What is the role of information in disaster management?

Answer 1

Radio nowadays is important facility for disaster management. Two ways communication radio could be used to extend information from/to disaster location. When natural disaster happened, normal communication facilities like mobile phone, PSTN, BTS towers, phone lines used to be destructed/failed as well, so at this time, radio / amateur radios act as emergency communication services those could relay information to/from disaster location. Of course amateur radio itself that serves emergency communication should have good strength against power of natural disaster, and could be operated uses emergency power supply.

Communication range of emergency amateur radio station is relative dues to frequency that is used. Could be short range if VHF used (up to 50km), or long range if HF used (up to 20,000km).

In disaster affected communities the Radio stations are the primary public information service, bringing information on for example in a hurricane situation on the storms progress, when to seek shelter, and when it is safe to move around outside once again. They will also provide information on the severity of the disaster and any recommended actions the authorities have set for the population.

Basically Radio is the chief source of communicating with the community in a disater situation.

On the 8th Oct 2005, there was an earthquake in the northern areas of Pakistan. The government administration were dealing into a single building Margala Towers in Capital. Had there been early information from radio as a communication facility about the damages which had taken place in the vale of Azad Kashmir, the whole hearted public of PAKISTAN would have certainly looked into volunteering for the rehablitation, though it the formal work started in 3 days of the jolts and carried for an year or so and its consequences still being dealt with.

Secondly, recently the Sirilankan Cops have fight out the rebel Tamil Tigers. What the government did was jamming the means of communication for tt while they tracked them down.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC).is promoting the advocacy with the government in relation to community radio with other organizations since its emergence. Community Radio is playing very significant role in the countries of South Asia responding to other regions of the world. Recently Information Ministry of the People's Republic of Bangladesh formulated Community Radio Installation, Broadcast and Operation Policy 2008 and we would thank the Government for this policy.

Community radio can play significant role in disaster management through promoting preparedness, warning and rehabilitation programs before, during and after any disaster in the coastal areas. In the pre-disaster phase, community radio can promote social forestry, which is the way of developing greenbelt promotion. Community radio can disseminate the messages of warning signals, indigenous coping mechanism i.e. behavior of animal, local weather situations, on first aid, emergency food, evacuation, gathering in cyclone shelter in particular space and on sanitation practice and facilities during emergency and before or afterwards. Moreover, community radio can reflect on plan for emergency responses.

During the disaster phase community radio can standby and function in warning dissemination in local language/accents. Local young people can form a volunteer group as community radio listeners club and can work using radio messages for effective publicity for readiness.

They can shelter vulnerable groups of people including first aid service and conduct rescue activities respecting the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (SPHERE). Community radio can forecast availability of first aid sources and vulnerable area for immediate evacuation. As all communication ways are disrupted during the disaster phase, community radio can continue linkage with government control room and liaison with NGOs and donor agencies.

In post-disaster phase, community radio can broadcast programs and messages on management of deaths and disposal of wastage, restoration of safe water supply and basic sanitation, promotion of alternative livelihood options, appropriate technology for restoration of communications, start immediate need assessment through pre selected volunteers, organize and coordinate relief operations by mobilizing local resources, and prioritize primary health care services.

For the effective role of community radio in disaster management, the CR staff should be properly motivated and radio programs should be designed with much emphasis on the disaster preparedness.

That is why, BNNRC set up Community Radio Academy on 01 May 2008 as one of its social enterprises to enhance capacity of the community radio staff and to conduct research and development activities on community radio program production. Specific Intervention: 1. Organize TOT for Community Radio Station Manager and Initiators 2. Publish handbook on Community Radio and DRR 3. Strengthen Community Radio Academy (TA and Curriculum & Content) 4. Publish handbook on Community Media and DRR 5. Organize two days national forum on Community radio and DRR in collaboration with DRR stakeholders ( each year) 6.

Answer 2

Information dispersal to the community at large

Answer 3

according to the informations people and government can take emergency decisions

Answer 4

by radio