Mauritius: Sensitisation through media

Media, disasters and hazards have become inextricably intertwined with the public's great interest and concern about natural and man-made hazards. Subsequently, the electronic and print media widely cover disasters and become the primary source of information to the public.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre (NDRRMC) recognises the fundamental role of the local media and regularly promotes disaster risk reduction and management to the public. The International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) is no stranger to the NDRRMC and represents an ideal platform for promoting disaster preparedness measures to the local population.

The NDRRMC left no stone unturned to share the message of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to the technology-savvy Mauritian population. Together with the written press and digital display boards found at the level of municipal and district councils, the NDRRMC used smart applications to broadcast the theme for the IDDR 2018 “reducing the economic losses from disasters.” Moreover, an email campaign was also used to sensitise local communities, especially those living in vulnerable areas, on reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face.