Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Julian K. Muhammad

Abstract

Disasters can strike any population, but research has shown that poor, disabled, medically underserved people and children are more adversely affected than the general population. This qualitative descriptive case study aimed to understand better nonprofit organizations' (NPO) impact on vulnerable populations during disasters. Data was collected through semistructured interviews with representatives of NPOs from a southeastern city in Pennsylvania whose clients are vulnerable populations. This qualitative case study was based on Weisbrod’s theory of government failure. The 4Cs of communicate, collaborate, coordinate, and cooperate were investigated through semistructured interviews and a review of secondary data. The research questions were designed to investigate the funding sources, the collaboration between NPOs and the governments, and the resources and services provided to vulnerable populations during and post disaster. The efforts of the NPOs, directly and indirectly, contribute to the immediate and long-term health of the community and should be considered an essential branch of the unified command structure during disasters. How local, state, and federal governments support NPOs during pre-, actual, and post disaster operations were also examined. The importance of understanding the function of NPOs is relevant to the discipline of emergency management, primarily since most studies focus on the local, county, and state entities. This study contributes to positive social change by providing research that will better inform local, state, and federal emergency management sectors of the meaningful impact of NPOs in serving vulnerable communities during disasters.

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