COMMUNICATION IN NATURAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT: A STUDY OF 2005 FLOOD RISK AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AMONG THE RESIDENTS OF JALINGO METROPOLIS

COMMUNICATION IN NATURAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT: A STUDY OF 2005 FLOOD RISK AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AMONG THE RESIDENTS OF JALINGO METROPOLIS

Abstract:

This study examined the communication channels employed by Taraba State Government before, during and after 2005 flood disaster in Jalingo metropolis. The major communication strategies used were identified and their effectiveness evaluated on the affected communities. The study was premised on risk communication theory and survey, in-depth-interview and Focus Group Discussion methods were employed to obtain the data. The Findings show that Radio, television, newspapers and magazines were the major channels of communication used by Taraba State Government. Among these communication channels Radio was found to be the major channel of communication through which quick campaign warning messages were sent to the people at risk. Likewise, the study found that communication strategies used by Taraba State Government before, during and after flood disaster on risk campaign awareness are advocacy visit to the flooded communities and door-to-door strategies. Against this background door-to-door communication is considered a very good medium for communicating disaster information in the studied area. Finally the study recommends that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) be more effectively funded and equipped with state of the arts equipment’s to meet national/international disaster response standards, so that it can more effectively respond to the ever changing challenges on natural disaster management

COMMUNICATION IN NATURAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT: A STUDY OF 2005 FLOOD RISK AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AMONG THE RESIDENTS OF JALINGO METROPOLIS