Citizen lack of preparedness may be linked to perceived low probability to a disaster happening

Some Maltese participants linked preparedness, or lack thereof, specifically to local attitudes: “Malta is an island […] and we are surrounded by so many beautiful things that we don't think of certain things [disasters]”; “we are so distracted in Malta”; “as a nation […] we never think of negative things”; or “Malta is so small that the probability of an earthquake or these things hitting us is very remote. This is why we're a nation that doesn't worry”.

Cultural Factors: Worldviews, Norms/values

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Preparedness

Types of Actors Concerned: National civil protection body, Government

Recommendations:

• Develop guidelines for disaster practitioners that take into consideration the different needs of and approaches to different ethnical groups
• Foster the adoption of a culture of disaster prevention and resilience by informing and motivating citizens to take action