Disaster Resilience Learning Network (DRLN)

The massive wildfires that hit Oregon in September 2020 had a tremendous impact on the health and well-being of communities across the state. In the immediate aftermath of this disaster, community-based organizations serving communities of color identified profound gaps in communications, evacuation, shelter, and other systems intended to alert and protect the state’s residents from disasters. The Disaster Resilience Learning Network (DRLN) was created to bring together culturally specific and/or people of color serving community-based organizations (CBOs) and leaders who serve communities of color disproportionately impacted by disasters.

Upon review of the Disaster Resilience Learning Collaborative (DRLC) in 2021 evaluation and findings, CBOs advocated for the collaborative to move into a network able to better foster relationship-building and resilience collaborations across Oregon. In Fall 2022, a committee of Network members created the Network's goals and objectives and finalized its mission. This committee received stipends for sharing their wisdom and time.