Considering IHR

Components and
Information to Include
in Communications

CERC 3rd WEEK ESSAY

Ibrahim Masood Allag

 Provide 2 compelling reasons why you would withhold or modify
information during a crisis.

- Could the release of the information compromise security or an

ongoing investigation?
Will the release of the information violate privacy laws, existing
confidentiality policies, or unnecessarily violate personal privacy?
- Could the release of the information result in people being
stigmatized among different ethnic groups, or across geographical
regions?

 List at least 2 of the 3 questions you should ask when deciding

what information to include in your communication.

- Is the information needed to avoid illness, reduce the spread of a

disease, and/or help cope with the impact of an event?
- Is the information relevant to assist public health experts with their
decisions?

 Describe 2 benefits of IHR's Transparency and Coordination

components.
- Transparency ensures accountability, and both validates and
defends the legitimacy of the processes followed and decisions
made and the actors involved in the decision-making process.
- Access to information open to all potentially concerned and/or
affected by the decisions at stake and reduce the gap between
the community and the government

- Coordination works to effectively engage and coordinate public

communication with other organizations, designate roles and
responsibilities of lead and supporting agencies, coordinate

2
 messages and reduce the possibility of confusion and overlap,
and to strengthen the reach and influence of the advice provided.

- Effectively coordinating with partners, will help reduce the

possibility of confusing or inconsistent information.
Effective communication happens when your message is received
and understood.

 Describe 2 benefits of IHR's Listening and Dissemination

components.

Listening:

- People will let you know what they need, if you really listen.
- Listening ensure effective communication efforts, to provide
meaningful engagement with those affected and involved,
understand community perceptions, and adapt communication
messages, materials, and strategies.

Dissemination:

Provide rapid and effective dissemination of your information,

understand and access trusted information sources of the
population at risk, consider new media channels, maintain
existing information sharing networks, and to access traditional
and non-traditional media.

 Explain 2 benefits of communicating with affected populations

versus communicating to affected populations during a crisis.
- We communicate with people, not to people, this can help people
know what to expect and make their own decision and help them
get back in control of their lives.
- When we communicate with the people we will know their
concerns and try to adjust our strategies to better fit their needs.