Importance of safety instructions in non-native languages

Participants pointed at Malta's specific situation as a tourist destination, where they perceived the need for more safety instructions in different foreign languages: “Mainly they are in English but not everyone understands them”. By referring to the procedures on cruise ships - “in case of a cruise liner, the first thing they do is greet you and inform you where the rescue things are, the procedures you need to follow, the boats etc. They do not do this for nothing” – some participants suggested that information about emergency procedures should also be actively provided to visitors of mass-gathering locations, e.g. as part of the check-in procedures at hotel receptions or when entering touristic attractions.

Cultural Factors: Languages

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:

• Use trustworthy, widespread, multi-lingual, culturally appropriate and inclusive means of alerting the target population in case of disasters
• 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