Throughout crises, information can be both vital and incomplete. Misplaced information could be vital, but because of the very flora of crises, it is often problematic to get and transmit information (Veil & Husted, 2012). Communication within and amongst establishments and communities, and between organizations and the public scopes can break down or become twisted. There is a need for exchange of accurate information/data, and communication amongst various stakeholders involved in the emergency crisis. During the crisis, time is very important as the speaker, Dr. Vicki of Grand Rounds video reinstated (Laureate Education, 2008). In Center for Disease Control (CDC), the speaker, Farnando (Laureate Education, 2008) communicated about how they completely reorganized their communication strategies by employing more staff to take roles and communicated effectively with all stakeholders. Communicating directly with media is also important to ensuring that public understands the many stages of crisis situations, including the relationship that existed within the broader communities.
Most disasters are natural, i.e. the result of some natural force or nature such as, tornadoes, hurricane, Katrina, floods, tsunami and storms (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). However, natural disasters can hardly be predicted. Computers or software technologies used, may never predict the outcomes, and people may not receive timely warning before disaster strikes. In the event of natural disaster manifestation, emergency management agencies are the frontline page of the salvage. The most important key Emergency Management (EM) agencies play is saving the lives of those affected by natural disasters. EM agencies approach circumstances of natural disasters by using emergency tools on the ground, and by ensuing many guidelines and procedures to rescuing lives and properties (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). For example, one of the essential tools used by EM agency is the navigation satellites, which provide three main datasets for effective and efficient rescue operations: localization, navigation and timing services. Three-dimensional (3D) coordinates can be obtained by using these satellites. Navigation feature helps rescue teams to get to a disaster area and rescue location faster, easier and safer. Highly accurate time information is used for synchronization of electronic devices/systems, which is important for reliable and robust systems (Hascicek, Kose & Koytak, 2014). Furthermore, navigation satellites are used for various applications, for the disaster management and emergency response (Hascicek, Kose & Koytak, 2014).
To show how data collection software of natural disaster is hardly predictable and communication can be disconnected in some cases was the Japan tsunami, a twofold tsunami that hit japan by disbelief. My personal experience of such collection software was my participation at our local site in Kansas—well! really a volunteer at the Johnson County Emergency Management (JCEM). During our initial training session, the instructors were able to physically show us examples of what could or can happen in navigating satellites- designed to detect natural disasters. They were able to show us how, when and where tsunami bypass Japanese software system by surprise. It was stated that Japan has the most stylish tsunami warning system in the world, but was taken by surprise in many ways in which, for example, the sheer force and height of the waves that tumbledown their costal populations (Hascicek, Kose & Koytak, 2014). Before Japan tsunami hits, navigation satellites from Nasa and Europe displayed a sign by which tsunami may likely be passing over on the day of the disaster. And they were fortified with apparatuses that were capable of calculating variations in sea levels to a precision of a few centimeters (UNESCO, n.d.). That tsunami came and hit Japan with its ultimate power, and all the systems and public health professionals in place were nothing but of less value, at the time (McCurry, 2011). The multi-joint efforts of national governments of Japan and the international communities to respond swiftly to tsunami disaster may have provided an opportunity to building back education systems to better Japanese standards than before the disaster hits (UNESCO, n.d).
Health educators and public health leaders are fundamental personnel for the protection of disaster-affected people and properties from harm and mistreatment. Victims of natural disasters have the right to know their rights and responsibilities during, and after disaster. That is why crisis communication strategies are important in making sure inter and intra personal communications and organizational development skills are put in place. That is also one of the reasons why there is the reaffirming that all shall enjoy the human right to education, educing in the notion that Universal Declaration of Human Right (UDHR), the International Covenant on Economic (ICE), Social and Cultural Rights (SCR), the 1951 convention relating to the status of refugees (United for Human Rights, n.d.). These rights are important because they allow everyone to understand their status in the aftermath of natural disasters. Public health communication and education are so significant; recognizing that large number of people in the world who are poor and disease-affected where in the natural-disaster-stricken regions. This is a serious challenge to the fulfillment of the international education goals, including Millennium Development Goal (MDG: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). During the Japan tsunami and even in the aftermath, these health educators would go in many affected regions and in communities affected to provide vital information necessary to and improve living condition. giving anticipation for the future and providing order, structure and a sense of normality, education can help to alleviate the psychosocial effects of disaster and dislodgment (McCurry, 2011).
Reference
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.-a). Emergency preparedness and response. Retrieved from http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/
Hascicek, Y. S., Kose, S., & Koytak, E. (2014). An overview of the use of satellite navigation for disaster management and emergency response. International Journal of Emergency Management, 10(1), 1-27.
McCurry, J. (2011). Japan Was Hit By Double Tsunami. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/dec/07/japan-double-tsunami-nasa-satellite
Veil, S. R., & Husted, R. A. (2012). Best practices as an assessment for crisis communication. Journal of Communication Management, 16(2), 131-145. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13632541211217560
UNESCO. (n.d.). Education: Disaster Preparedness. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-international-agenda/education-for-sustainable-development/disaster-risk-reduction/
United for Human Rights. (n.d.). International Human Rights Law. Retrieved from http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/international-human-rights-law-continued.html
