Patterns of ICT usage in disaster in Samoa

TL;DR

This study examines how Samoan citizens use ICT during disasters, highlighting the dominance of traditional media and the rising role of mobile and social media in disaster communication and response.

Contribution

It replicates a 2015 study to analyze current ICT usage patterns in Samoa during disasters, emphasizing changes and continuities in information sources and trust.

Findings

Traditional broadcasting remains dominant in early warning.

Mobile and social media usage in disaster communication is increasing.

People trust official sources most during crises.

Abstract

The study discussed in this paper focuses on ICT use during disasters in Samoa and is a replicate of a study carried out in 2015. The study used a survey to explore how Samoan citizens use technology, act on different types of information, and how the information source or media affects decisions to act during a disaster. Findings revealed that traditional broadcasting were still the most prominent, most important, and still predominate in early warning and disaster response. However, there were now increasing usage of mobile and social media in disaster communications. Findings also revealed that people trust official reporters the most as source of information in times of crisis. The intent is that findings from this study can contribute to a people-centred approach to early warning and disaster providing empowerment to affected individuals to act in a timely and appropriate manner to ensure survival in times of disaster.