasize “bouncing back” and “bouncing forward,” rather than promoting transformative social and environmental change. The findings highlight that current approaches often fail to address systemic inequalities and structural barriers hindering long-term disaster resilience and advocate for a broader role for social workers in disaster management and environmental justice. As a profession, social work integrates the mission of strengthening community resilience while addressing historical and social inequities. The recommendations advocate for a more transformative approach to sustainable disaster resilience in the Caribbean, prioritizing equity, justice, and long-term community empowerment.
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