Mobilizing Partnerships to Strengthen Climate Resilience

The Crisis Response Journal is the global information resource that covers all aspects of human-induced disasters and natural hazards, spanning response, disaster risk reduction, resilience, business continuity, and security. Featured in the Autumn 2025 edition is Marcus Coleman Jr., United Way Worldwide's VP of Community Resilience Strategy. Two snippets from his article are below.

"...after the remnants of Hurricane Helene affected North Carolina, United Way of North Carolina leveraged its data collected via its 211 network – an invaluable information and referral service in the US that provides free and confidential guidance on health and human services during and beyond times of disasters – to share with county and state governments to help inform and generate solutions for individuals, families and communities hardest hit by the storm. 

With a longstanding presence in the state and a relationship with emergency management agencies at the county and state levels, United Way of North Carolina partnered with two companies, GoFundMe from California and Preezee from Australia, to align their core competencies and address unmet needs across the state. Together, they delivered over 300 grants to families in need affected by Hurricane Helene, empowering them to secure essential items such as food, clothing, diapers, and other necessities."

Coleman goes on to describe additional collaborations, frameworks, and examples to then highlight United Way's strategic approach to partnerships and illustrate that united is the way to approach these challenges.

"No one entity or organisation can address all the challenges posed by extreme weather. I have seen this firsthand as communities transition from disaster response to recovery. During the response phase, there is a unified focus. Disaster risk reduction poses a different set of challenges that require an equally thoughtful effort to work collaboratively in helping others, with or without government intervention. For instance, private sector organisations can offer technological expertise, while non-profits excel at mobilising community resources. This is happening in Southeast Louisiana, where Verizon has partnered with the United Way of Southeast Louisiana, Habitat for Humanity International, and HyFi, a technology company, to help people understand and mitigate against flood risk.

The partnership allows each organisation to leverage what it does best...."