A IMPORTÂNCIA DA COMUNICAÇÃO DO RISCO DE DESASTRES NATURAIS: UM OLHAR SOBRE A REALIDADE MOÇAMBICANA

Abstract

Considering the situations experienced in the face of natural disasters and the insecurity generated by risk factors in Mozambique, this article seeks to answer the question: What is the importance of risk communication in the management of natural disasters in Mozambique? The risk of natural disasters is discussed as one of the main concerns of institutions linked to natural disaster management, risk management and the relationship with communication for the understanding of risk communication. Therefore, the general objective is to analyze how natural disaster risk communication practices reveal themselves in the Mozambican context, including the construction, implementation and importance of information and communication systems on natural disaster risk in Mozambique. To materialize the objectives, a qualitative approach was chosen, applying the literature review method of the scientific literature on risks, vulnerability, natural disasters, risk communication, including research in documents dealing with matters related to natural disaster management in the Republic of Mozambique. Once the work has been carried out, the results show that communication of the risk of natural disasters can be done in writing (newspapers, letters, reports, pamphlets, etc.); verbal (conversations, presentations, debates, etc.) or non-verbal/visual (films, graphics, sign language, facial expressions, among others). Communication channels are either direct (face-to-face) or indirect (mediated) and Geographic Information Systems are currently used in the communication of disaster risk. Mozambique has a natural disaster risk communication system run by the National Institute of Risk of Disaster Management (INGD), which works in conjunction with the National Institute of Meteorology, local communities, and the media. The communication of natural disaster risk today assumes an important role in the management of natural disasters with various purposes and functions throughout the disaster cycle, including prevention/preparation, warning, intervention, and recovery and, ideally, should cover all management processes from the formulation of knowledge to the decision and implementation of actions.