{"id":2333,"date":"2023-10-01T06:13:15","date_gmt":"2023-10-01T06:13:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/237check.org\/?p=2333"},"modified":"2023-10-03T06:16:10","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T06:16:10","slug":"the-contribution-of-social-media-in-facilitating-natural-disaster-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/237check.org\/2023\/10\/01\/the-contribution-of-social-media-in-facilitating-natural-disaster-management\/","title":{"rendered":"THE CONTRIBUTION OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN FACILITATING NATURAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines Natural disaster as “a sudden and terrible event in nature that usually results in serious damage and many deaths”. There are climate related disasters such as floods, drought, storms, landslides and non-climate disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis etc. When natural disasters occur, there is a need to ensure immediate response, safety as well as to prevent potential hazards or reduce the impact, this brings about the concept of disaster risk management. The article “what is disaster management? Understanding emergencies from prevention to mitigation”<\/a> Published by Tulane university-United States,(2021), opines that “disaster risk management is a process of effectively preparing for and responding to disasters. It involves strategically organizing resources to lessen the harm that disasters cause”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent times, Cameroon has been prey to several natural disasters such as floods, landslides, hitting the country from almost every corner. Some of the most affected regions are the South West, the littoral, the Far north, the center, the North West and the west regions. These natural occurrences have led to loss of lives and properties, injuries, displacement of persons and caused a set back to development. According to the United Nations, most developing countries are more vulnerable and are unprotected against natural disasters, hence it is pertinent to explore startegies to ameliorate the situation, enhance mechanisms that have proven beneficial, and work on those lacking. The focal point of this report is to highlight an aspect of disaster management in Cameroon that has been useful which is social media. Social media is very instrumental in creating awareness and countering disinformation during and after disasters. Hence, this report seeks to establish the resourcefullness of social media in natural disaster management in Cameroon, with reference to the recent floods that occured in Limbe in the months of June, July, August 2023, the Buea town flood of 18 March 2023 and the landslides at the tiko-Douala stretch of road in July 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Body<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When disasters occur, communities have to respond and adapt to the situation, at thesame time prepare for and prevent potential hazards. This brings about two aspect of disaster management, disaster adaptation and prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n