APDIP e-Note 16 / 2007
Author: Chanuka Wattegamma, 2007
Looking at the events of the last few years it is evident that by no means natural or man-made disasters can be fully prevented. Only the loss caused by these events can be prevented.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be used to minimize this impact in many ways. ICT is used in almost all phases of the disaster management process. In the disaster mitigation and preparedness process, ICT is widely used to create early warning systems.
An early warning system may use more than one ICT media in parallel and these can be either traditional (radio, television, telephone) or modern (SMS, cell broadcasting, Internet). As demonstrated by AlertNet, on-line media play an important role too.
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, special software packages built for the purpose can be used for activities like registering missing persons, administrating on-line request management databases and keeping track of relief organizations or camps of displaced persons. In addition, geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing software are being effectively used in all phases of disaster management.
It is essential that ICT is given its due place in disaster management but it should also not be taken as panacea for all ills. ICT, like any other tool, can deliver its best when the other necessary ingredients are in place
Topics covered in the APDIP e-Note include:
- Why Disaster Management?
- Disaster Management and the MDGs
- Where ICT Fits In?
- ICT for Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness
- Role of On-line Media in Disaster Management
- ICT for Disaster Response and Recovery
- GIS and Remote Sensing in Disaster Management
- Conclusion
- Key Institutions in Disaster Management
- Additional Reading
