Empowering SIDS media for disaster resilience and climate action
In the face of increasing extreme weather events and environmental degradation, the impact of media in disaster preparedness and response is more critical than ever. This is especially true for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), where broadcast media are often the primary source of news and information.
Media in SIDS are essential for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). They deliver early warnings, educate the public on environmental issues and disaster risks, foster public debates around climate change, and ensure that accurate information reaches even the most remote communities in emergencies. They can fulfill these functions when independent and equipped with adequate competencies and resources.
UNESCO takes a multifaceted approach to strengthening media institutions in SIDS, in order that media as institutions are better prepared for potential disasters and better contribute to the disaster resilience of communities through their work.
Key actions in this area encompass:
- Reinforcing programming related to climate change, natural hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction
- Supporting media in developing institutional plans and strategies on disaster readiness and response.
- Increasing access to and use of digital tools in news gathering and production.
- Strengthening editorial capabilities in investigative reporting and solutions journalism on environmental issues.
- Enhancing the agile broadcasting capacity of SIDS media during crises, such as through mobile radio broadcasting equipment.
"UNESCO is committed to supporting SIDS through initiatives that harness the power of media, technology, and community engagement to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience."
In 2023, UNESCO’s General Conference adopted the . The framework aims to promote sustainable development and building resilience in these climate change-vulnerable Member States, within the Organization’s mandate, including media development.
As part of the Accelerator Programme 4 of the Operational Strategy for SIDS, UNESCO helps SIDS move from vulnerability to resilience by empowering media institutions. Initiatives in this area aim to ensure that media have enabling conditions and enhanced capacities to report on natural hazards and disaster risks, and to function as key actors in disaster risk reduction, including early warning systems.
Media are fundamental in disaster risk reduction, through their core functions to inform, educate, and alert.
"Media are fundamental in disaster risk reduction, through their core functions to inform, educate, and alert."
As part of the Accelerator Programme 4 of the Operational Strategy for SIDS, UNESCO helps SIDS move from vulnerability to resilience by empowering media institutions. Initiatives in this area aim to ensure that media have enabling conditions and enhanced capacities to report on natural hazards and disaster risks, and to function as key actors in disaster risk reduction, including early warning systems.
Since 2022, 91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ assisted 10 media organizations across eight SIDS – including The Bahamas, Fiji, Haiti, Marshall Islands, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Timor-Leste, and Tuvalu – in disaster readiness and maintaining broadcasts during crises.
In 2024 and 2025, UNESCO is expanding its support to SIDS in this area by strengthening media capabilities in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Timor-Leste.
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