World Disasters Report underlines that information is a life-saving resource
(Ottawa, October 5, 2005) — Today’s information technology has helped aid agencies gather and store huge amounts of information, but do people affected by disasters get enough information? This year’s World Disasters Report 2005 focuses on information in disasters and considers the quality of the communication that takes place between those involved in disasters and what impact this information has on the people caught up in a crisis. The Report was released today by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The Report, in its 13th year of publication, highlights ways in which accurate, timely information can save lives and reduce suffering during disasters. But it also raises the question whether the affected populations get early enough warnings of an impending disaster, whether these communities are involved in what aid agencies are planning on their behalf and whether aid organizations are as good at sharing information with the affected people as with their donors. The Report underlines that the right kind of information leads to a much deeper understanding of people’s needs and the best ways to meet those needs.
“Recent hurricanes in the US emphasize the value of putting the people most vulnerable to disasters at the centre of early warning and evacuation plans,” said Don Shropshire, National Director, Disaster Management, Canadian Red Cross. “Some of New Orleans’ poorest residents didn’t know the risks or how to react to Hurricane Katrina. When Hurricane Rita struck a few weeks later, blanket media coverage of Katrina had drastically increased the public’s awareness of hurricanes. With the images of New Orleans fresh in their minds, around three million people in Texas and Louisiana evacuated north, days before Rita struck.”
The Report underlines the importance of recognizing information as a form of disaster response in its own right. It also highlights best practices from around the world that can be our guide to stronger information sharing tools.
“Sharing information can be the difference between life and death for many people who face silent crises,” adds Shropshire. “Often if the media does not report on a crisis, international aid and donors are not forthcoming. However, as we have seen with the recent Asian tsunami, if information is shared, the international community has the opportunity to react on a massive scale.”
The Report provides evidence to show that information is as valuable as food, water or shelter for communities affected by disaster. The importance of sharing information, both among aid agencies, but also with the local communities and civil societies affected by a disaster is underlined.
The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 182 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.
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For more information contact:
Suzanne Charest
Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Red Cross
Tel: (613) 740-1928
Cel: (613) 222-6196
Posted October 5, 2005
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