Information gaps between authorities and citizens on how to prepare for a disaster

There is a stronger relationship between respondents feeling informed, or not informed, by the authorities on what to do, and feeling personally prepared for a disaster in their area. Almost three out of five participants expressed their feelings of not being prepared or not being prepared at all, whereas less than one out of ten (8.4%) feel prepared or well prepared.

Cultural Factors: Communication

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

Disaster Phases: Preparedness

Types of Actors Concerned: Local authorities

Recommendations:

• Inform citizens about the risk they may face and about possible actions and measures, they can take to reduce vulnerability and better prepare themselves
• Use cultural factors to improve the effectiveness of disaster communication