Including migrants in disaster awareness activities

Generally, practitioners recommended that citizens, including those from immigrant backgrounds, should be included in the planning of how to respond in emergency with the aim of creating a ‘culture’ of disaster awareness: “In Parma, the Protezione Civile safety plans were shared with the population during creation, to give people the chance to contribute to them and use the citizen’s direct experience through years” (G3; R8), “In a district like Tor Bella Monaca, with a high density of immigrants, I would hope that there have been some ‘inclusive’ information policies, meaning with the participation of citizens” (G4; R5), “Did the citizens participate to the construction of the protection rules and system in the territory? No, it’s been written in a closed room by four heads that probably did not even go in the territory. Let’s start to involve people, let’s bring this “culture” in the territory” (G4; R5). Although plans need to be kept simple and uncomplicated, so that citizens can fully understand them: “A system like this should have a fundamental element, which is the simplification of processes, otherwise taking to a table citizens to discuss something extremely complicated it is not recommended, at least in Italy” (G4; R).

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Communication

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

Disaster Phases: Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery, All disaster phases

Types of Actors Concerned: National civil protection body, Local authorities, Non-active citizens, Active citizens, Government

Recommendations:

• Develop culturally aware disaster preparedness and response training
• Training programmes for citizens of all ages should be developed. These are necessary to increase citizens’ knowledge of and preparedness in case of disasters. The training activities should be organized on the basis of a training strategy and should take various forms, ranging from emergency drill to workshops