11 reasons to report on Disaster Risk Reduction

The document outlines eleven reasons why the media should report on disaster risk reduction (DRR), framing it as a multifaceted issue spanning politics, economics, human rights, environment, culture, gender, and health. It emphasizes that media coverage can save lives by disseminating early warnings, holding governments accountable for bad governance or corruption, and highlighting the role of traditional knowledge in survival. The guide notes that disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity due to factors like climate change and environmental degradation, with 2022 damages totaling approximately $270bn.

• Media coverage of disaster risk reduction (DRR) serves as a tool to save lives by disseminating early warnings, influencing political decisions, and educating the public on disaster importance.
• DRR is an economic concern as disasters are becoming more costly; in 2022, damages were estimated at $270bn, though many direct and indirect losses remain unaccounted for.
• Disasters disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, particularly women and children in poorer countries, due to subordinate family positions and limited access to education, employment, and calories. For example, Cyclone Nargis in 2008 killed twice as many women as men in the 18-60 age groups in Myanmar.
• Traditional knowledge can significantly reduce mortality during disasters, as evidenced by Simeulue Island during the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, where only seven people died out of over 80,000 despite proximity to the epicentre.
• Integrating DRR principles into the construction of new health facilities is a cost-effective investment, requiring only 4% more in costs to ensure a hospital is resilient and safe.

APA

Rowley, S. (2024). 11 reasons to report on Disaster Risk Reduction. World Association for Christian Communication. https://waccglobal.org/11-reasons-to-report-on-disaster-risk-reduction/

Chicago

Rowley, Saskia. 11 reasons to report on Disaster Risk Reduction. World Association for Christian Communication, 2024. https://waccglobal.org/11-reasons-to-report-on-disaster-risk-reduction/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rowley |first1=Saskia |title=11 reasons to report on Disaster Risk Reduction |publisher=World Association for Christian Communication |date=17 August 2024 |url=https://waccglobal.org/11-reasons-to-report-on-disaster-risk-reduction/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rowley2024reasons, author = {Rowley, Saskia}, title = {{11 reasons to report on Disaster Risk Reduction}}, institution = {World Association for Christian Communication}, year = {2024}, month = aug, url = {https://waccglobal.org/11-reasons-to-report-on-disaster-risk-reduction/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }