Developing community communication channel for disaster risk reduction of vulnerable groups

Abstract

          This paper is based on a participatory action research aiming to develop community communication channel for disaster risk reduction of disabilities and elders in Patong sub-district, Hat-Yai district, Songkhla province. The research methodology is divided into five phases, which are preparation phase, research phase, planning phase, implementation phase and evaluation phase. In research phase, the research employed qualitative data collection methods covered general observation, group interview, and in-depth interview. The research key informants were 145 persons recruited by purposive sampling. The research findings are derived by content analysis method and triangulation. This research found that Patong communities have the awareness in disaster risk management especially flood, storm and land slide. Local administration organizations in Patong sub-district are the center for natural disaster management. However, the defensive measures for vulnerable groups are likely limited due to difficulties in self-reliance when confronting disaster. Developing community communication channel by promoting the role of village health volunteers is arguably able to reduce disaster risks of disabilities and elders. Village health volunteers are tentatively seen as sender and/or personal media in the communication process. The contribution from their role enactment are (1) promoting the culture of disaster prevention in the community, and (2) increasing the capacity of disaster risk reduction by focusing on people-participation sector.