- Title
- Rethinking social networks in responding to COVID-19: The case of African migrants in Melbourne's Public Housing
- Creator
- Carrasco, Sandra; Dangol, Neeraj; Faleh, Majdi
- Relation
- International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction Vol. 98, Issue November 2023, no. 104073
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.104073
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2023
- Description
- The relationships and networks established within communities and stakeholders are acknowledged as enablers of disaster recovery. However, the government-imposed COVID-19 restrictions presented unique challenges to social capital, particularly for vulnerable groups like migrants and refugees who grappled with intensified stereotypes, exclusion, and discrimination. This research centres on the early COVID-19 response in Melbourne, Australia, during a hard lockdown affecting Inner Melbourne's public housing estates, which disproportionately impacted refugees from the Horn of Africa, one of the largest residents' groups. These selective and unequal restrictions exemplify structural issues amplifying risks in future emergencies and disasters. The study employs qualitative research methods, including interviews with community leaders and relevant stakeholders, to uncover key issues in engaging disadvantaged communities in disaster management and recovery. The findings emphasize the dual nature of social capital and networks as enablers and barriers for fostering community interactions. Through visualising bonding, bridging, and linking social networks, this study illustrates how various types of social networks often form simultaneously and may overlap. This study underscores the importance of cultivating resourceful communities, focusing on reducing vulnerabilities rather than solely on connecting people, especially when dealing with marginalized and vulnerable communities in emergency and disaster contexts.
- Subject
- social networks analysis; social capital; Sustainable Development Goals; marginalized communities; COVID-19 pandemic; Melbourne; Australia; SDG 1; SDG 10; SDG 11; SDG 17
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1496685
- Identifier
- uon:54202
- Identifier
- ISSN:2212-4209
- Rights
- x
- Language
- eng
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