disseminating messages to vulnerable communities mozambique red cross society geneva, 23 rd, 24 th...
TRANSCRIPT
Disseminating messages to vulnerable communities
Mozambique Red Cross Society
Geneva, 23rd , 24th May, 2006, Eunice Mucache
Sumary of contents:
A. CONTEXT
- Alert systems in Mozambique
- The role of various institutions
- RC role & added value
B. GAPS & NEEDS
2. Do messages reach people at risk ?
3. Is the information understood ?
C. MULTI HAZZARD APPROACH: some challenges to consider
Context: Alert & EWS
Meteorological forecasts
Hydrological alerts
EWS for tropical cyclones
Famine EWS
Tsunami Warning system for
the Indian Ocean (to be
developed)
Context The Role of various institutions
Collection, analysisand production of
information
Dissemination entities
COMMUNITIES
INAM
ARA
RC
CBOs
L.Gvt
OTHERS
Disaster commitees
Local leaders
The largest and furthest reaching CBO in country (110 districts out of 148)
5,500 volunteers, who belong to & are trusted by their own communities which they serve
Auxiliary to the Government Wide international network:
member of the IFRC, composed of 183 RC & 97 million volunteers worldwide
Context: MRCS role & added value
Gaps & needs:Do messages reach people at risk ?
Not as effectivelly as required! Lack of an EW management structure with clearly
defined roles for each party Lack of a clear hierarchy of decision making
powers Lack of a common framework to collect, analyze,
compile and disseminate EW, avoiding contradictory information from different sources
EWS: weak coordination at national & level, causing lack of shared communication networks
Do messages reach people at risk ? – cont.
Implications for the RC work No specific instructions or standard guidelines
for organizations which deliver EW messages to the community.
EWS do not cover all disaster prone areas but are implemented only where there is a project (GTZ, RC) resulting in low country coverage
Forcastes are not always correct, creating mistrust and lack of compliance of the targeted communities
Do messages reach people at risk ?
Implications for the RC work – cont. Radio & TV are the main means to pass on
information to the general public, but they do not reach the most vulnerable communities in remote disaster prone areas
Dissemination of EWS should accommodate better the needs of those most vulnerable in a community, namelly the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, women & child headed households, the ill, the very poor & those whose houses are isolated by the disasters.
Is the information understood?
Not always ! Language is very technical and messages
need to be explained in local languages Media (community radios) with a few
exceptions is not well trained to pass on messages in a correct way
Simulation exercises are not regularly carried out to test and help to consolidate the knowledge
Other reasons why do EWS fail
Cultural aspects “Similar disasters happened before. I
cannot leave the land of my ancentors even if I have to die”.
People trust other signs transmited by their traditional ways of observing the whether
People react if they see their neighbours behave accordingly. They tend to want to confirm first that a disaster will indeed occur.
Role for social scientists
Multi-hazzard approach: Challenges Improve existing systems & clarify how each
should work effectively Improve management & coodination issues Strenghten the capacity of communities,
Government,national agencies, (each in its area of expertise)
Own commitment & external support Poverty reduction & development plans:
Lets not forget that after all the UN 2004 report ranks Mozambique 171/175 countries on the humanitarian development index.
Thank you for your attention !