Principles for collaborative risk communication: Reducing landslide losses in Puerto Rico

Area of Science:

• Risk Communication
• Natural Hazards
• Emergency Management

Background:

• Landslides pose significant threats in Puerto Rico, with over 70,000 triggered by Hurricane María in 2017.
• Local professionals requested accessible landslide education and outreach materials following the disaster.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel collaborative risk communication framework tailored to Puerto Rico's needs.
• To detail the principles and process for developing a Landslide Guide for Residents.

Main Methods:

• Established a core team of government and university partners.
• Expanded collaboration with a diverse network of hazards professionals.
• Applied principles of cultural competence, ethical engagement, and inclusive decision-making.

Main Results:

• Developed a Spanish- and English-language Landslide Guide for Residents.
• Demonstrated an iterative, interdisciplinary process for hazard information coproduction.
• Identified transferable principles for various natural and human-caused hazards.

Conclusions:

• The collaborative risk communication framework effectively addresses specific hazard education needs.
• The principles and process can guide future partnerships for science outreach tools.
• This approach is adaptable to diverse geographic and cultural contexts for enhanced disaster preparedness.