Analyzing and conceptualizing Pakistan’s pioneering disaster risk communication mobile application: a case study of PDMA Madadgar

This study presents a conceptual model of the PDMA Madadgar Application (hereinafter Madadgar) - Pakistan's pioneer interactive Android-based disaster risk communication app for communities in Pakistan - for subsequent code development and testing. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, employing the design science research approach. The sample participants were purposefully selected, and the data collected from the sample then analyzed through the content analysis method. 

The study's findings highlight the strengths that the app provides: in real-time disaster alerts, early warnings and critical information dissemination. The data reveals that the model is highly interactive. The model also provides a major asset to local communities and field-based staff to receive and disseminate early warning messages, locate evacuation centers, report disasters without warning, and digitally conduct damage assessment. The study concludes that the model enhances disaster risk communication in Pakistan, and informs the global development of effective mobile-based solutions.