Disaster Risk Communication

A common practice uses funny and cute internet memes to describe natural hazards, such as hurricanes, to the general public. Emergency managers create an industry lacking credibility and seriousness when they use unrealistic and comedic scenarios to describe disasters. If people believe that hurricanes are cute and funny, they will not understand their risk and therefore will not prepare adequately.

Nuclear power accidents repeatedly reveal that the industry has an incomplete understanding of the complex risks involved in its operation. Through analyzing the investigation of a nuclear power incident in Sweden in 2006, I show how the industry’s learning
practices shape recurrent normalization of risk regulation after such surprises. Learning is shaped through institutionalized measures of sufficiency and particular “risk objects” (e.g.
human factors and safety culture) created through learning from previous events. Subsequent regulatory measures are shaped through improvement scripts associated with these risk objects. These learning practices exclude alternative conceptual perspectives to understand and address safety-critical incidents. Latent risks will therefore produce similar events in the future. The article contributes to the literature on organizational learning, policy making, sensemaking and normalization in complex systems. To improve learning from incidents and regulation in high-hazard industries, social scientists and a wider circle of stakeholders should be included in the regulatory and post-incident
examination processes.

Tracking disaster aid after a major event is tricky. But it is something that governments have to do immediately. Transparency and accountability during emergency response, recovery and reconstruction post disaster is a must. The public, media, and the affected communities would always ask "where did all the money go?" For Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines,  it is the classic debate of perceived corruption or the lack of an effective post-disaster communications strategy in the recovery and reconstruction efforts? 5 years after Yolanda, people are still asking where did all the foreign aid go? In the minds of many, they believe that government officials pocketed the billions intended for Yolanda victims. But what is perceived as corruption in the Yolanda rehabilitation and recovery efforts is to a large extent a lack of an effective communications strategy. We all know that a successful post-disaster rehabilitation and recovery is beyond the control of one person. But an effective communications strategy would have helped the government manage expectations and shape people’s perception about the Typhoon Yolanda rehabilitation and recovery efforts.  For a mega-disaster like Yolanda, everyone is asking how much did donors and aid agencies give, where did the money go and what projects were funded and where are they implemented.

Dear Colleague,

It is my great pleasure to invite you to participate in the 6th ICT Forum that will be held in October 14-16, 2014 in Nis, Serbia.
Additional information on the 6th ICT Forum is enclosed and can be found at the following website www.ictforum.rpkni.rs.

Marko Stosic

This survey is entitled "Hydro-meteorological Disaster Risk Reduction: Lessons Learned for Resilient Adaptation to a Changing Climate." It was undertaken with the assumption that all humanitarian varying degrees to donor and aid recipients alike. In this survey, we tended to focus on both good and bad lessons with the intention of noting what worked well but more importantly of improving upon those aspects of the reviewed projects that could be improved. isaster risk reduction is Martin Luther King Jr. referred to, in a Human Rights context, as everyone everywhere in all at-risk locations. But funding alone could never be enough to reduce risk; it can only serve in a catalytic way to encourage governments to be pro-active in the face of an uncertain

El presente informe corresponde a una evaluación de las condiciones físicas, sectoriales y territoriales en Colombia de los efectos e impactos y lecciones aprendidas del fenómeno desde octubre de 2014 a junio de 2016. Pues se busca, por una parte, evaluar los efectos e impactos del Fenómeno El Niño 2014-2016, y en su etapa previa 2014, tomando como referencia el fenómeno de 1997-1998, catalogado como uno de los más intensos del siglo XX, para poner en contexto las anomalías climáticas del presente fenómeno y sus impactos socioeconómicos y ambientales, así como la estructura política y administrativa del país para atender estos eventos en dos periodos distintos. Por otra parte, aumentar la capacidad de decisión y la planificación de los diferentes sectores socioeconómicos y regiones del país frente a fenómenos de variabilidad climática que eventualmente se presentarán en el futuro dado su carácter cíclico no regular en el sistema climático global

La UNGRD, con la ayuda del Instituto de Estudios del Ministerio Público (IEMP), ha considerado oportuno brindarles a los municipios de todo el territorio nacional estos lineamientos, en los cuales, cada una de las administraciones locales encontrará una
conjunto de herramientas (conceptuales, metodológicas y prácticas), por medio de las cuales podrán realizar una serie de actividades, que permitirán incluir una valoración de la vulnerabilidad social de sus comunidades en los diferentes estudios de gestión del riesgo de desastres.

The aim of this focal report is to explore how visual techniques can contribute to successful risk communication, as well as to identify the pitfalls and challenges of these techniques. First, we analyze the salient role that diagrams play in contemporary risk analysis, management and public communication. We use different examples to illustrate how the design of risk diagrams influences the amount of information that can be communicated in diagrams and the information’s usefulness for the public. Building on this first part, we then focus on risk maps which can be understood as a subcategory of risk diagrams. We discuss traditional types of risk maps as well as new types of crowdsourced risk maps. Again, we employ real-world examples from different countries to assess the opportunities as well as the pitfalls of this form of risk visualization. In the final section, we draw conclusions and explore the implications for Switzerland. Overall, our analysis shows that visualization techniques can be used very effectively in public risk communication. However, to be really effective, risk visualizations need to be well-embedded into a broader risk communication strategy that matches the nature of the risk and the needs of the audience the communication is aimed at."

This is a case study on the 2011 Matina flash flood affecting thousands of families in the following barangays: Matina Crossing, Matina Pangi and Matina Aplaya. The study areas are heavily populated, with business, and institutional establishments (e.g., commercial and light industries). Using the Crunch Model as an analytical framework, it explores factors leading towards the progression of vulnerabilities as well as social capital that enable communities, groups and institutions respond quickly to the hazards of flooding. Review of literatures, e.g., reports, LGU plans, etc. reveals that Davao City is a flood prone area, major tributaries drains towards the Davao Gulf. Affected families in these areas comprised 61.57% of the total affected families of the 2011 flash floods. The average number of households per family is 4.3, while the total number of casualties reached 29 – majority are women and children. There is a strong sense of social capital exhibited by communities, institutions and various groups involved in the emergency response. Intergovernmental , and cross boundary efforts for climate change adaptation initiatives to reduce vulnerabilities among communities must be factored in given the nature of ecosystems and river systems draining towards Davao Gulf. Further it is recommended that ecosystem-based and community-based adaptation be explored to build more resilient communities who able to with stand and reduce vulnerabilities during natural hazards such as flooding.

When disaster strikes, individuals and organizations must not be only logistically ready, but psychologically prepared. This paper discusses how the public and emergency responders can better prepare for the psychological impact of disaster. Topics that are explored include (1) how and why reactions to terrorism and natural disaster differ, (2) the myths and misperceptions of behaviors during a disaster, (3) the psychological responses to disaster, and (4) disaster intervention strategies. It is suggested how these factors may be implemented in emergency plans. Disaster research studies find that accounting for the misperceptions and the psychological aspect of disaster is vital for an effective response and recovery. Implementing the strategies provided may limit the psychological impact of disaster.

The scope of the chapter is to provide an interpretive hypothesis on the
different functions of different media in the aftermath of a disaster, drawing upon theoretical and empirical literature and case-studies in the light of Uses and Gratification perspective. Moving from the way people engage with media and interpersonal source, the chapter addresses disaster communication in the light of both collective needs and its related social functions, considering how people actually interact with communication to cope with disasters. A better understanding of the ways situational constraint, individual motivations, consumption patterns and communication cycles are arranged may improve our understanding of the whole disaster communication process, thus being very helpful to ground effective communication strategies, and to better understand the possible consequences of poor message shaping or use of wrong choices of channels.
The paper will also discuss complementary roles of broadcast media,
interactive digital environments and interpersonal channels to inform public discourse on disaster, improving preparedness measures, giving voice to exposed communities and informing both individual and collective decision, as well as mobilizing human and collective resources to foster return to normalcy.

Keywords: Disaster communication, Media functions in disaster, Uses
and gratification, Communication theory.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office of the City of San Jose Del Monte (CSJDM), Bulacan has been implementing disaster risk reduction (DRR) programs and activities since 2013 after the passage of RA 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, which constitutionalizes disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippines. As a flood-vulnerable city, and with its location along the West Valley Fault that makes it susceptible to devastation when the so-called Big One occurs, CSJDM recognizes the importance of DRR activities to reduce disaster risks and implements information dissemination and capacity building activities to the public. Although these mechanisms seemed helpful, the approach had been pointed out in existing literature as limiting in terms of audience-based messages and strategies. Junior high school (JHS) students, who belong to the youth sector, are relevant in DRR mechanisms because of their budding potentials as citizens. Youth participation in DRR will minimize the stereotype that their sector is vulnerable in terms of the onset of disasters, especially in CSJDM.

Guided by Venkatesh et al.’s Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 and Health Belief Model of Hochbaum, Rosenstock, and Kegels, the study aimed to determine which motivational factors would affect the intention of the Junior High School (JHS) students to participate in DRR programs and activities in CSJDM, Bulacan. Specifically, it aimed to: 1) Identify their socio-demographic characteristics; 2) Determine the motivational factors grounded on the two theories affecting their intention to participate in DRR programs and activities; and 3) Describe the socio-demographic characteristics that affect their intention to participate in DRR programs and activities.

Survey questionnaires were administered to 420 JHS students from Ebenezer Christian Academy, Inc. and Kaypian National High School, who were randomly selected through proportional stratified random sampling. The data gathered were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. Significant variables were determined using correlation analyses that found out the relationship between and among the variables. The strength of their effect on intention was identified using binary logistic regression.

Results showed that none of the socio-demographic characteristics significantly correlated with the intention of JHS students to participate in DRR programs and activities. In addition, the significant motivational factors were affect, perceived ease of use, attitude towards behavior, perceived behavioral control, habit, compatibility, and hedonic motivation. Among these variables, affect turned out to be the most influencing motivational factor. Meanwhile, the awareness of the students on the existing DRR programs and activities they can participate in had a strong correlation with intention. When affect and awareness were employed simultaneously, there is a 2.6916 probability that the students will participate in DRR programs and activities. On the basis of these results, implications were discussed and recommendations on content development for DRR programs and activities were given.

KEYWORDS: UTAUT 2, Health Belief Model, motivational factors, behavioral intention, disaster risk reduction, DRR programs and activities, youth participation, CSJDM, Bulacan

A significant topic within the behavioral finance literature is the notion of perceived risk pertaining to novice investors (i.e. individuals, finance students) and investment professionals (i.e. financial planners, security analysts). The author provides an overview of the concepts of risk, perception, and risk perception with the financial scholar in mind. There is also a presentation on the behavioral finance concepts and themes that might influence an individual's perception of risk for different types of financial services and investment products. The next section presents a discussion of the significant risk perception research in the social sciences namely from psychology. This research work from psychology (i.e., risk perception studies in risky situations and hazardous activities) is the behavioral foundation for a substantial amount of the current contributions within the behavioral accounting and behavioral finance literature. In particular, the work of the Decision Research scholars including Paul Slovic and his co-authors on risk perception studies that have crossed over from psychology to the disciplines of behavioral accounting and behavioral finance (i.e. behavioral risk characteristics from psychology that are applied within a financial/investment decision making context).

Within the last section of this paper, the author reveals the first of its kind thorough review of the academic research studies on perceived risk/risk perception from the disciplines of behavioral accounting since 1975 and behavioral finance since the late 1960s. This literature review incorporates 12 works from behavioral accounting and 71 endeavors from behavioral finance. In addition, the behavioral finance literature review section also includes approximately 10 narrative research reviews from risk perception studies in behavioral economics. A major facet of this paper was to bring together all the previous studies in the risk perception literature for the purpose of conducting a study based on the academic foundation of the main themes, research approaches, and findings from this collection of studies.

Keywords: risk perception, perceived risk, risk analysis, behavioral risk characteristics, objective risk, subjective risk, behavioral accounting, behavioral economics, standard finance, behavioural finance, psychology, financial psychology, social sciences, risk, standard deviation, beta, Fama, French

Ricciardi, Victor, A Risk Perception Primer: A Narrative Research Review of the Risk Perception Literature in Behavioral Accounting and Behavioral Finance (July 20, 2004).

Increasing globalization, increasing intense urbanization and climate changes have been linked to communities' hazards and disasters vulnerabilities reported across Africa. Less data and information are documented on national to community disaster risk workforce readiness and resilience capacity in emergency humanitarian crises interventions. The lack of coherent and integrated disaster risk analysis and preparedness, response and recovery programs implementation is a major challenged in the region for decades. This paper highlights natural and man-made emergency hazards and disasters nature and exposure, potential approaches in Africa context. Our findings showed that man-made disasters events were the most documented, uneven in their nature, pattern and trend of occurrence and exposure consequences over time. Emerging and re-emerging outbreaks (Cholera, Polio, HIV, Ebola, Influenza, Rift Valley fever and Meningitis) were the most common, followed by conflicts and hunger, floods and land-sliding disproportionately spread across Africa. We also documented differential inadequacies in effective community risk assessment to emergency management, weak community disaster risk knowledge and attitudes to poorly integrated mitigation and recovery strategies. Leveraging on digital and social media network platforms advances coupled with existing fire, emergency facilities and proven effective hazard/disaster response lessons learnt and experiences are resources in strengthening laboratory capacity and laboratory networks, scaling up proactive displaced people/refugee security and safety standards support and best practice. Strengthening the national Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SDRRF) stewardship and investment (2015-2030) implementation is crucial in improving evidence-based, robust, and effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) community-based programs, in ensuring emergency public health readiness and resilient response capacities and ownership strategies in Africa.

South Africa is suffering from a magnitude of increasing human and weather-induced hazards such as drought, diseases, water shortage, urban-flooding, coastal flooding, wildfires, social unrest, and storms. In turn, these hazards instigate devastating social, economic, environmental, physical, political instability and devastating impacts. Due to increased hazards, disaster management activities have gained momentum. Activities such as preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery, require up-to-date reliable data, properly managed information, and organised communication systems. In building community resilience, the disaster management field can, thus, not avoid emerging information, communication and technological developments. In various ways, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is making enormous waves and can aid risk reduction to build resilience. Considering the above, the need for reliable data to manage disasters influenced the research into investigating the information management and communication systems in the South African Provincial Disaster Management Centres (PDMC). Additionally, the research into the status quo of the PDMCs and the dynamics surrounding the establishment of these systems added value to the study investigation. The South African Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 (as amended, Act 16 of 2015) (DMA), the National Disaster Management Framework of 2005 (NDMF), and international agreements like the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) stress the importance of information management and communication systems for effective disaster management.
This study was anchored in the constructivist philosophical worldview that integrates well with the mixed-methods approach. Questionnaires that allowed for semi-structured interviews during administration and an observational walk comprising of photo-taking at the Centres, contributed immensely to the empirical evidence. The study was exploratory in nature because the South African disaster information management and communication systems have not been studied more clearly. A literary study was conducted to explore information and communication-related legislation, good practices, as well as asserting the significant link between disaster risk governance and management of information as the key to successful disaster management. An in-depth literature review, together with the comparative analysis of the Stakeholder Theory, Model of an Integrated Information Management and Communication System for Disaster Risk Management, the Information and Knowledge Management for Disaster Risk Reduction Framework and the Model of Policy Implementation Process, led to
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an empirical inquiry into the disaster risk governance of the South African National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), as well as the nine PDMCs. Following the mixed-method approach, a field study comprised a face-to-face administering (interview style) of a closed and open-ended questionnaire, allowing the respondent to discuss and comment on each question posed. The key informants comprised mainly of the heads of the Centres and deputy or assistant directors from each directorate in the Centre. Using a thematic analytic approach, the empirical data were analysed against themes derived from the research questions and literature review. The data were then presented in a narrative report chapter, comprising of pictures from the observational walk-about at the Centres. A descriptive analysis of the quantitative findings entailing summarising and finding certain patterns was presented. Both the qualitative and quantitative findings were presented sequentially.
Visits to the PDMCs revealed that integrated information management and communication systems were not established, including the NDMC. In an era where technology is increasing in speed, breadth, and depth, the study found disaster management officials collecting information informally without a formal methodology, storing information on personal computers and limited information dissemination methods like emails, as the main platform. The only systems developed since the promulgation of the DMA and the NDMF are fragmented and reactive in nature. The systems were mainly for reporting incidents contradicting the proactive approach mandated by the DMA and the NDMF. The study also confirmed that the governments idealised policy is not being implemented as expected by the government. The implementing institutions are under-capacitated in terms of human resources, irrelevant and inadequate qualifications and infrastructure. Also, politicians are not in full support or do not comprehend the disaster management function. Therefore resulting in the low prioritisation of the investments into integrated systems. Despite the dynamic setbacks, information management and communication systems remain a pivotal component to disaster management. Hence, the study recommends the national government takes the lead in establishing a uniform and integrated system that cascades down to the lower spheres of government.
Based on the in-depth literature review and empirical findings, the study proposed a holistic and effective integrated framework to guide the PDMCs in developing, managing and comprehending the components of information management and communication systems. Also, the Framework guides in understanding the systems’ support for each key performance area and enablers as prescribed in the NDMF. Through strategic disaster risk governance
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recommendations, the study ensured the prioritisation and placement of information, its management, and dissemination at the epicentre of disaster management operations. Disaster management practitioners need to start thinking creatively, find new methods to build resilience and accept some of the latest developments in science and technology that can provide disaster management solutions. Subsequently, good stakeholder relations and good governance practice might help lessen disaster impacts and improve the response to the earlier mentioned devastations.
The main recommendation for further studies included a critical analysis of an established fully functional and integrated disaster information management and communication system. As well as determining the effects of this system on disaster risk reduction in communities.

Disaster Mental Health Community Planning is a step-by-step book to developing mental health disaster plans, assisting communities to act on long-term resilience and recovery.

As disasters continue to increase in severity and number, with 20% of survivors identified as potential PTSD victims, if they don't promptly receive care, this book is a critical read.

Chapters outline how to prepare, develop, and implement a trauma-informed collaborative process that prioritizes lasting emotional wellbeing along with survivors’ short-term needs. The manual demonstrates how to form this partnership through effective communication, assess those individuals at greatest risk of distress, and deliver trauma-specific treatment. Readers will appreciate the book’s practical, user-friendly approach, including case studies, checklists, and follow-up questions to better define goals. Cutting-edge treatment interventions are included along with basic information on trauma's impact on the brain and the types and effects of human-caused and natural disasters to help readers make sound planning decisions.

Accessible to mental-health providers, community leaders, organizations, and individuals alike, Disaster Mental Health Community Planning is a Road Map for anyone interested in delivering a trauma-informed mental health supplement to their community's medical disaster preparedness and response plan and to best prepare for climate changes and future pandemics.

Table of Contents
1. Introduction  2. The Four Principles of Disaster Mental Health  3. Action Planning through Collaboration  4. Collaboration Outreach and Education  5. Assessing Community Mental Health Needs and Assets  6. Natural and Human-Caused Disasters 7. Essential Mental Health Services  8. Resilient Individuals and Communities  9. Lessons Learned 10. Roadmap

Author(s)
Biography
Robert W. Schmidt, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor who lives and practices in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. He was given the ACA Samuel T. Gladding Unsung Hero Award for his work in Sandy Hook.

Sharon L. Cohen, MA Com, is a corporate/nonprofit communication and collaboration specialist with a background in the mental health field.

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Sharon L. Cohen
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Newtown, CT, United States

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Reviews
"Robert Schmidt and Sharon Cohen have written what is destined to be a classic in the mental health field. Disaster Mental Health Community Planning contains comprehensive information on creating community-wide emergency plans for handling traumas, including a psychological component. The text stresses collaboration, communication, assessment, and lessons learned from various types of natural and human-made disasters. It is pro-active, beautifully organized, reader-friendly, and chock full of essential information for dealing with catastrophes and their aftermath. In an age of unpredictability, this book is a stable resource." -- Samuel T. Gladding, Ph.D., LPC, CCMHC, professor of counseling, Wake Forest University; former American Counseling Association president and ACA Foundation Trustee

"Disaster Mental Health Community Planning is a must-read for community leaders and mental health professionals before disaster strikes. This book provides invaluable information for considering, creating, and establishing a sustainable resiliency plan in the face of natural and human tragedies. Unfortunately, the necessity for this kind of planning is all too real and necessary in the U.S. today. Having established Evidence Based EFT trauma-healing programs in Sandy Hook, CT, Parkland, FL, as well as for genocide, indigenous, and refugee communities in Rwanda and Australia, I understand the importance of having a plan in place to bring communities back to resiliency as quickly and effectively as possible, otherwise these kinds of traumas have the potential to debilitate communities for generations." -- Lori Leyden, PhD, MBA, international trauma specialist

"Disaster Mental Health Community Planning is a comprehensive handbook for communities to plan for and recover from communal trauma. Written as a guide from a first-hand perspective and directly influenced by Schmidt’s experiences as a Sandy Hook resident and counselor and Cohen’s background in communication and collaboration, it highlights the importance of addressing the psychological and emotional impact from communal trauma and explains evidenced-based trauma therapies that most effectively promote recovery. The authors effectively explain in layman terms the importance of translating chaos into collaboration as a means of promoting community healing following a communal mental health disaster." -- Deb Del Vecchio-Scully, LPC, NCC, BCN, DCMHS, diplomat, clinical mental health specialist in trauma counseling, former clinical recovery leader, Newtown Recovery & Resiliency Team, co-founder and clinical director of Center for NeuroPotential and PTSD

"Mental health in the U.S. is unfortunately often overlooked or ignored in all aspects of our society. Case in point, many people who are traumatized from a disaster do not receive the treatment needed for long-term care. I hope that communities will use the information in this book to develop a plan specifically aimed to help the needs of these distraught survivors." -- John T. Broderick, Jr., former chief justice, New Hampshire Supreme Court.

"Collaboratives, such as those mentioned in this book and the one we established in California, provide an important way to provide immediate and long-term mental health needs to natural disaster survivors. We recommend such collaborations highly." -- Debbie Mason, CEO, Foundation of Northern Sonoma County.

"Congratulations to the authors for distilling the very complex topic of disaster mental health and providing all that is needed to develop a plan for effective preparedness and response after a serious incident." -- Cindy Ehlers, licensed professional counselor and vice president, operations, Trillium Health Resources.

The growing cost and frequency of natural catastrophes and their implications for economic growth and development have led to a concern over the level of public awareness and education relative to largescale catastrophes and disaster risk reduction measures. Public awareness and education of disaster risk reduction are, in particular, increasingly acknowledged as important components of effective risk management of natural catastrophes. The financial component of disaster risk management and mitigation strategies, involving risk transfer and compensation strategies, is also recognized as being important for reducing the financial impact of catastrophes on individuals, businesses, and governments, and permitting more rapid economic and social recovery. As such, systematic promotion of public awareness and education of risks and risk reduction measures, including financial loss-sharing and risk transfer tools, is an important aspect of national and international strategies to reduce vulnerability and losses from catastrophic events.

(Author wrote the report for Center for Disaster Preparedness which served as the main implementer of the Philippine DRR Community of Practice Project, an undertaking aimed at cultivating linkages and networks between and among the landscape of Integrated Risk Management or IRM)

Guided by its vision to help communities achieve a safe, resilient, and sustainable future, CDP embarked on the challenge of consolidating and sustaining the momentum of the Community of Practice in the Philippines. Building on the gains and milestones achieved by its previous implementer, the CoP under CDP’s coordinatorship aspired to foster not only meaningful encounters and conversations between and among current members but also cultivate platforms to facilitate and cultivate relevant discourse regarding resilience, coherence, and localization.

Throughout its implementation in the past 18 months, the project was able to go beyond what was expected despite the many limitations and challenges posed by the global public health and socioeconomic crises brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the difficulties brought about by the pandemic, the PH DRR CoP Project was able to engage a vast network of partners running the gamut from CSOs, representatives from
the Basic Sectors, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith-Based Sectors, and People’s Organizations (POs) to national and subnational government units, agencies, duty-bearers, and stakeholders.

More than 500 partners and stakeholders took part in the series of meaningful discussions and conversations that were undertaken throughout the course of the project, which served as an apt platform to engage in discourse and raise awareness regarding critical issues surrounding Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR); Climate Change Adaptation
and Management (CCAM); and Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) or the integrated management of risks (IRM), while also fostering dialogue and advocacy to effectively uphold meaningful participation amid the shrinking civic democratic space and unstable sociopolitical climate.

Along with this, the PH DRR CoP also responded to the call to help overcome the prevailing culture of mis- and disinformation surrounding the
COVID-10 pandemic by carrying out grounded dialogues and meaningful conversations centered on sound information from numerous concerned duty-bearers, stakeholders, and sectors.

In the course of its implementation, the PH DRR CoP has thus demonstrated that forging a constituency among practitioners, duty-bearers, stakeholders, and rights-holders in the landscape of DRRM will not only facilitate more meaningful conversations on DRR-CCAM-EBM or IRM, but will also exemplify the ‘whole-of-society’ approach that serves vital in the attainment of genuine inclusion, resilience, and coherence – deemed as key ingredients in ensuring the realization of safe, empowered, and disaster-resilient communities.

This paper is published in the SEARCH Journal. You can access it here: http://search.taylors.edu.my/journalonline/SEARCH%20JOURNAL%20Volume%207%20Issue%202.htm

Environmental and risk communication have become trends in many forms of mass media, including television. In the Philippines, local television stations have joined the bandwagon through producing their own versions of environmental programs such as GMA Network‟s award-winning broadcast documentaries titled Signos, Planet Philippines, Wildlife for Sale, and Oras Na. Grounded on ecocritical theory, this paper discusses the paradigm dominating the discourses on environmental risk and risk reduction in the said environmental documentaries. It has been found that the main framework of presentation and analysis on environmental risks and risk reduction is ecotopianism, which is problematic as it excludes socio-cultural aspects. This paper, therefore, calls for the inclusion of muted or neglected perspectives on the topic such as transgressive ecotopianism, indigenous or traditional knowledge, and eco-Marxism. Through the presentation of such alternative discourses on air, the audience could be well-informed, thus making them empowered to participate in the discussion and formulation of decisions and policies regarding the environment and environmental risks.

Commonly called pictograms, symbols or icons, it is convened that these are normalized images designed to display a concrete meaning. As a system, icons function as a codified language to facilitate communication. These can also be efficient to manage messages on different media or information technologies. In the specific context of an emergency, different initiatives of icons have been developed, mainly considering context (i.e., a crisis) or specific actions (i.e., warning). Today, it is possible to find different icon collections, some presenting styling novelty, and open-access. However, usually, these are delivered as is, without any proof of their effectiveness. It these are designed for critical contexts such as emergency, evidence of performance might be provided. Evidence can be collected from testing, contributing to developing better tools for communication in crisis from local to global scale. This article presents definitions and a review of cases on icons for different types of emergency, selected by their open availability. Based in the literature review, a fundamental indicator to assess icons performance is Comprehension. As a case study, testing process and results conducted in the Guemil Project are explained. This is centered on ‘Meaning’ as a specific variable to measure performance. Finally, some reflections emphasize both open–access orientation and the importance of performance tests to establish effectiveness.

Os eventos climáticos extremos estão se tornando cada vez mais frequentes, provocando danos e atingindo um número maior de pessoas em desastres por todo o mundo. No Brasil, a cultura de perceber e comunicar o risco de desastre ainda é incipiente tanto para a população quanto para os órgãos de comunicação. A comunicação comunitária e os órgãos de comunicação são parte fundamental na construção de cidades mais seguras e populações mais preparadas para prevenir o risco e se preparar para o desastre.

Ano de publicação: 2012

"This report addresses key issues of online public risk communication. It identifies the main goals of risk communication generically and how they may be achieved using the Internet. In particular, it shows possible strategies of how key elements of traditional risk management can be adapted to the new information environment.

After an introductive section, in the second part of the report, the concept of risk communication is clarified and some major trends in risk communication research and practice are sketched out. We discuss conditions of successful public risk communication militate against the use of technical approaches to risk communication. Thereafter, in section 3 we address the question of how current challenges of risk communication can be met in a communication environment in which the Internet and other information and communication technologies play an increasingly important role. To this end, we first discuss how online communication platforms can be employed by organizational risk communicators to learn about risk perceptions and risk acceptance among relevant stakeholders, and identify issues that organizational risk communication should address. Secondly, we examine different ways to use new communication technologies to design an organizational communication approach that is tailored to the specific needs of particular target groups. Finally, we discuss the possibility of establishing mutual trust, shared responsibility and cooperation between organizations and their environments with the help of ICT. In the final section we conclude with an overview of different steps to adapt established risk management processes and institutions to the information age."

4. Pour arriver à l’équilibre économique, social et environnemental souhaité par tous les haïtiens et les partenaires du pays, les populations doivent affronter leurs vieux démons qui se résument à la forte vulnérabilité du pays aux menaces naturelles multiples. Pour y parvenir, le chemin le plus simple consiste à mettre la Gestion du Risque au centre de toutes les préoccupations et de l’intégrer de manière forte, omniprésente et durable dans tous les compartiments de la vie au quotidien en Haïti. De cette culture du risque émergeront les possibilités de croissance et de développement durable profitables aux générations actuelles et futures d’Haïtiens.

The present study seeks to systematically describe how humanitarian aid organizations use visuals in their natural disaster-related social media messages and to analyze their effects on social media engagement. Using Rodriguez and Dimitrova’s (2011) four levels of visual framing, we performed a content analysis of 810 tweets from 38 aid organizations. The results showed that, overall, the organizations’ visuals had an emphasis on victims and on disaster relief efforts. The most effective types of visual framing, however, were not those the aid organizations most commonly used. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications.

Even if natural hazards -volcanism, seismicity, mass movements and hydro-meteorological processes- continue to
become manifest, it is human vulnerability that actually defines the degree of intensity of the damages associated either socially,
economically and environmentally –i.e. disasters-. In most countries worldwide, indistinctively of their geographical location,
wealth and degree of development, the occurrence of significant losses is becoming commonplace. The lack of persuasive strength
of the arguments developed and conveyed by the scientific and engineering communities, unfortunately weight heavily upon the
fact that managerial and political decision-makers are not convinced about the priority of reducing risk and do not stand on a more
proactive attitude in fostering an integral preventive risk management strategies. Therefore, as it will be discussed throughout this
paper, the reader will have the opportunity of deciding on whether to keep considering disasters as “natural” or, even if its use is
widespread nowadays, leaving this term aside in order to re-think on our own responsibility on the matter.

This paper reviews a selection of target levels for safety and security in order to identify their common properties. It is accompanied by a brief investigation of several key terms used in risk management. Risk management is used as an umbrella term for the various research areas dealing with multiple hazards, impacts types and measures for dealing with them. The paper draws upon examples and experience from the wider field of disaster risk research and civil protection. A concept which identifies the common properties and content of risk management goals in general is then devised. Normative implications and challenges in applying risk management goals and the use of terminology are discussed. Finally, two main future research areas are briefly outlined: the role and responsibility of the researcher or observer; and the ways of making use of risk management goals in risk communication. This paper provides fundamental information on examples of risk management goals, common properties and risk communication as compiled for and used by certain national authorities in civil protection in Germany. However, its findings may also be useful for fellow researchers within the disaster risk, climate change, vulnerability and resilience community, and for practitioners in the field of risk, and crisis or emergency management. The future applications of these findings will be useful, especially when developing risk management goals for specific user groups and different levels of analysis.

SPANISH (English version below)
El 13 de noviembre de 2002, el petrolero Prestige lanzó un SOS con el que comenzaba uno de los mayores desastres medioambientales de la historia de España. Los vertidos de fuel oil que se prolongaron durante los meses posteriores acabaron generando una crisis política y una considerable confrontación social. Esta tesis doctoral analiza la cobertura televisiva realizada por cuatro cadenas de televisión (TVE1, TV3, Antena 3 y Telecinco) desde noviembre de 2002 hasta febrero de 2003.

Mediante un estudio de caso y recurriendo, principalmente, al análisis de contenido cuantitativo y al análisis del discurso como técnicas de investigación, la tesis reconstruye las agendas mediáticas completadas por cada cadena, estableciendo comparaciones significativas a partir de las decisiones editoriales y configurando un mapa de las estrategias corporativas y periodísticas de cada operador.

El marco teórico toma como punto de partida los principios de la sociedad del riesgo, estableciendo una relación directa con algunas tendencias del periodismo contemporáneo. Además, se repasan algunas de las principales aportaciones de la teoría de la comunicación al estudio de la producción mediática para desembocar, finalmente, en un estudio detallado de la información televisiva con especial énfasis en el noticiario como formato audiovisual más significativo.

Las crisis se presentan como episodios que aceleran las rutinas periodísticas de producción, agudizando las fortalezas y las debilidades del periodismo actual. Se convierten, por lo tanto, en un contexto muy productivo para la investigación en comunicación. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto la excesiva relevancia atribuida a las conexiones en directo, la obsesión por informar sobre las dimensiones cuantitativas de la noticia, el creciente peso de la imagen o algunas tendencias que apuntan hacia el sensacionalismo. El análisis detallado del tratamiento de cada uno de los personajes y colectivos implicados en el episodio permite conocer el retrato elaborado por cada cadena, brindando contrastes muy ilustrativos.

Asimismo, las crisis se convierten en una oportunidad estratégica para las cadenas, que pueden aprovechar su irrupción para replantearse su posición en el mercado. El comportamiento de Telecinco resulta especialmente significativo, ya que se constata un evidente viraje editorial cuya orientación no se entiende en términos exclusivamente periodísticos, sino que apunta hacia decisiones con un mayor alcance. Por su parte, el resto de cadenas recurren a estrategias alternativas, en las que las posiciones editoriales y los estilos informativos apelan a su autonomía a la hora de informar sobre cualquier asunto noticioso.

Esta tesis doctoral contribuye a un mejor conocimiento del abordaje periodístico sobre las situaciones de crisis, con el valor añadido de que su objeto de estudio es más amplio en términos cronológicos que la mayoría de investigaciones sobre comunicación de crisis, y de que el material analizado procede de la televisión, en lugar de la dominante presencia de la prensa como corpus analítico.


ENGLISH
On November 13th 2002, the oil tank Prestige sent an SOS that meant the starting point for one of the main environmental disasters of the Spanish history. The oil spills extended during the following months lead into a political crisis and a social confrontation. This doctoral thesis analyses the television coverage of four TV channels (TVE1, TV3, Antena 3 and Telecinco) from November 2002 until February 2003.

By means of a case of study, and mainly using both quantitative content analysis and discourse analysis as research methods, this thesis rebuilds the media agendas designed by each channel, establishing meaningful comparisons between the editorial decisions and mapping the corporate and informative strategies of each TV station.

The theoretical framework refers initially to Ulrich Beck’s risk society, linking directly this wide concept to some of the current trends of the contemporary journalism. Furthermore, some of the main contributions coming from the Communication Sciences field are also revisited in order to deepen the knowledge about audiovisual information. In this topic, a detailed study about the newscast as a salient TV format is also completed.

Crises are presented as periods when the production routines become accelerated, highlighting both the strengths and the weaknesses of daily journalism. As a matter of fact, crises are one of the richest context for Communication Research. Results underline the excessive salience attributed to live coverage, the obsession for quantifying  all the news dimensions, the growing presence of the image or some features pointing to a sensationalist approach. Detailed study of each of the main individuals and groups involved in this episode allows to see to portrait displayed by each channels, showing interesting contrasts.

Besides that, crises are also strategic opportunities for the channels. When a crisis breaks down, any channel has the chance to rethink its own position in the overall market. The behavior of Telecinco is specially remarkable, as one can find a clear editorial shift that cannot be explained by appealing only to journalistic criteria, but it also points to decisions taken in a wider scope. On the other hand, the rest of the channels relied on alternative strategies, showing their own independence to choose any editorial positions and any news style.

This doctoral thesis contributes to a better understanding of the journalistic approach about crises. Its added values refer to a longer period of analysis in comparison with the usual crises’ studies and to the use of TV newscasts as the source of information, instead of the dominant presence of the press as analytical corpus.

The presenttaions looks into,f undamentals of Disaster Management, Overview and Classification. Principles of Incident Site Organization. Role of Health Professionals in Disaster Management. Environmental Health in disaster management Logistics of Disaster Management Planning.Assesment of Vulnerability and Preparedness. Forecasting Disasters.Organising and Implementing Disaster Preparedness plan

Proceedings of Cumulus Rome Conference, 2021 | In the intersection of disciplines such as User Experience (UX) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM), this paper presents definitions from a change of paradigm: From dealing with disaster towards the management of risk, establishing the conceptual notion of Before - During - After an event. In the communication of risk, different tools are combined to deliver information about subjects, events or actions. Ideally, a well-designed message allows users to visualize, understand and facilitate decisions. However, in an emergency the experience might be radically altered. Information Design (ID) has a role to optimize messages in such disruptive contexts. In order to cope with access or language barriers, instrument devices such as icons are widely applied. Following ID principles, messages and visual tools devices need to be verified in their effectiveness. Design + Research is presented: In one hand, open-source icons representing emergencies, and in the other their international testing. Establishing performance indicators, the results reveal the importance of simple visual information tools to optimize communication. Conclusions call for an open collaboration process, focusing on a multidisciplinary integration. Finally, observations are provided as an ongoing process.

This article argues that mainstreaming media into disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) activities could make it a more effective functioning component of DRRM in planning and implementation of disaster risk reduction strategies. Lack of a sound relationship between the media and disaster managers can lead to a negative image of disaster managers and an uninformed public. The study was based on a narrative and systematic review of scholarly documents along with discourse analysis of the reporting of disasters by a major South African newspaper. Relevant legislation was also reviewed to identify its level of support for the incorporation of media into disaster management activities and a questionnaire was administered to journalists and disaster managers. Findings obtained from the content analysis of the data obtained from statutes, articles and other documents, informed the development of a media strategic framework. This framework is a proposed tool for use by disaster managers. The article argues that the framework could help to ensure that media is not only a vessel for transmitting bad news during a disaster, but rather (via a continuous interrelationship in DRRM processes) it could provide additional active and accurate messaging to the public.