KUCHING: In the occurrence of disasters, members of the public play a significant role in helping victims.
Senior managing director of Strat3 LLC, Virginia, Robert Jensen, said however members of the public often donate items such as used clothes, which may not be of good use.
“To ensure these victims get the right assistance, it would be advisable for the public to donate their money to non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“By giving your money to the respected NGOs, they are able to buy food or other necessary items that are needed by the victims” he said during the “Role of Media in Covering Security Cooperation” workshop at Hilton Hotel, yesterday.
He also advised the public to be aware of fake organisations looking to make profit during disasters.
“Whenever there are disasters, there are a lot fake NGOs asking for money so they can help victims, so beware,” he pointed out.
He then shared how the media should report during disasters and used floods as an example.
“Journalists, photographers and videographers must not be in the water when reporting as it not only concerns your safety, but you’re also sending a wrong message to the affected victims.
“You may think it is cool to do so, and victims think they could do the same, therefore it is creating a negative behaviour,” he pointed out.
He added media should also avoid showing footage of cars driving through flood water, which again sends a wrong message to the public.
“What the media should be reporting is how victims are saved during the disasters and report on the numbers of survivors,” he stressed.
He mentioned the government, including the media, should educate the public on how to prepare for a disaster and how to deal with the aftermath.
“I would also suggest instead of using the word ‘natural disaster’, it is better to use ‘natural hazard’ for these types of disasters.
“Media must know the types of natural hazards in your region and the ‘phases’ of them.”
He further explained that disaster reporting doesn’t necessarily always have to be about the heartbreak.
“It is also important to cover on the human interest aspect of the story and the recovery process, including how various government agencies and private sectors respond to disasters.
Jensen has 35 years of experience across a broad spectrum of assignments both inside and outside of the government of the United States of America.
He has led the US government through on the ground crisis communication efforts after the massive earthquake in Haiti, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response and more than 30 major US disasters including Hurricane Sandy.
He was also a spokesman for the White House’s National Security Council and the US Embassy in Baghdad, and also led communications efforts in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Afghanistan during four combat zone deployments.
