Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management - 7th Batch

Institute of Disaster Management & Vulnerability Studies

Faculty of Social Science
University of Dhaka

Assignment

Title: Role of ICT & Challenges in Disaster Management

Date of Submission: 2 May 2015

Course Title: Disaster and Communication
Course Number: PGDDM 106

Student Name: Mohammad Ali

Student ID: PGDDM14732

Table of content
Page
Chapter 0ne:
1.1 Introduction

Information Technology in Emergency Preparedness and Response

Key Players in Disaster Warning
Channels Used for Disaster Warning
Radio and Television
Telephone (Fixed and Mobile)
Short Message Service
Cell Broadcasting
Satellite Radio
Internet/Email
Amateur and Community Radio
Sirens
GIS and Remote Sensing in Disaster Management
Planning
ICT in Disaster Risk Reduction
Mitigation
Preparedness
Online Inventory of Emergency Resources

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Chapter Two:
2.1 Statement of Problem

Critical Role of ICTs Critical Role of ICTs in Disaster Preparedness in

Disaster Preparedness
Where ICT fits in Disaster Management Where ICT fits in Disaster
Management
On-Line Media
ICTs for Disaster Response and Recovery ICTs for Disaster Response
and Recovery
Telecom/ICT Sector Issues and Challenges Telecom/ICT Sector Issues
and Challenges

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Chapter Three:
Conclusion

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Chapter One
1.1 Introduction:
The first important steps towards reducing disaster impact are to correctly analyse the potential risk and identify
measures that can prevent, mitigate or prepare for emergencies. ICT can play a significant role in highlighting
risk areas, vulnerabilities and potentially affected populations by producing geographically referenced analysis
through, for example, a geographic information system (GIS). The importance of timely disaster warning in
mitigating negative impacts can never be underestimated. For example, although damage to property cannot be
avoided, developed countries have been able to reduce loss of life due to disasters much more effectively than
their counterparts in the developing world. A key reason for this is the implementation of effective disaster
warning systems and evacuation procedures used by the developed countries, and the absence of such
measures in the developing world. In any crisis, the ability to retrieve accurate information quickly is critical to
assessing and responding to the situation.
A warning can be defined as the communication of information about a hazard or threat to a population at risk, in
order for them to take appropriate actions to mitigate any potentially negative impacts on themselves, those in
their care and their property (Samarajiva et al., 2005).
The occurrence of a hazard does not necessarily result in a disaster. While hazards cannot be avoided, their
negative impacts can be mitigated. The goal of early public warning is to ensure to the greatest extent possible
that the hazard does not become a disaster. Such warnings must be unambiguous, communicate the risks
succinctly and provide necessary guidance.
The success of a warning can be measured by the actions that it causes people to take, such as evacuation or
avoiding at-risk areas. In a disaster situation, there is no doubt that timely warnings allow people to take actions
that save lives, reduce damage to property and minimize human suffering. To facilitate an effective warning
system, there is a major need for better coordination among the early warning providers as well as those
handling logistics and raising awareness about disaster preparedness and management.
While disaster warnings are meant to be a public good, they are often most effectively delivered through
privately-owned communication networks and devices. There are many new communication technologies that
allow warning providers not only to reach the people at risk but also to personalize their warning message to a
particular situation. Opportunities are available right now to significantly reduce loss of life and potential
economic hardship if disaster warning systems can be improved.
It is important to note that disaster warning is indeed a system, not a singular technology, constituting the
identification, detection and risk assessment of the hazard, the accurate identification of the vulnerability of a
population at risk, and finally, the communication of information about the threat to the vulnerable population in
sufficient time and clarity so that they can take action to avert negative consequences. This final component
underscores the importance of education and creating awareness in the population so that they may respond
with the appropriate actions (Samarajiva et al., 2005).
This paper presents results of a pilot study examining the use of information technology to address problems
such as those described above. After reviewing the need for and importance of community-based disaster
preparedness (CBDP), a proposed information technology solution, the Community Disaster Information System
(CDIS), is presented. CDIS is designed to enhance emergency readiness through capacity assessment and
community-based partnerships. Results of a pilot study using CDIS to enhance readiness is presented. It
provides a model for using information technology to enhance partnerships between non-governmental
organization (NGO) responders and community-based suppliers and agencies, thereby strengthening CBDP.
Emergency preparedness refers to the readiness of a political jurisdiction to react constructively to threats from
the environment in a way that minimizes the negative consequences for health and safety. It results from a
process in which a community examines its susceptibility to hazards (vulnerability analysis), identifies human
material resources available to cope with these threats (capability assessment), and defines the organizational
structures by which a coordinated response is to be made (plan development) (Perry and Lindell, 2003).
Community-based disaster preparedness (CBDP) refers to a specific form of local-level capacity building and
represents increasingly important elements of vulnerability reduction and disaster management strategies. CBDP
strategies leverage the knowledge and capabilities of local community resources. Successful implementation of
CBDP requires an understanding of the communities involved (Allen, 2006). NGOs, such as American Red
Cross or Salvation Army are well-equipped to implement CBDP strategies. Furthermore, it is recognized that
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governments alone cannot achieve significant, sustainable risk reduction and that greater emphasis must be
placed upon local-level and community-based approaches supported by NGOs or other community-based
organizations (Turoff et al., 2003; Benson et al., 2001).
Information Technology in Emergency Preparedness and Response
The Internet is cited frequently as an important component for information-sharing during the emergency phase
of disasters. Examples include the Internet as a communications tool for providing improved access to literature
on natural hazards emergency management and its use as a real-time communications tool and for sharing
information in emergencies (Jefferson, 2006; Chan, et al., 2004; Telleen and Martin, 2002; National Research
Council, 1999; Stephenson and Anderson, 1997). While researchers expect information technology to have an
increasingly important role in information-sharing during emergencies and disasters (Arnold et al., 2004) a recent
study found that 42% of local community web sites have no disaster related content and that the 2005 hurricane
disasters had little effect on municipal website content (Basolo et al., 2006). Recent experiences with the Katrina
response cite the need to strengthen information and communication technology capabilities (Shannon, 2006;
Arnone, 2005).
Key Players in Disaster Warning
The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) identifies several key parties that
play major roles in the disaster management process, especially in disaster warning (UN/ISDR, 2006).
Communities, particularly those most vulnerable, are vital to people-centred early warning systems. Their input
into system design and their ability to respond ultimately determine the extent of risk associated with natural
hazards. Communities should be aware of hazards and potential negative impacts to which they are exposed
and be able to take specific actions to minimize the threat of loss or damage. As such, the geographic location of
a community is an essential determinant in the selection of disasters on which the system should focus their
community education.For example, coastal communities need to be educated and prepared for the possibility of
a tsunami, while a mountain community can be educated to respond to an early warning system for landslides.
Local governments should have considerable knowledge of the hazards to which their communities are exposed.
They must be actively involved in the design and maintenance of early warning systems, and understand
information received to be able to advise, instruct or engage the local population in a manner that increases their
safety and reduces the potential loss of resources on which the community depends.
National governments are responsible for policies and frameworks that facilitate early warning, in addition to the
technical systems necessary for the preparation and issuance of timely and effective hazard warnings for their
respective countries. They should ensure that warnings and related responses are directed towards the most
vulnerable populations through the design of holistic disaster response and early warning frameworks that
address the specific needs of the related micro- and macro-level actors. The provision of support to local
communities and local governments to develop operational capabilities is an essential function to translate early
warning knowledge into risk reduction practices.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a critical role in raising awareness among individuals and
organizations involved in early warning and in the implementation of early warning systems, particularly at the
community level. In addition, they play an important advocacy role to help ensure that early warning stays on the
agenda of government policy makers.
The private sector has a diverse role to play in early warning, including developing early warning capabilities in
their own organizations. The private sector is also essential as they are usually better equipped to implement
ICT-based solutions. The private sector has a large untapped potential to help provide skilled services in the
form of technical manpower, know-how, or donations of goods or services (in-kind and cash), especially for the
communication, dissemination and response elements of early warning.
Channels Used for Disaster Warning
The following are some of the media both traditional and new that can be effectively used for disaster
warning purposes. Some may be more effective than the rest, depending on the nature of the disaster, the
regions affected, the socio-economic status of the affected communities and their political architecture. However,
it is not a question of one medium against another. All are means to a common goal of passing along disaster
warnings as quickly and as accurately as possible. Any one or combination of the following media can be used
for that purpose.
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Radio and Television

Considered the most traditional electronic media used for disaster warning, radio and television have a valid use.
The effectiveness of these two media is high because even in developing countries and rural environments
where the tele-density is relatively low, they can be used to spread a warning quickly to a broad population.The
only possible drawback of these two media is that their effectiveness is significantly reduced at night, when they
are normally switched off. A study on media, perception and disaster-related behaviour in Bangladesh revealed
that early, easily understandable and language-appropriate warning dissemination through radio can reduce the
potential death toll of catastrophic cyclone and tidal bore. The study, conducted by the Forum for Development,
Journalism and Communication Studies, recommended that relevant authorities develop innovative warning
signal systems and take necessary steps to disseminate the warning in easily understood language through
radio at least two days before a cyclone hits, hence mitigating the loss of lives and property every year in
Bangladesh. Mohammad Sahid Ullah, the Chittagong University professor who led the study, suggests that part
of the process is increasing public confidence in broadcast media since self-evacuation and the poor quality of
shelters are the major causes of death (Sahid Ullah, 2003).
Telephone (Fixed and Mobile)
Telephones can play an important role in warning communities about the impending danger of a disaster.There
were many examples of how simple phone warnings saved many lives in South Asian countries during the 2004
tsunami. Perhaps the most famous was an incident that occurred in one small coastal village of Nallavadu in
Pondicherry, India. A timely telephone call warning about the impending tsunami was said to have saved the
villages entire population of 3,600 inhabitants, as well as those of three neighbouring villages. Villagers of
Nallavadu were involved in the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundations Information Village Research Project.
Vijayakumar, a former project volunteer, was working in Singapore and heard a tsunami alert issued there. He
immediately phoned the research centre in Nallavadu, which issued an alert. His quick thinking, followed by swift
and coordinated action, led to the evacuation of the four villages before the tsunami hit the coast (Subramanian,
2005). In some countries, mechanisms called telephone trees are used to warn communities of impending
dangers. An individual represents a node in a telephone tree. When that individual receives a warning message
(either through phone or by other means), s/he is supposed to make a pre-determined number of phone calls
(usually four or five) to others in a pre-prepared list. This arrangement not only ensures the timely delivery of the
warning message, but also ensures the minimum duplication of efforts. However, there are two drawbacks to
using telephones for disaster warning.
Short Message Service
Short message service (SMS) is a service available on most digital mobile phones that permits the sending of
short messages (also known as text messages, SMSes, texts or txts) between mobile phones, other
handheld devices and even landline telephones. During the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster in the US, many
residents of affected coastal areas were unable to make contact with relatives and friends using traditional
landline phones. However, they could communicate with each other via SMS more easily when the network was
functional. This is because SMS works on a different band and can be sent or received even when phone lines
are congested. SMS also has another advantage over voice calls in that one message can be sent to a group
simultaneously.
Cell Broadcasting
Most of today's wireless systems support a feature called cell broadcasting. A public warning message in text
can be sent to the screens of all mobile devices with such capability in any group of cells of any size, ranging
from one single cell (about 8 kilometres across) to the whole country if necessary. CDMA, D-AMPS, GSM and
UMTS phones have this capability. There are four important points to recall about the use of cell broadcasting for
emergency purposes:
There is no additional cost to implement cell broadcasting. It is already resident in most network infrastructure
and in the phones, so there is no need to build any towers, lay any cable, write any software or replace handsets.
It is not affected by traffic load; therefore it will be of use during a disaster, when load spikes tend to crash
networks, as the London bombings in 2005 showed. Also, cell broadcasting does not cause any significant load
of its own, so it would not add to congestion.
Cell broadcasting is geo-scalable, so a message can reach hundreds of millions of people across continents
within a minute.
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It is geo-specific, so that government disaster managers can avoid panic and road jamming by telling each
neighbourhood specifically if they should evacuate or stay put.
Satellite Radio
A satellite radio or subscription radio is a digital radio that receives signals broadcast by communications
satellite, which covers a much wider geographical range than terrestrial radio signals. Satellite radio functions
anywhere there is line of sight between the antenna and the satellite, given there are no major obstructions such
as tunnels or buildings.Satellite radio audiences can follow a single channel regardless of location within a given
range. Satellite radio can play a key role during both disaster warning and disaster recovery phases. Its key
advantage is the ability to work even outside of areas not covered by normal radio channels. Satellite radios can
also be of help when the transmission towers of the normal radio station are damaged in a disaster.
Internet/Email
The role Internet, email and instant messages can play in disaster warning entirely depends on their penetration
within a community and usage by professionals such as first responders, coordinating bodies, etc. While these
media can play a prominent role in a developed country, where nearly half of all homes and almost all offices
have Internet connections, this is not the case in the developing world. In many developing countries, less than 5
percent of the population uses the Internet and even those who are users do not use it on a regular basis. In
such a situation, it is difficult to expect Internet and email to play any critical role. In spite of that drawback, many
disaster-related activities are already underway within the Internet community. For example, a new proposal for
using the Internet to quickly warn large numbers of people of impending emergencies is currently being drafted
by the Internet Engineering Task Force.
Amateur and Community Radio
For almost a century, amateur radio (also known as ham radio) operators have assisted their communities and
countries during disasters by providing reliable communications to disaster relief organizations at a moments
notice especially when traditional communications infrastructure breaks down. In such a situation, amateur
radio operators transmit emergency messages on voice mode about the well-being of survivors and information
on casualties to friends and relatives. As was evident during the Indian Ocean tsunami that destroyed electricity
and communications infrastructure in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, amateur radio operators were the
critical link between the islands and the Indian mainland and helped in the coordination of rescue and relief
operations.
Sirens
Though not necessarily an ICT-based solution, sirens can be used in tandem with other ICT media for final,
localized delivery. The strengths of each medium and the challenges in using them are summarized in Table 3.
GIS and Remote Sensing in Disaster Management
GIS can be loosely defined as a system of hardware and software used for storage, retrieval, mapping and
analysis of geographic data. Spatial features are stored in a coordinate system (latitude, longitude, state, plane,
etc.) that references a particular place on the earth. Descriptive attributes in tabular form are associated with
spatial features. Spatial data and associated attributes in the same coordinate system can then be layered
together for mapping and analysis. GIS can be used for scientific investigations, resource management and
development planning.
Remote sensing is the measurement or acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon by a recording
device that is not in physical or intimate contact with the object. In practice, remote sensing is the remote
utilization (as from aircraft, spacecraft, satellite or ship) of any device for gathering information about the
environment. Thus, an aircraft taking photographs, earth observation and weather satellites, monitoring of a
foetus in the womb via ultrasound, and space probes are all examples of remote sensing. In modern usage, the
term generally refers to techniques involving the use of instruments aboard aircraft and spacecraft. As disaster
management work usually involves a large number of different agencies working in different areas, the need for
detailed geographical information in order to make critical decisions is high.

Planning
Locating and identifying potential problems is a core requirement in disaster management. GIS can be used
effectively to achieve this objective. Using a GIS, it is possible to pinpoint hazard trends and start to evaluate the
consequences of potential emergencies or disasters. When hazards are viewed with other map data, such as
buildings, residential areas, rivers and waterways, streets, pipelines, power lines, storage facilities, forests, etc.,
disaster management officials can formulate mitigation, preparedness, response and possible recovery needs.
Information derived from remote sensing and satellite imagery plays an important role in disaster management
and crisis prevention. Their effective application depends not solely on technical specifications, but is influenced
by factors such as data collection, processing and distribution, capacity building, institutional development and
information sharing. Earth observation satellites could be used to view the same area over long periods of time
and, as a result, make it possible to monitor environmental change, human impact and natural processes. This
would facilitate scientists and planners in creating models that would simulate trends observed in the past,
present and also assist with projections for the future.
ICT in Disaster Risk Reduction
With advancement in Information & Communication Technology in the form of Internet, GIS, Remote Sensing,
satellite-based communication links; it can help a great deal in planning and implementation of disaster risk
reduction measures. These technologies have been playing a major role in designing early warning systems,
catalyzing the process of preparedness, response and mitigation. ICT tools are also being widely used to build
knowledge warehouses using internet and data warehousing techniques. These knowledge warehouses can
facilitate planning & policy decisions for preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation at all levels. Similarly,
GIS-based systems improve the quality of analysis of hazard vulnerability and capacity assessments, guide
development planning and assist planners in the selection of mitigation measures. Communication systems have
also become indispensable for providing emergency communication and timely relief and response measures.
Mitigation
After potential emergency situations are identified, mitigation needs can be addressed. This process involves
analysing the developments in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, evaluating the damage and determining
what facilities are required to be reinforced for construction or relocation purposes.Mitigation may also include
implementing legislation that prevents building structures in areas prone to earthquake, flood or tsunami. Other
mitigation approaches may target fire-safe roofing materials in wildfire hazard areas. Utilizing existing databases
linked to geographic features in GIS makes the task of monitoring these possible.
Preparedness
During the preparedness and response phases, GIS can accurately support better response planning in areas
such as determining evacuation routes or locating vulnerable infrastructure and vital lifelines, etc. It also supports
logistical planning to be able to provide relief supplies by displaying previously available information on roads,
bridges, airports, railway and port conditions and limitations. Apart from this, activities such as evacuee camp
planning can also be done using GIS.
GIS can also provide answers to some of the questions important to disaster management officers, such as the
exact location of the fire stations if a five-minute response time is expected or the number and locations of
paramedic units required in a specific emergency. Based on the information provided by GIS, it is also possible
to estimate what quantity of food supplies, bed space, clothes and medicine will be required at each shelter
based on the number of expected evacuees. In addition, GIS can display real-time monitoring for emergency
early warning. Remote weather stations can provide current weather indexes based on location and surrounding
areas. Wind direction, temperature and relative humidity can be displayed by the reporting weather station. Wind
information is vital in predicting the movement of a chemical cloud release or anticipating the direction of wildfire
spread upon early report. Earth movements (earthquake), reservoir level at dam sights, radiation monitors, etc.
can all be monitored and displayed by location in GIS. If necessary, this type of information and geographic
display can be delivered over the Internet to the public.
Online Inventory of Emergency Resources
It has been observed that a comprehensive database of disaster management related inventory and organized
information dissemination system on availability of specialized resources is very essential for mobilizing the
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specialized equipment and skilled human resources to respond immediately during disaster. Lack of adequate
information about availability has hampered quick and measured response resulting in delays which could be
critical in case of sudden eventualities. Therefore, a need to prepare a database of such resources, from District
to State level was strongly felt.
When disasters strike, the disaster managers at the District/State level respond with the resources at their
command. While the Disaster Manager (District Magistrate/Collector) is generally aware of the resources at his
command within the District, he may not be aware of the resources available in the neighboring Districts or in the
neighboring States. The disaster manager at the State level [the Relief Commissioner] does not have an
inventory of resources available within the State. Therefore, all the resources available within the State are not
brought to bear for saving lives, and when some specialist equipment is required, there is a lack of knowledge as
to the whereabouts of the equipment either in the neighboring District or in the neighboring State. Lives can be
lost because of such delays or lack of required resources.

Chapter Two
2.1 Statement of Problem:
There is an evident need for more timely, accurate and effective weather forecasting mechanisms and processes
in Bangladesh. This has been recognized by Bangladesh authorities, international institutions and the research
community for many years and as a result has seen a great deal of investment in these areas. However, there
are a number of issues with regard to forecasting that still need to be addressed.
The present cyclone forecasting system lacks accuracy for storm surge forecasting. The system can be improved
by predicting storm surge using high performance computation facilities. Using such improved facilities, it is
possible to generate storm surge information well before cyclone. In order to achieve further improvements in
analysis, information dissemination/communication, forecasting and, ultimately, on-ground outcomes, it is also
essential to hire experts to work full- time at BMD. Additionally, Government should encourage and fund research
on numerical weather predictions and storm surge predictions though various national centers, NGOs and
universities.
Telecommunications and ICTs in Disaster Mitigation and Telecommunications and ICTs in Disaster Mitigation
and Management Management
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can be used to minimize the impact of disasters 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 (EWS) 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.
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.
Disaster management (also called disaster risk management) is the discipline that involves preparing, warning,
supporting and rebuilding societies when natural or manmade disasters occur.
It is the continuous process by which all individuals, groups and communities manage hazards in an effort to
avoid or minimize the impact of disasters resulting from hazards.
Effective disaster management relies on thorough integration of emergency plans at all levels of government
and non-government involvement.
Activities at each level (individual, group, community) affect the other levels.
Critical Role of ICTs Critical Role of ICTs in Disaster Preparedness in Disaster Preparedness
Means for communication of information
Critical in disaster preparedness and reducing the loss of life and property
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.
"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, 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.
Where ICT fits in Disaster Management Where ICT fits in Disaster Management
Mitigation - includes any activities that prevent a disaster, reduce the chance of a disaster happening, or reduce
the damaging effects of unavoidable disasters.
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 Preparedness - includes plans or preparations made to save lives or property, and to help the response and
rescue service operations.
Response - includes actions taken to save lives and prevent property damage, and to preserve the environment
during emergencies or disasters. The response phase is the implementation of action plans.
Recovery - includes actions that assist a community to return to a sense of normalcy after a disaster.
These four phases usually These four phases usually overlap. ICT is be overlap. ICT is being used in all the
phases, but the usage phases, but the usage is more apparent in some is more apparent in some phases than in
the others.
On-Line Media
-Reuters AlertNet is a good example of an ICT/media initiative that contributes towards early disaster warning
and management, at an international level. AlertNet started in 1997 by Reuters Foundation - an educational and
humanitarian trust to place Reuters' core skills of speed, accuracy and freedom from bias at the service
of the humanitarian community.
-It is a humanitarian news network based on a popular website that aims to keep relief professionals and the
wider public up-to-date on humanitarian crises around the globe. (AlertNet, 2007)
- AlterNet has been in operation for more than a decade now. It was born in the aftermath of the Rwanda crisis of
1994, when the Reuters Foundation became interested in media reports of poor coordination between
emergency relief charities on the ground. Reuters Foundation surveyed charities to determine what could be
done to remedy this.
-AlertNet now attracts more than three million users a year, it has a network of four hundred contributing
humanitarian organizations and its weekly email digest is received by more than 17,000 readers.
(http://www.alertnet.org)
ICTs for Disaster Response and Recovery ICTs for Disaster Response and Recovery
-The most difficult period of a disaster is the immediate aftermath.
-This period calls for prompt action, within an exceptionally short period of time. In the aftermath of any disaster,
a significant number of individuals will be injured and/or displaced.
-Many of them might still be living with the trauma they have encountered, including loss of loved ones.
-Affected individuals might also be without food or other essential items.
-They might be waiting in temporary shelters, with no idea of what to do next. Some might need immediate
medical attention, while the disaster aftermath environment also creates ideal breeding grounds for possible
epidemics.
-ICT can play a key role in such an environment in managing the available resources.
- A good example of this is Sahana, a free and open source software (FOSS)-based disaster management
system that grew out of the events during the 2004 Asian tsunami disaster.
- This system was developed in Sri Lanka - one of the countries hardest hit by the tsunami - by a team of ICT
volunteers to help track families and coordinate work among relief organizations during and after the tsunami
disaster.
- Subsequently, Sahana has been deployed to manage the earthquake disaster in Northern Pakistan (2005), the
Guinsaugon landslide in the Philippines (2006) and the earthquake in Yogjakarta, Indonesia (2006).
Telecom/ICT Sector Issues and Challenges Telecom/ICT Sector Issues and Challenges
Standardization of critical infrastructure and protection across all levels
Development of common and agreed protocols for the sharing of information across critical infrastructure at the
appropriate times during a disaster
Lack of Telecommunications /ICT infrastructure

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Chapter Three
Conclusion
Information and Communication Technologies in form of Internet, GIS, Remote Sensing, Satellite communication
etc. are indispensable in planning and successful implementation of most Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives.
However, the potential of most advanced technologies is required to be harnessed in early warning,
preparedness and response systems along with adequate emphasis on building human capacities to use these
tools and technologies.
To reach its goal disaster management needs to take into account the divergence between media coverage,
audience interests, and information necessary for public safety. The mass media have their own logic; they
foremost address the general public, not only people directly affected by the disaster, and want to attract
audiences for advertisers. This may lead to coverage of disasters that is not necessary aligned with the interests
of disaster agencies and the general goal to reduce risk. Perhaps the use of ICT technologies, and especially the
internet, can compensate for the mass medias shortcomings. On the one hand, direct ICT communication by
disaster agencies can bypass the traditional media and journalistic production logics that may be a hindrance to
effective communication. New electronic networks allow alternative structures, which work quite differently
to the one-to-many nature of traditional mass media system and allow disaster agencies to spread specific
information to the affected people.
On the other, the reach of new media technologies and the use of these channels by the general and affected
public in disaster situations seem to be the greatest obstacles of such communication strategies. Traditional
media still are the most used and most trusted information sources in a crisis.
Disaster prevention agencies must take these factors into account when planning their communication
strategies. Concerning the different stages of communication, ICT may be of specific use in the pre-event
communication to raise public awareness about risks and motivate mitigating behaviour. As suggest by the case
study the low perceived risk by people who are under threat by future floods seems to be related to existing
knowledge-gaps about actual risks and this, in turn, might be affected not only but also by the tabloidization of
media coverage. Technical advancements and ICT can provide the disaster agencies with the power to take
necessary steps to improve risk awareness by the public and motivate individuals to engage in preventative
behaviour though improved information. This can happen by way of providing valuable information, establishing
spe- cial forums or online communities where experts share their own experiences with floods, but also through
playful interactions, free online learning programmes for children as well as for adults etc. The possibility of
interactive elements offers many opportunities for disaster communication, such as the integration of information
provided by lay people or the direct reaction to public concerns. However, risk communication must not focus
solely on pre-event information and early warning technology. Trustworthy and reliable information is crucial in
disaster situations. Here the internet may have limitations as it offers a multitude of different information,
perception and judgments and is as yet not regarded as a generally credible information source by the public. In
order to make informed choices between media sources, media and information literacy skills are required and
the internet services of official actors need to be promoted more widely to the public. Generally, agencies need to
attend to the specific user habits, differences of tradition, culture and access, as well as media regulations so
that communication can be effective. Developing capabilities to reach the majority of the population in a timely
way and with the right information before, during, and in the aftermath of disaster, is in itself a challenge. The
constantly changing media environment, the new possibilities and challenges of ICT, and the changing
journalistic routines add increasing demands on disaster agencies. Handling these challenges is the key to future
successes in risk reduction. Web-based technologies must therefore be understood within the broader social
context of how they function in everyday life. It is hoped that this chapter will be helpful in prompting further
research in this field, highlighting the practical implications, and most of all that this will be useful in generating
further interest in this fascinating and important field.

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