Barbados, like many Caribbean islands, is highly vulnerable to a range of natural hazards and the growing impacts of climate change. With 25% of its population and most tourism locations situated in coastal areas, the country has historically been impacted by tropical cyclones and their associated effects, such as flooding and storm surges.

Annually, from June 1 to November 30, residents of Barbados brace for the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Preparation for hurricanes includes making homes secure, assembling an emergency kit, making an emergency plan with family and neighbours, and understanding National Weather Service alerts on TV, among other important actions.

Given this, urgent efforts are needed to inform vulnerable groups in Barbados with essential 'how-to-prepare' content for hurricane season. To address this challenge, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) supported the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) in Barbados. In partnership with Pacifico, a risk communications agency, a series of awareness-raising videos focused on improving hurricane preparedness messages for the community during the 2023 hurricane season were created.

The emphasis was on accurately representing vulnerable groups in these messages for inclusivity. Here are four key lessons learned:

An Inclusive Approach to Hurricane Preparedness

The focus was on identifying the vulnerable populations for DEM outreach by understanding their specific information needs and conditions. Collaborating with various civil society sectors was crucial to address early preparedness messages and prioritize vulnerable groups in message creation.

Children, seniors, and people with disabilities were identified as the main vulnerable groups and tailored messages were crafted to meet their specific needs for the hurricane season. Videos provided essential preparedness information with practical steps and prevention tips, customised for each audience.

• To address safety and reinforce homes against hurricanes, the authoritative perspective of a fire officer was chosen, recognized as an expert in community safety.

• Preparation messages for the elderly during hurricane season were improved by providing clear steps, essential contacts, and customized emergency kit guidance.

• For people with disabilities, especially the deaf community, an influencer shared prevention messages and ways to communicate with the DEM to access more information using sign language.

• The topic of disabilities and mobility was addressed by informing about the main prevention tips that should be considered by a person in a wheelchair to prepare for the hurricane season.

• The awareness of children was addressed through family preparation messages and in learning the main colour alerts issued by the Barbados Met Office to incorporate them into the family emergency plan.

Engaging Local Talent to Maximise Reach and Help Build Trust

Producing with local talents in familiar settings significantly helps building trust in the disseminated messages. Each video was approached differently, and local influencers with prominent social roles were contacted, such as a fire officer from the fire station, a meteorologist who educated a group of children about the work done at the weather station, an expert in eldercare, and two individuals with disabilities who shared their experiences on how to prepare for the hurricane season.

Making Preparedness Information Accessible to All

Efforts aimed to boost inclusivity due to low preparedness plans among individuals with disabilities, as shown in the 2023 UNDRR-led Global Survey Report. It found that 84% of surveyed individuals with disabilities lacked personal disaster preparedness plans.

To enhance preparedness for people with disabilities, the videos were made more accessible by incorporating subtitles and audio. Additionally, a specific video included sign language interpretation, aligning with global recommendations for better preparedness measures for this vulnerable group. Each video featured a QR code directing viewers to the official DEM page for crucial prevention information and shelter lists. Vital information such as DEM emergency numbers was also included.

Together We Get Prepared: Helping Disseminate Important Information

The hurricane preparedness TV spots, broadcast on Barbados TV and shared through DEM's social media, efficiently provide crucial readiness information to a wide audience in Barbados. Collaboratively supported by various agencies like the Barbados Meteorological Service, Barbados Fire Service, National Disabilities Unit, and the Barbados Association of Retired Persons, these spots promote collective preparedness efforts.

Barbados, with IDB's support, continues working for a resilient future by innovating ways to deliver essential prevention messages, educating citizens about hurricane readiness. Ensuring the involvement of vulnerable groups in preparedness messages also leads to building a more inclusive and equitable disaster risk management.

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