171 Bridging the gap: enhancing emergency communication for refugees and migrants in Australia in relation to climate-related disasters?

Abstract OP 24: Refugees and Asylum Seekers 2, B210 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 14:45 - 15:45 The increased frequency and intensity of floods, fires and storms that are a consequence of climate change impact on everyone. However, refugees, migrants and asylum seekers are at particular risk of missing out on important information that can help to keep them safe in an emergency. This paper reports on preliminary findings aimed at better understanding and responding to the risk of exclusion experienced by migrant and refugee communities across Australia. We report on recent qualitative interview-based research conducted with people from migrant and refugee backgrounds living in regional Australia, an area where floods, fires, storms and extreme heat require timely and accurate communication to ensure their health, safety and wellbeing. Participants shared their experiences of climate-related emergencies, highlighting challenges in accessing timely and accurate information. Participants reported exclusion from emergency messaging and identified a number of barriers that inhibited their access to good quality, trusted information and sources in an emergency. These include language differences, cultural differences, and reliance by authorities on relatively inaccessible communication modes and platforms. Participants also shared their existing strategies and responses for coping with exclusion, and provided valuable suggestions for enhancing inclusion in emergency communication. These strategies included leveraging existing community networks and practices as well as the innovative use of digital communication tools. We conclude by reflecting on ways emergency authorities can collaborate with migrant and refugee communities and leaders to ensure their effective inclusion in the development and dissemination of emergency information amongst the culturally and linguistically diverse communities This has relevance for similar challenges in the growing number of multilingual regional communities encountering climate related public health emergencies across the world.