Introduction

In recent years, the Asia Pacific region has experienced a spate of crises that have brought untold misery to large sections of the populace. Two types of crises have received the most attention in the region in the past few years because of their adverse impact—natural disasters (the Asian Tsunami and earthquake in Kashmir) and public health emergencies (SARS and Avian Flu).²

Although natural disasters cannot be prevented, their adverse impact can be mitigated through effective risk communication. Likewise, effective risk communication can help avert or mitigate the adverse impact of public health crises. This chapter focuses on the use of ICTs in risk communication to help avert or mitigate the adverse impact of natural disasters and public health emergencies in the Asia Pacific region.