Crisis Communication Strategies During the Covid-19 Pandemic the Case of Ethiopian National Association of the Blind (Enab)
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Date
2021-10
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AAU
Abstract
The main objective of the study was to assess "Crisis Communication Strategies During The Covid-19 Pandemic The Case Of Ethiopian National Association of The Blind (ENAB)". The study examined the participation of blind members in ENAB for their day to day practices of life. The study assessed how ENAB is communicating with blinds in their ways of life as the organization represents blind citizens in the country. The study also have seen the information sharing process, opportunities and challenges for blind members in their ENAB experience. Data was collected using mixed (qualitative and quantitative) methods. Questionnaire, In-Depth Interview and Focus Group Discussion was deployed in the study during May 2021. The findings of the study showed that all respondents 40 (100%) and focus group participants claims there is a gap in communication of ENAB with its members in this crisis situation of COVID 19. Mainly, active members participating in ENAB compound are youths. Most of respondents 67.5%, and FGD Participant members didn’t participate in information sharing with ENAB. The study reveals that ENAB head office is the central hub of communication for blinds from all walks of blinds' life. ENAB has no clear crisis communication strategy in order to handle the corona virus crisis properly. The study shows that most of respondents and FGD participants think ENAB has communication problems and didn’t deliver necessary information to blinds. The study reveals ENAB as an organization has no crisis management teams, plan and strategy to communicate with its members appropriately. The study reveals most respondents and FGD Participants believe that ENAB didn’t perform its duties as they expect to handle corona virus crisis and other issues related to blinds that have to be addressed properly. The study reveals the current handling of corona virus crisis communication of ENAB with blinds have a negative attitude from its blind active members. Members feel doubting and ignored. The study shows respondents and FGD participants claim ENAB has messed them in an initial time of COVID 19 in Ethiopia. Respondents and FGD Participants believe that they are using other information channels to get information about COVID 19. The study revealed that members don’t trust and wait ENAB in crisis time like COVID 19. Finally, despite recognizing the necessity of ENAB for blind citizens; ENAB didn’t perform as much as needed in crisis situations. Therefore, it needs proper crisis communication strategy plan and team in crisis time. More attention and leadership quality is evaluated and necessary in crisis time. Proper supervision, evaluation and capacity building is essential from different stakeholders, ENAB members, researchers, institutions and policy makers.
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Keywords
Crisis situations, Crisis communication, Crisis communication Strategy