The Role of Risk Communication for Better Disaster Preparedness

The heightening risk and cost of natural disasters calls for better disaster preparedness. In this case, strategic and inclusive risk communication serves as an essential tool to enhance risk awareness and drive actions in society.

Enormous Cost of Disasters

Between 2001 and 2020, the direct costs of disasters reached 180–200 billion USD annually, according to UNDRR report. The cost grew significantly compared to two decades ago, which stood at 70–80 billion a year (1970–2000). The report further states that with the indirect and ecosystem impacts, the total disaster costs exceed 2.3 trillion USD annually.

“Acting before the crisis is cheaper and more effective,” said Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. Early warning systems are a crucial part of disaster preparedness that can significantly strengthen the resilience in communities when implemented properly and effectively. However, an analysis by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reveals that many government alerts often lack punctuality, clear guidance, or multilingual accessibility.

As we are at risk for more frequent and severe disasters due to climate change, strategic and inclusive risk communication becomes instrumental in empowering people to not only identify threats but also take protective actions, especially when the established alert fails to reach the intended communities.

Inclusive and Effective Risk Communication

Risk communication aims to build a shared understanding of risk between all involved stakeholders, such as between experts or officials with communities facing threats. Examples range from early disaster alerts on phones to stories about past disaster events. Beyond delivering information and alert, the end goal is driving people to act accordingly to reduce disaster impacts.

The role of risk communication was highlighted at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025, a global multi-stakeholder forum to review progress on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

In particular, the forum underscores how media plays a crucial part in bridging information between experts and the public when disasters strike. This is based on people’s tendencies to rely on local radio, television, or even messaging apps like WhatsApp to obtain information, instead of only government alert systems. It is also important for media, governments, and related stakeholders to strive for inclusive and effective risk communication, such as by using sign language, Braille, and audio alerts.

Inclusive and effective risk communication can also be achieved by involving local communities as active participants in delivering information and fostering actions, rather than passive recipients. By actively taking part, local communities can have greater agency over their own safety and wellbeing, which is hoped to encourage them into taking protective actions.

Lessening the Damage

While disasters often strike suddenly, it is not impossible to prevent huge damage and fatalities through disaster preparedness. At it’s core, inclusive and effective risk communication helps empower people with diverse backgrounds and situations to take actions for their safety. This requires the commitment and actions from all stakeholders, particularly governments and media. At the same time, expanding social safety nets and building proper disaster management systems are also important to ease the burden of disasters for all.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma

Kresentia Madina

Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website | + posts

Madina is the Assistant Manager for Digital Publications at Green Network Asia. She graduated from Universitas Indonesia with a bachelor's degree in English Literature. She has three years of professional experience working on GNA international digital publications, programs, and partnerships particularly on social and cultural issues.