Harmful information in disasters: Risk communication for safer decisions (Guidance note)

Harmful information can undermine protective action, disrupt response operations and erode trust during disasters. This guidance note examines the drivers and impacts of harmful information in disaster contexts and explains how weaknesses in the information environment can affect how people access, understand, assess and act on information.

It provides practical approaches for government authorities, public communication professionals and disaster risk management practitioners. It covers how to prepare before a crisis, communicate under pressure and uncertainty, monitor and assess emerging harmful narratives, decide when and how to respond, coordinate escalation where necessary, and review and learn after a crisis.