UNITED STATES SERVICE CORPS
Research Foundation
Existing evidence informing practical solutions
Research into practical action
USSC Global Emergency Preparedness connects personal arrangements, community exercises and evidence about persistent barriers. The tools support planning and learning. Their effects on preparedness and service access require evaluation with participating communities. Sources reviewed October 4, 2026.
Inclusive preparedness
In UNDRR’s 2023 survey of 6,342 respondents across 132 countries, only 8% reported that local disaster plans addressed the specific needs of persons with disabilities. This survey supports the need to involve people and caregivers in practical planning.
UNDRR disability and disaster surveyReliable power and care
A WHO and partner report published in January 2023 estimated that nearly one billion people in low and lower middle income countries were served by facilities with unreliable electricity or none. Local assessment is needed to establish the conditions at any particular facility.
WHO health facility electrification findingsInformation about available services
WHO’s HeRAMS supports information about health resources and service availability. Existing authoritative data can inform local planning, with direct confirmation for operational arrangements.
WHO HeRAMSCommunication and access
ITU estimated that 2.2 billion people remained offline in 2025. Preparedness must account for affordable access, understandable information and usable alternatives.
ITU Facts and Figures 2025Resource information standards
Open Referral provides standards and tools for sharing and maintaining information about health, human and social services.
Open Referral technology overviewWhat the tools measure
The personal planner counts complete, current confirmation records entered by its user. The community exercise identifies recorded resource dependencies, unassigned arrangements and capacity conflicts. These measures do not establish that emergency assistance will arrive or that a person or place is safe.
Open Personal PreparednessOpen Community Stress Test