Communication+Strategies

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Disaster control is an issue that requires great amounts of time, manpower and effort to structuralize. This can be achieved on two levels.


 * **Nationally**: On a national scale there are a number of institutions that can bridge the gap. The ones at a grass-root level are schools and other educational institutions. In a position to reach the youth and create an effective impact, they are the ideal forms of communication between society and the government. They have a primary responsibility to their respective communities to elevate levels of awareness and knowledge about disaster control. A suitable measure would be to introduce compulsory courses into their curriculum, which will target students. Seminars, multi-media presentations, demos and drills can be conducted on a routine basis. The course content should incorporate emergency evacuation, self-protection practices, and basic first-aid training, including CPR.

The problem lies in the fact that disaster control does not occupy a place of importance in education as fire drills and sex education. Interactive sessions and talks held by people on the field would help to familiarize young members of a society with the realities of such events. Disaster relief is a public effort and involvement is essential.

 The other level of operation is at the government level. In terms of structuring and developing the city, efforts must be made to incorporate emergency evacuation and shelter into urban planning. Key points in the city must be identified as areas where people may seek refuge in the event of a natural disaster. Buildings and other free standing structures must be built to withstand impact, and serve protective purposes. Infrastructure must remain intact even after substantial damage is done to the surrounding area. These are steps that every government must take if their respective city is prone to disasters.

 Our objective is not stating that there will be absolutely no damage, but to an extent damages can be minimized to the very least through pre-emptive measures. Organization and efficiency is the key to the success of this matter.
 * **Internationally**: Despite the fact that there are various organizations currently involved in disaster management, their inability to function as a whole will take its toll on the economy, environment and victims. It is of the essence to have a central institution that operates with national groups and other worldwide organizations. This way, plans can be strategized beforehand so that when a natural disaster does occur, it can be put into action immediately, instead of conducting emergency meetings as to how to provide damage control. Authorities should be aware of the protocols and procedures so that when a sudden event takes place appropriate procedures can be undertaken without any delay. For example, under the operation of a centralized organization, there should be specific and pre-allocated tasks to various organizations such as coordination of rescue planes and vehicles entering the area, providing medical supplies and expertise, organizing space and rescue tents so that medical care can be given in sanitary conditions. Priority must be given to the task of relocation and evacuation of victims.