High levels of interest in disaster preparedness information amongst citizens in Malta

Maltese participants expressed considerable interest in having information about disaster preparedness, with 85% of participants indicating they were quite or strongly interested in information about disaster preparedness. Additionally, almost three out of four participants (71%) indicated strong intentions to prepare for disasters (prepare quite a lot or a lot).

Cultural Factors: Open-mindedness

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:

• Develop guidelines for disaster practitioners that take into consideration the different needs of and approaches to different ethnical groups
• 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