We had scheduled to carry out the Pictograph comprehensibility and appropriateness tests with Sarvodaya Communities during the last week of May, 2017. Unfortunately, the low-literate and functionally-illiterate communities, in Colombo and Ratnapura Districts, who took part in the previous exercise, were severely affected by the flash floods from the unpredicted heavy rains.

Our ground partner, Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, was deeply involved in responding to the Sri Lanka Island-wide floods. It was unethical for us to ask the effected communities to engage in our work. However, they were keen in moving forward on the work, since they found it to be quite valuable for empowering them with their disaster information communication needs.

Comprehension and appropriateness test exercises were carried during the month of July. Approximately 60 participants took part in the exercises. They were presented with the hydro-meteorological event related pictograph variations. We will share results and findings shortly.