Multicultural resources for regional emergencies
Clear information can help people to prepare for emergencies like fires, floods and storms. An exciting new study from Burnet Institute’s Implementation Science Working Group aimed to create tailored emergency resources with multicultural communities in regional Victoria.
Burnet researchers worked with the North East Multicultural Association (NEMA) based in Wangaratta, Victoria, local emergency service providers and community members to co-design communication resources for emergencies like fires, floods and storms.
A series of videos featuring community experiences and practical tips was created to convey three key messages – connect with the community; learn about local emergencies; and start an emergency plan – translated into three languages.
“We know that effective communication is a really critical part of the emergency management response, because people need to be able to access information to take action that can potentially save their lives,” Dr Caitlin Douglass, a Burnet senior research officer, said.
“We also know that multicultural groups can face barriers to accessing this really important information.
Dr Douglass said it was important for the researchers to work in partnership with a local organisation that community members trusted. NEMA’s members are drawn from more than 90 different language groups.
“Working in partnership meant that we were able to workshop with NEMA staff and volunteers to produce results and end products that really reflected those community priorities,” Dr Douglass said.
NEMA’s Manager Community Engagement and Programs, Faryal Nawaz Khan said clear, accessible communication helps to keep everyone safe and informed, especially in isolated regional areas.
“The project showed how vital it is to build trust and deliver culturally appropriate communication year-round, not just in emergencies,” she said.
Dr Douglass said the next step will be to work with NEMA to share the videos more widely and evaluate their reach and impact on emergency preparedness.
Burnet’s Infectious Diseases Implementation Science working group is skilled at working with multicultural communities and partnering with different organisations to understand public health priorities, to explore complex topics and draw on findings to create products and programs that aim to improve health equity.
