Public awareness and public education for disaster risk reduction

Action-oriented key messages for households and schools

Every year, shocks, disasters and hazards such as earthquakes, floods, pandemics and landslides, lead to thousands of avoidable deaths. Information shared at the right time, in an understandable format, by trusted sources, can be the most effective life-saving tool in such events. Indeed, knowledge is empowerment when it comes to preparing for, mitigating the impact and responding to shocks and hazards. Deciding on a family preparedness plan; pre-identifying evacuation routes in the building and neighbourhood; knowing to turn the electricity-box off in the event of flooding; remembering to check on older persons in a heat wave: these are the sorts of measures that can equip individuals and families to confidently take action and stay safe in the face of disasters.