Strengthening synergies to increase public awareness about Disaster Management
The 2nd ABU Media Summit on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction kicked off this morning in Krabi Province, Thailand. Nearly 200 delegates from more than 25 countries are attending these 2-day high level discussions on various issues and challenges.
The Summit was opened by Dr Krissada Raungarreerat, Director General Thai Public Broadcasting Service who is hosting the event. He said that the media is encouraged to adopt specific disaster risk reduction communication policies, support, as appropriate, early warning system and life-saving protective measures. Dr Kissada added that the media should also “stimulate a culture of prevention and strong community involvement in sustained public education campaigns and public consultations at all levels of society, in accordance with national practices.”
In his welcome speech, the ABU Secretary-General, Dr Javad Mottaghi reminded that Krabi was severely affected by the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 where nearly 1400 people lost their lives. This dramatic situation, Dr Mottaghi said, “gives us inspiration to press ahead with the ABU Climate and Disaster Literacy Campaign. This is a campaign to use media to build knowledgeable strong communities able to turn the climate change challenges into opportunities and survive the brutal forces of nature.”
The Summit Flag was handed over by the ABU Secretary-General to the Director of Thai PBS. This reminds us of the 1st ABU Media Summit on Climate Change and Disaster Rosk Reduction held in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2014.
During the past two years since the first Summit, there have been a number of disasters taking place in the Asia-Pacific region as well as other regions around the world.