"Effective communication of disaster threats to decision makers and at-risk communities is a growing challenge in a people-centred approach to disaster risk reduction. Traditional communication approaches tend to involve either top-down risk management practices or bottom-up community health and edu
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cation practices. But an alternative blended approach emerges from the academic realm of science communication. In practical terms, the science communication lens focuses attention on a trio of practices for DRR: one-way dissemination of risk information to a broad public; two-way dialogues that identify, engage and consult with specific stakeholders in the risk management process; and three-way participation initiatives that enable informed conversations between communities and decision makers and within communities themselves, to motivate action. The strategic intent of communications – whether that be promotion, persuasion or partnership – ought to be guided by a ‘theory of change’ that delivers clear and coherent DRR goals and by training programmes that recognise the need to integrate a variety of interventions from across the communication continuum." (Abstract)
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"Digitalization has significantly changed disaster preparedness and management. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are used in all phases of disaster management for knowledge acquisition, information dissemination, communication, as well as control. Examples include the use of global d
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atabases for risk analysis, digital early warning systems, apps for recording damage, and communication with those affected via social media platforms. Prerequisites for the application of ICT in a disaster context include access to an ICT infrastructure, digital literacy, uniform guidelines regarding data protection and accountability, particularly in cooperation with private-sector tech companies, the provision of open data and scalable digital applications, and an orientation toward the needs of the affected persons whom the applications are intended to serve. Digital risks that arise in the course of the digitalization of disaster management are many and diverse. They can arise in connection with the design, use, and regulatory environment of technologies. Critical for risks is the interplay between technology, policy, and human factors. While some risks are inherent in the technology itself, such as the susceptibility of digital infrastructure to extreme natural events, other risks arise only through the human factor, such as data misuse or disinformation. All these risks can significantly impact the use and effectiveness of digital apps in disaster management." (Key findings, page 7)
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"There has been a consistent rise in urban disasters, particularly in developing countries located in tropical areas. Among various challenges of disaster risk management and climate change impacts, it is noted that most residents are poorly informed about their risk exposure or apposite response. T
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he paper is based on the premise that one important cause for this gap is inadequate emphasis on risk communication at different levels of planning and agreements. Accordingly, it highlights some important gaps in the risk communication across international agreements including Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and evaluates their impacts at the local level. It brings three selected urban case studies [Mumbai, India; Malé, Maldives; Bay of Bengal region, India and Bangladesh] located in the tropical areas of the South Asia region that illustrate gaps in risk communication that result in enhanced vulnerability and deviations in response. The findings are based on secondary data and literature focusing on global agreements, risk communication, and disaster response. The paper argues that even though global strategies address urban risks, the fragmented nature of risk communication results in poor response and contributes to losses that occur in disasters. Three critical gaps noted in risk communication include (i) it not prioritized at different levels, (ii) inadequate structures to measure its impacts and stakeholders inclusiveness, and (iii) indifference to cultural diversity and integration. Further, it is suggested that there is a need to redefine risk communication at the global scale that extends beyond warning generation and considers multiple factors influencing response including interlinked vulnerabilities and variations in perceptions emerging from varied geographical, socio-cultural, economic, and political processes." (Abstract)
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"1. Pakistan has experienced and responded to floods for decades: support and build on existing systems, networks and experiences that are widely trusted [...] 2. People need information now, to make critical decisions for themselves and their families and to protect what they still have [...] 3. Ca
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sh is likely to be the primary response to the floods: invest early in communication and community engagement to increase its impact [...] 4. Diversifying languages will be key [...] 5. Understand how information flows to, from and within communities: no two individuals are the same, so be sure to explore different ways to reach people [...] 6. Remember that it is easy to exclude people from communication: pay special attention to the needs of vulnerable and marginalised groups." (Pages 2-6)
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"In the light of recent emergencies in Europe and around the globe—including COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine—the spotlight has shifted towards the scarcity of Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) research applied to health emergencies. RCCE nurtures the sense of empowerment among c
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ommunities since it ensures that individuals and communities are part of the solution creation, thus they take informed decisions to protect their health and in turn, contribute to emergency control. Therefore, RCCE can play an important role as core public health intervention across health emergency preparedness and response. However, its tremendous impact, is still underestimated and not widely common. This viewpoint showcases the RCCE measures applied to the Ukrainian emergency to ensure that Ukrainian refugees access health services in host countries, based on their needs and concerns." (Abstract)
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"Using a narrative style, this book draws on stories and examples from seven South Asian countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—to highlight how communities in South Asia are building resilience to climate change. A total of 58 authors have contributed to t
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his volume, and I am delighted that most of them are from the South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics (SANDEE) representing all the seven South Asian countries, five of which are from the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. The 29 chapters in the book are organised under six themes: concepts and models; traditional knowledge and sustainable agriculture; technology adoption; disaster risk reduction; urban sustainability; and alternative livelihoods. These chapters highlight stories of creativity, community engagement, and locally applicable solutions. They are powerful and instructive. They offer valuable lessons for researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers." (Foreword, page xv)
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"This note aims to help inform the planned development of a Disaster Preparedness Module for Indonesia’s PKH program [Family Hope Program, Program Keluarga Harapan PKH] and to provide lessons for other countries on the development of IEC (Information, Education and Communications) tools to improve
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disaster preparedness and climate resilience among social assistance beneficiaries. The note includes four sections which (i) highlight recent approaches to beneficiary education to support Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) goals and provide global experiences of how countries have leveraged their social protection (SP) programs, through beneficiary education and awareness, to improve disaster preparedness and resilience; (ii) outline existing IEC materials and tools used by Government agencies in Indonesia to improve disaster preparedness and resilience among the public; (iii) outline recommended content for Indonesia and other countries to consider including in beneficiary education sessions aimed at improving disaster preparedness and resilience of beneficiaries; and (iv) summarize the procedural steps to develop a new Family Development Session (FDS) module on disaster preparedness, building on lessons learned from previous module development for PKH’s FDS. While the content of this note is particularly targeted at Indonesia’s PKH program, it is hoped that the messages here can also help inform the integration of IEC tools and materials to support behavior change for disaster preparedness and resilience in other SP programs globally." (Page 4)
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"CDAC's core vision focuses on ensuring people and communities are central to identifying solutions to the problems they face in a crisis. The 2022-2027 vision is: 'that communities will have the information and resources they need to determine their own solutions and be central stakeholders in huma
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nitarian and development decision making'. This document outlines the common advocacy statements of the CDAC Network in support of this vision. It aims to support CDAC Network's collective influence to promote a common vision of the growth and change needed in CCEA, so that the drive for effectiveness is efficient and well targeted." (Introduction, page 1)
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"An online survey was conducted in which participants were exposed to one of 16 mock emergency warnings about either a bushfire or a riverine flood and were then asked a series of questions relating to their demographic characteristics, message comprehension and effectiveness, threat appraisal, copi
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ng appraisal, protection motivation and maladaptive coping behaviour. Mock emergency warnings were developed using existing end-user emergency warnings to improve realism and maximise the usefulness of the findings, as well as building on previous QUT-conducted BNHCRC research (see Greer et al., 2019). A total of 2,482 Australians living across all states and territories were recruited to participate in the research. Participants were recruited by the Market Research firm Dynata. Approximately 150 participants responded to each of the 16 stimuli. Overall, the research results show that adding colours and/or icons to the Evacuate Now (Bushfire) message creates improvements, albeit small ones, in message comprehension, effectiveness, perceived probability and perceived self-efficacy. The other three messages showed no improvement (or loss) in message comprehension, effectiveness, threat appraisal, or coping appraisal as a result of adding colours and/or icons." (Abstract)
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"This guide is a living document that is meant to be used as a starting point when planning and undertaking a campaign prior to (if possible) and during a disaster. It is intended to support the work of the Fiji government and the Fiji Communication and Community Engagement Working Group (CCEWG) in
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terms of messaging including tone, language and frequency as well as use of media outlets and other communication initiatives, while engaging and communicating with affected populations." (Conclusion, page 24)
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"Barbadians are not sufficiently prepared for natural disasters. In addition to being heavily reliant on electricity and the internet for communicating during times of crises and disasters, Barbados is in need of a mandatory building code, more resilient housing and building infrastructures, and gre
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ater uptake of insurance among property owners. Moreover, some Barbadians continue to be delayed in their response to emergency warnings. Their tendency to procrastinate on preparing for emergencies and disasters is largely attributed to the fact that, unlike other Caribbean territories, Barbados has not been significantly impacted by a disaster event for over sixty (60) years. As the telecommunication penetration continues to rise in the island, and the Barbados Government continues to be increasingly communicative, the past few years have seen the emergence of a healthier information ecosystem in Barbados, which in turn has made it easier for Barbadians to access the information that they need to effectively participate in society. This progress is however being undermined by the presence of the following undesirable properties: citizens’ and media professionals’ lack of access to information from local authorities caused by inaccessibility of authorities, unavailability of information, and bureaucratic structures and processes of; some citizens’ lack of access to the key information channels; the disabled community’s inability to access information from credible news and information sources; government’s increasing control over information flow; delays in dissemination of crisis and disaster communication to the media by the government; the use of jargons in crisis and disaster communications by local authorities; the proliferation of fake news and propaganda shared on social media and other online platforms; the inability of some Barbadians to identify malicious/inaccurate information; the deterioration of trust among Barbadians in their main information sources." (Overview of key findings, page 7)
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"Generally, Dominicans have access to the information that they need to make informed decisions, especially as it relates to disaster preparation and response. Despite having timely access to disaster-related information, however, some persons continue to act complacent and either fail or refuse to
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prepare for impending disasters." (Back cover)
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"A number of issues have been raised in this report that will help the media to improve on service delivery in disaster-related issues and to be prepared in disaster management. Not only the media has vowed to improve but also government institutions, humanitarian response organizations and media st
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akeholders have also pledged to play a part in supporting the media to carry out its role efectively in terms of accurate and timely reporting. Some of the important points raised in the consultation process were: National and district structures that are set by both government and nongovernment organizations have to involve the media in the planning, processing and implementing of national mechanisms that would help the media in carrying out their duties; the media need to be well-equipped with training and resources that would strengthen their professional capacity; there has to be a good rapport between the media and all government and non-government entities for efcient and efective reporting; there should be proper planning in disaster management amongst all stakeholders involved in this process to enhance coordination at all angles." (Conclusion, page 27)
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"The media is considered to be of utmost importance in all phases of disasters, before, during and after, with different types of media having different proactive roles to play in disaster risk reduction. Before disasters, they play essential roles not only in bringing early warning to people but al
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so in enhancing their perception of the need to take action. At during- and post-disaster response recovery phases, community radio and social media are the key. These necessitate a resilient media infrastructure as the core of uninterrupted coverage. Media literacy has become an important issue for several stakeholders, including governments. In addition, more focus is placed on media governance to look at the priorities of disaster risk reduction initiatives within the media. All of these are considered to lead to trust in the media, which further improves people's disaster response actions based on information from the media, before and during disasters." (Publisher description)
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