Communicating Disasters: An Asia Pacific Resource Book

Building on the 2006 Bangkok brainstorming session on communication's role in disaster management, held in the aftermath of the tsunami of December 2004, this book explores the role of good communications before, during, and after disasters. It bases its critical look at disaster communications on the lessons of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the Kashmir earthquake, and other recent events, as viewed through the eyes of 21 author/analysts - most of them from Asia - who share their experiences and insights on effective crisis communication.

From the introduction by Nalaka Gunawardene and Frederick Noronha:

"The discussion on the role of information and communication in disaster situations continues. Media-based communication is vitally necessary, but not sufficient, in meeting the multiple information needs of disaster risk reduction and disaster management. Other forms of participatory, non-media communications are needed to create communities that are better prepared and more disaster resilient."

With a focus on the appropriate use of media-based communications, the publication covers rapid on-set disasters such as tsunami, earthquakes, cyclones, and landslides, as well as those that unfold slowly, such as drought. It is written for media professionals, disaster managers, development workers, and civil society groups across Asia who are focused on using information and communication to create safer societies and communities.

The book concludes that adequate planning by media and disaster managers can help avoid communications disasters when communicating about disasters. It includes in its appendices the report on the Bangkok 'Brainstorming on 'Communicating Disasters: Building on the Tsunami Experience and Responding to Future Challenges' of December 2006, and 'Suggested Guidelines for More Effective Engagement of Mass Media and New Media Before, During and After Disasters.'

Not being a commercial publication, it is freely available as a downloadable PDF document.