Disaster Communications
Module 6: Effective Oral Communication
Exercise: Oral Communication
Exercise Instructions
Within your group review the document carefully and develop a press release. Remember to
carefully discuss and think about:
• Who is your audience?
• What are your key talking points?
• What is your message?
Your group will have 30 minutes to complete this task. At the end of 30 minutes, a press
conference will be held and one person from each group will be asked to serve as the public
information officer (PIO). This PIO will have only one minute (60 seconds) to make a statement.
Make sure that you use your time wisely to ensure that your key talking points are highlighted
and that your message is effectively communicated to your audience.
Situation Report
Situation Report (SITREP) No. 3
Typhoon 08W
30 September, 2010 13:00
The Next SITREP will be published 15 July, 2010 18:00.
Overview
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This situation report is based on the information received from the United Nations
Resident Coordinator’s office in Hanoi, OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
(ROAP) in Bangkok and the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) of Vietnam.
Storm surge broke several sea dykes in Nam Dinh and Thanh Hoa province despite great
local preventative efforts. Before the dykes broke, the second evacuation of people took
place, increasing the total number of evacuated people to nearly 600,000.
The seawater penetrated inland to 3-4 km in coastal provinces and following flash floods
in the area have destroyed at least 1,194 houses and damaged 11,576 houses. More
than 130,000 ha of rice fields have been submerged, most of which was ready for
harvest.
Several villages remain inaccessible due to damaged roads and bridges, and some
telephone lines are down. Together with severe damage to transport, power supply,
education and health facilities, the total damage estimated is VND 83 billion
(approximately USD 5.3 million).
Evacuated people cannot return home, as there is no water supply, electricity or food.
Almost 200,000 people are facing a food shortage. In most areas, drinking water is not
available, as most of the wells have been affected by salt water.
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Situation
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On 26 September, Typhoon 08W affected all coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to
Quang Nam and Da Nang. By 27 September the wind speed reached 133 km/h affecting
provinces from Hai Phong to Thanh. A total of 59 people have reportedly died and more
than 13 people have been injured by winds and rains brought by the typhoon. The total
death toll by 08W in the Philippines, China and Vietnam has reached at least 90.
Storm surge broke several sea dykes in Nam Dinh and Thanh Hoa province despite great
local preventative efforts. Before the dykes broke, the second evacuation of people took
place, increasing the total number of evacuated people to nearly 600,000.
The seawater penetrated inland to 3-4 km in coastal provinces and following flash floods
in the areas have destroyed at least 1,194 houses and damaged 11,576 houses. More
than 130,000 ha of rice fields have been submerged, most of which was due for harvest.
Several villages remain inaccessible due to damaged roads and bridges, and some
telephone lines are down. Together with severe damage to transport, power supply,
education and health facilities, the total damage estimated is VND 83 billion
(approximately USD 5.3 million).
Evacuated people cannot return home, as there is no water supply, electricity or food.
Almost 200,000 people are facing a food shortage. In most areas, drinking water is not
available, as most of the wells have been affected by salt water.
National Response
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The Government welcomes international assistance for relief and recovery efforts.
The National Red Cross has provided VND 100 million and 900 boxes of household kits
to Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh and Thai Binh provinces.
Provincial and local governments have been providing relief and food to people and
have devoted human and financial resources to ensure the safety of people and the
security of dykes during the storm.
Needs
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A joint assessment mission comprised of the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP), the United Nations Children’s fund (UNICEF), International Red Cross and Red
Crescent (IFRC), OXFAM-Great Britain and representatives from the Central Committee
for Flood and Storm Control (CCFSC) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fielded to the
three most affected provinces of Thana Hoa, Ninh Binh and Nam Dinh from 28 to 29
September. The rapid assessment focused on immediate humanitarian needs to restore
livelihoods.
From the findings of the joint mission, formal request for international support is
forthcoming. The following are of high priority during this emergency phase and early
recovery phase:
o Food
o Drinking water
o Medicines to prevent outbreak of post-storm diseases and water purifications
tablets.
o Educational materials (books, notebook etc.) and repair of classrooms/schools
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Household kits, mosquito nets, clothes.
Map of Affected Provinces
Source: Relief Web
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