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Agencies in El Salvador Discuss
Importance
of Social Communications in the Face of Disasters
El Salvador’s tallest
volcano, the Ilamatepec volcano, had been dormant since the
early 20th century until it erupted on 1 October, causing
the evacuation of several thousand people and triggering a
red alert in surrounding areas. Government authorities were
already in a heightened state of alert from the eruption when
Hurricane Stan hit several days later and caused devastating
mudslides. These disasters prompted government agencies, including
the Ministry of Health, to organize several disaster communication
workshops with the media, social communicators and public
institutions. PAHO/WHO supported these efforts.
Both journalists and social
communicators recognize they have an important role to play
in getting reliable information to an at-risk public. Journalists
pointed to the importance of receiving the right type of information,
data and statistics in a timely manner and ensuring that the
information is confirmed and attributed to reliable sources.
They also committed to improving their knowledge about natural
risks and strengthening relationships with national disaster
agencies.
Social communicators in
public institutions pledged to develop strategies to deal
with emergency situations, such as developing a data bank
of health disaster information. To ensure follow up, a social
communication plan was prepared to support the response and
recovery phase of the mudslides and the alert phase of the
Ilamatepec volcano, with a role for all three groups: the
mass media, health disaster response teams and at-risk communities.
The plan should improve the ability of health institutions
in El Salvador to communicate effectively about disasters.
One of the expected long-term benefits of these efforts is
that both the health sector and communities will be better
able to identify risks and vulnerabilities and take appropriate
measures to deal with the health effects of disasters.
For more information contact
Martha Rodriguez, marodrig@ecu.ops-oms.org
or Balmore Parada bparada@els.ops-oms.org.
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