community-based disaster risk management and the media media kit

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MEDIA KIT
One important strategy in disaster risk communication is informing atrisk
populations or communities about risks to increase their awareness
and mobilize them to take actions to reduce their exposure and
vulnerability to hazards. Such communication is popularly known as
“public awareness.” Public awareness activities aim to foster changes
in behavior leading towards a culture of safety. This involves public
information, dissemination, education, broadcasts through television and
radio, use of printed media, as well as, the establishment of information
centers and networks, and forums for community participation.
Within the above mentioned context, the role of the media can be further
divided into three phases in relation to the disaster risk management
approach. These three phases include Pre-, During (Crisis) and Postdisaster
phases.
The Role of the Media BEFORE a Disaster (Pre-Disaster Phase)
In Pre-disaster phase the primary role of media is to emphasize the
importance of disaster risk reduction and preparedness. It should
encourage the decision makers and the at-risk communities to undertake
appropriate actions to avoid future disasters. The media can do this by
highlighting potential sources of risks and vulnerabilities, analyzing risk
patterns and educating the communities about the measures they can
undertake at family, community and organizational levels to mitigate
the hazards and reduce their vulnerabilities. Provision of early warning
is also an essential function which media can perform in a pre-disaster
phase to alert the at-risk communities to take precautionary measures
to avoid an impending disaster. It has been proven in many cases that
where information was adequately transmitted to at-risk communities
through the media, communities were able to take timely actions to
avert considerable damage to life and livelihoods.
The media can perform the following functions to promote disaster
mitigation and preparedness:
1. Analysis of risk sources and patterns: The processes of
urbanization, population growth, industrialization, and environmental
degradation are contributing towards generating risks and disasters
in today’s world. The four aforementioned elements can lead to
hazards which could increase vulnerabilities of people. The media
can publish articles, reviews, and expert opinions on how these four