VICTORIA, Seychelles — Media executives and journalists from different media houses are currently participating in a three-day workshop being held in Seychelles to equip media professionals with the tools, knowledge and strategies needed to effectively communicate disaster risks and support response efforts. The workshop, running from June 23 to 27, is jointly organised by the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), and Unesco.
The initiative forms part of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) campaign and is grounded in the Unesco Model Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan for Media Institutions, aimed at enhancing institutional resilience and continuity of operations during crises. As a small island developing state, Seychelles is highly exposed to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, intense rainfall, flooding, landslides and more frequent extreme weather events. During a disaster, the role of the media becomes critical, providing life-saving information and raising awareness to help communities act quickly and decisively.
A risk communication training held in March 2025 identified significant gaps in disaster literacy among media professionals, including a lack of preparedness plans within media institutions. In response, this second workshop brings together key players in disaster management and media to build stronger, more resilient communication frameworks. Speaking to the media, Fanny Langella, a representative from the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, highlighted the media’s crucial role. ‘Media is not only essential during a disaster to provide life-saving information, but also in peace time to raise awareness and change behaviours,’ she explained. By the end of the workshop, participating institutions are expected to develop and adopt disaster preparedness and business continuity plans.
