Communication in Emergencies
When a disaster occurs, a good communication strategy is mandatory. Communications are crucial in delivering an effective and coordinated emergency response on the ground. They are also vital to keep and engage supporters, raise more money and advocate for positive change for beneficiaries affected by emergencies and those at risk. Communication should focus on beneficiaries’ needs in a responsible and ethical manner, giving them a voice before, during and after the crisis and address the barriers they face in achieving normalcy in their lives. Furthermore, when NGOs staff members can find common ground on issues of interest for the media, they become a much stronger voice for beneficiaries.
As first, the training will focus on data collection about the situation sincethe media need information, people and pictures to show what is happening in order to contribute to public communication and fundraising. If the humanitarian actors cannot provide with them, they will not get the appropriate visibility.
The course will also face the different audience in emergencies -media, local and global staff, individual supporters, corporate donors, institutional donors, governments, other NGOs, UN agencies, embassies, local partners, affected communities, community leaders, civil society and military forces in the affected area-.
Finally participants will acquire knowledge on emergency preparedness plans, media and advocacy trainings, equipment and supplies needed, list of key contacts, crisis management plan, press releases, appeals, pictures, videos, assessment on security risk of communications activities, social media, sit reps, key messages and tweet sheet/social, case studies, cost examples, factsheets + infographics, briefings, blogs and communications plans.
Participants will deepen the knowledge of the communication in emergencies principles and they will learn about the communication materials requested from the HQ and the communication in emergencies tools. So, the training aims to explain why, how, when and what to communicate during the emergencies and the lessons will be completed by practical exercises.