Information Management and Communication in Emergencies and Disasters: Manual for Disaster Response Teams

Many specialists from the fields of communication and disaster management from Latin America and the Caribbean participated in developing this manual. The contents were tested and adapted under actual emergency and disaster conditions. The final product reflects consensus among the experts about the most important uses of information and communication in emergency situations. This manual focuses on operational aspects of disaster and emergency response as well as preparing for disasters. It addresses plans for communicating with the public during emergencies and techniques for producing, exchanging, and distributing information for humanitarian organizations. Experiences from many emergency situations show that communication is most effective when information management is linked to information exchange and social communication techniques and processes.
PAHO/WHO established the Regional Disaster Response Team (RDRT) to maintain a multidisciplinary group of experts that helps to coordinate disaster response in any member country affected by an emergency. The team includes professionals who specialize in information and communication activities. It is important that they have manuals and tools to guide and standardize work procedures. This manual is part of a broader effort to develop technical abilities. Besides serving the RDRT, the manual provides general guidance for the information and
communication activities that are integral to the health sector’s emergency and disaster preparedness and response.

Bibliographic information

Barrantes, S.A., Rodriguez, M., Pérez, R. (2009). Information Management and Communication in Emergencies and Disasters: Manual for Disaster Response Teams. Pan American Health Organization

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