The aim of this study was to map out the internationally resettled Bosnian community’s current capacity to overcome a natural disaster and identify the strengths and limitations for future community capacity building to increase disaster resilience. Thirty-three Bosnian refugees were interviewed to identify their community’s capacity to respond to and recover from a natural disaster, including community social capital, institutional support, access to resources, economic development, and knowledge and coping. Data were analyzed thematically and theoretically. Four themes emerged: the Bosnian community represents a home to its individuals, it is a cohesive whole with empowered community outreach, the community is capable of responding to a natural disaster because of its individuals’ aggregated coping skills learned from the war, and environment change affects the Bosnian community’s capacity to respond to a natural disaster. The Bosnian community has a strong capacity for social networking, social cohesion, coping, and economic development needed in case of a natural disaster. Future endeavors should be focused on further strengthening the community’s current capacity, expanding community links to social capital, and developing volunteer capacity.
Bringing refugees from crisis to flourishing: The role of resettlement agencies and the church in facilitating integration and stability
Refugee resettlement in recent months has become an issue of intense debate in the United States. An issue that was once viewed as a humanitarian one has now taken on political significance. It has become a commonly discussed subject in public circles and one that requires an opinion regarding its good or evil. Despite these…