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Communicating and reporting in times of risk: the COVID-19 pandemic

Pays
Monde
Sources
UNDRR
Date de publication
Origine
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Confusion and disinformation have been a feature of the COVID-19 pandemic. The press has tried to plough through an avalanche of information to illustrate the situation from various perspectives, but a focus on day-to-day coverage combined with a lack of access to diverse and reliable sources has complicated the task. UNDRR organised a webinar to help raise awareness that the pandemic is more than just a health issue. It involves systemic risk and its cascading impact around the world. They outlined the human impact of natural, technological or in this case, biological, disasters. Additionally, they explained the difference between hazards, exposure, disasters, vulnerability and preparedness, underscoring that “preparedness saves lives”.

Recommendations:

Prepare for surprises;
There are greater risks in an increasingly smaller world;
Nothing harms development more than disasters;
Levelling the playing field is necessary;
Risk is everyone's business;
There must be a collective search for solutions;
Propose solutions;
Avoid stigma through science; and
Build strong and established relationships with risk managers.