Immigrant Media Roundtable Focuses on Weather Preparedness and Emergency Resources in New York City

The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) and NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) recently hosted an immigrant media roundtable, marking the first of a monthly series aimed at engaging immigrant media reporters and increasing access to information on city resources. The event primarily focused on weather preparedness, emergency resources for immigrant New Yorkers, and the promotion of the city's free emergency notification system, NotifyNYC.

Manuel Castro, Commissioner of MOIA, highlighted the significance of having an emergency plan in place, particularly for immigrant New Yorkers. He emphasized the value of NotifyNYC and the city's 311 service, which provide crucial information in multiple languages, ensuring that all residents, regardless of their immigration status, have access to essential city services and benefits.

"Having an emergency plan is vital for all New Yorkers, but especially for immigrant New Yorkers. NotifyNYC and 311 are invaluable resources that are available in multiple languages, and we hope our collaboration with NYCEM gets the word out to the immigrant community about these remarkable programs," Commissioner Castro stated. "Our monthly roundtables are part of our effort to work collaboratively with other city agencies to ensure all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status, are informed and utilizing the many free city services and benefits."

Zach Iscol, Commissioner of NYCEM, emphasized the importance of collaboration among agencies, cities, and communities in effective emergency management. He stressed that creating a direct line of communication with local and ethnic media partners ensures that every New Yorker has access to essential resources and information before, during, and after an emergency.

"One of the cornerstones of emergency management is the spirit of collaboration among agencies, cities, and communities. By creating a direct line of communication with our local and ethnic media partners, we ensure that every New Yorker has access to resources and information before, during, and after an emergency," Commissioner Iscol stated. "New York City's multiple immigrant communities are at the heart of our great history. As we continue to collaborate with MOIA in various initiatives, we strengthen the roots of collaboration that this city is built on."

NotifyNYC, which has been in operation since 2009, has been a vital source of real-time information for over 1.1 million New Yorkers in 14 languages, including American Sign Language. It serves as a critical tool for disseminating important information during emergencies and is available to all residents. The event encouraged all immigrant New Yorkers to sign up for NotifyNYC by visiting nyc.gov/notify.

The immigrant media roundtable exemplifies the city's commitment to fostering inclusivity and ensuring that all residents have access to essential resources, particularly during emergency situations. It also highlights the ongoing efforts of MOIA and NYCEM to strengthen communication and collaboration among city agencies and immigrant communities.

For more information about NotifyNYC and other city resources, immigrant New Yorkers are encouraged to visit the official website at nyc.gov/notify.