The Mass Media Communication system has been developed in collaboration with the NDRMMC and provides a simple and effective technology solution to prepare and warn vulnerable population group well in advance in case of disasters, hence minimizing casualties. Within minutes it can be deployed and
mass call a particular vulnerable group. Besides, valuable reports/ statistics can be retrieved showing the percentage of people who received the calls, hence showing the effectiveness of the response.
Very conclusive results have been obtained, especially in the acceptance of such new technology medium by the targeted population. It demonstrates that voice calling is an active and immediate factor to warn vulnerable groups as compared to SMS message, which is passive. Surveyed population unanimously agreed of the importance of such system and provided valuable inputs in enhancing the system
The research contribution for this project are as follows:
1. Development of a Mass Media Communication software
system to quickly disseminate audio warning messages via phone calls
2. Provides useful recommendations on how such system is to be deployed by the authorities during disaster/crisis situations.
3. Survey results on a targeted group of 212 participants with 733 voice messages being sent.
4. Gives an insight of the user behavior over such system.
Keywords
Mass media,communication,mobile voice technology,disaster,Mauritius