Progress in Disaster Science (Apr 2021)
An analysis of use and effectiveness of communication channels, media and tools in post-earthquake private housing reconstruction in Nepal
Abstract
In the wake of any disaster, communication plays a significant role in attaining the objective of Build Back Better; to provide accurate and timely information to the affected communities, enhance awareness and extend outreach of authorities. Although communication channels, media and tools pave the way to eliminate information gaps at different levels of the process, not all of them work effectively. This paper explores the channels, media and tools used for communication during the reconstruction of private houses after the 2015 Gorkha earthquake in Nepal, their effectiveness in providing quality information to the beneficiaries and its correlation with reconstruction outcome of construction time period. With aid of both qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches, three target groups (beneficiary, implementation and policy levels) were surveyed. Convenience sampling method was used to collect the data of beneficiary level survey where structured telephone interview was conducted among 274 earthquake reconstruction program beneficiaries of four earthquake affected districts; Kathmandu, Dhading, Nuwakot and Dolakha. Purposive sampling method was used to collect data from implementation and policy level respondents using web based survey. Results revealed that communication channels varied differently among different target groups, based on their role in reconstruction, level of education and accessibility. Where beneficiaries perceived to have received information regarding reconstruction on time and clearly, the time taken to complete construction had significantly decreased. Thus, to increase communication and outreach, understanding the diversity of target groups at different levels and usage of multiple media tools and channels is important. Comprehensive communication strategies and programs with ample resources, especially at the local and community levels for local mass media and person-to-person information sharing is crucial to disseminate information to end-users on time. This, followed by adequate monitoring for quality assurance and credibility aids the post-disaster reconstruction of private households in an owner driven reconstruction approach.
