IOM conducted a targeted mapping of U.S.-based Haitian, Filipino, and Bangladeshi diaspora organizations. The main scope of this mapping was to explore the landscape of diaspora organizations, understand the level of past and current engagement of U.S.-based Haitian, Filipino, and Bangladeshi diaspora in disaster preparedness and response activities in their country of origin, as well as to assess their level of interest in being trained on safer shelters standards and exploring more effective ways to promote safer shelters within affected communities in Haiti, the Philippines, and Bangladesh.

Specific objectives of the mapping exercise were as follows:

• To gather information on how diaspora from Haiti, Bangladesh, and the Philippines in the U.S. interact with their home country i.e. through remittances, investment etc. as well as the frequency and other conditions of these interactions.
• To gather information regarding existing knowledge of disaster preparedness and response, specifically regarding safe shelters.
• To gather information on how diaspora get information on disaster preparedness and response.
• To gather information on past and current engagement of the Diaspora groups on disaster preparedness and management.
• To gather information on individuals’ and associations’ level of interest and wiliness to be engaged in disaster response and preparedness, specifically regarding safe shelters.
• To gather information on potential challenges or conditions for diaspora engagement in disaster response and preparedness.
• To gather information on feasible communication channels for engagement in disaster preparedness and response.