ICTs Play Critical Role in Disaster Preparedness
8 September 2005
 |
| The trail of destruction left by hurricane Ivan in 2004. |
In an article in 'The Commonwealth Ministers Reference Book 2005' titled 'Using ICTs to Mitigate the Impact of Disasters', Dr Spio-Garbrah says that early warning systems, television and radio broadcasting, web portals, long-distance education and telecommunications have a role to play in disaster mitigation.
"Typhoons, hurricanes, forest fires, oil spills, tornadoes, tsunamis and other natural disasters that travel distances, are by their very nature able to give advance notice to significant populations of potential victims that lie in their path. It is this group of disasters for which ICTs can be most effectively used before disaster strikes," writes Dr Spio-Garbrah.
"The need for good early warning systems and signals, and prompt and effective transmission to vulnerable populations is one of the actions that the global community needs to commit to and invest in. Investing in making such information available is a fraction of, and is worth most of, the [aid] money which is collected."
For ICTs to be used more effectively, he says a high level of co-operation, partnership and communications ability is needed from various agencies of national governments as well as provincial and local government agencies. ICT regulators, telecom suppliers, broadcasting companies and internet service providers, should also be included in the collaboration efforts.
Dr Spio-Garbrah says the use of ICTs in disaster relief can facilitate telemedicine connectivity, which involves real-time audio-visual communications between a hospital and an operating theatre, which may help save lives. Radio and television can galvanise relief efforts, while satellite communications to mobile terminals can provide vital communications link when terrestrial infrastructure is destroyed. He noted that national disaster management organisations and relief agencies may need various ICTs, including computerised databases, to search for ideal sources of immediate relief supplies such as blankets, tents, medication and food in order to bring quick help to affected communities.
The CTO plans to undertake further studies on how ICTs can help mitigate disasters; assist in the inventory of good practices; and deliver regional ICT for Disaster Mitigation workshops in the Solomon Islands for the Pacific region, Sri Lanka for Asia, Seychelles for Africa and Guyana for the Caribbean. The workshops will help participants to acquire the necessary knowledge for disaster preparedness and to capitalise on the potential for ICTs in relief and reconstruction work.
The CTO is also interested in examining regional variances in barriers to the effective use of ICTs to mitigate disasters. This includes assessing the lack of interconnection agreements between operators which affect their interconnection ability, and the extent of public-private partnerships that can be forged to encourage more effective use of ICTs in disaster mitigation.
Dr Spio-Garbrah says two ICT events taking place in November 2005 -- the World Summit on the Information Society to be held in Tunisia and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta -- will highlight how information and knowledge can advance human well-being.
For more details on the 'Commonwealth Ministers Reference Book 2005' visit the website www.thecommonwealth.org/publications.
CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 251, 7 September 2005
delicious
digg
reddit
facebook
stumbleupon