Community-Based Preparedness Before Mass Gatherings: A Successful Experience

Abstract

Context: This brief report describes a successful community-based disaster management experience involving pre-event preparedness for a mass religious gathering after a flash flood in Abarkouh, Yazd, Iran. Objectives: This report aimed to describe the community-based preparedness experience and key lessons learned from this response. Evidence Acquisition: Data were collected through on-site observations, face-to-face interviews with spontaneous volunteers and local managers, and telephone interviews with provincial officials. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: A sudden flash flood in 2022 inundated the main site for Muharram mass gatherings. Despite limited time and resources, community members, together with government forces, rapidly organized and worked around the clock to drain water, repair equipment, prepare the ground, and restore infrastructure. The site became fully operational within three days, relying entirely on public participation and local donations. Spontaneous volunteers demonstrated detailed knowledge of the area, strong motivation, and close coordination with authorities. Conclusions: When community members perceive themselves as primary actors in crisis management, disaster response becomes faster, more coordinated, and more cost-effective. Strengthening community engagement, identifying volunteer groups, enhancing communication networks, and improving public education are critical strategies for effective preparedness for mass gatherings.