The Importance of Inclusive Communication During Disasters

No man left behind is a motto to live by during disasters.  Knowing where everyone is, how they have been affected and what is happening is crucial to managing a disaster. If people are missing out on communication then they do not know what is happening. Dealing with disaster requires good communication. 

It’s crucial that anyone impacted by a crisis be able to get their hands on accurate information and use it to make informed decisions. Thus, disaster communication must be inclusive to ensure no one is left behind. In this article, let’s look at why it is important to ensure inclusiveness in crisis messaging.

Inclusive disaster communication takes into account language, cultural, and accessibility issues. Disasters may impact all races, ethnicities, ages, genders, abilities, and socioeconomic origins. Thus, multiple communication methods are needed to reach all impacted groups, including those who may not know the local language or have inadequate technology.

Simple messaging promotes inclusive communication. It is important to be mindful of your wordings, and use of complicated phrases by adopting simple English. It is important to take note that people may be worried, nervous, or traumatised after a disaster and have trouble processing complicated information

Lastly, inclusive communication goes beyond language and medium.  It’s also about making everyone feel valued and heard. Disasters may cause worry and anxiety. Emotional support and reassurance through inclusive communication may ease these emotions. By having the ability to interact with affected groups, you are also building a strong sense of trust.

One way to achieve inclusive communication during disasters is through the use of technology. Conxhub, for example, offers a range of communication solutions that can help to ensure that everyone receives the information they need during a crisis safely and real-time. 

Remember, disaster recovery may benefit from inclusive communication. For instance, communities may require disaster relief information, such as how to apply for help or where to obtain temporary accommodation. Through inclusive communication, it would make this knowledge available to everybody so no one is left behind.

Now that we have understood why inclusive communication is important, it is important too that organisations, big or small, must take action to incorporate ways to ensure inclusive messaging in their disaster plan.

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