The use of social media in countrywide disaster risk reduction public awareness strategies

Abstract

Social media has been used extensively in recent disasters by emergency managers particularly to warn people and help in the co-ordination of response and recovery. However, its use in disaster prevention and preparedness is less understood. This article examines the use of social media in disaster risk reduction (DRR) awareness strategies around the world through a literature review and expert opinion. It concludes that it is generally underutilised in major DRR awareness strategies, although there are robust programs operating in some countries with high social media use.