Annotated Bibliography
"The role of ICTs in natural disaster mitigation and disaster relief in developing countries".
By Anna Mitchinson
I have mainly focused on regions where natural disasters/hazards pose a severe threat and significantly hamper the development of the region. Two zones emphasised are the Caribbean and Asia. The former is subject to frequent cyclones/hurricanes and other severe tropical weather systems. The latter is threatened with disasters caused by flooding from excessive monsoon rain and intensified by rapid run-off caused by deforestation. Furthermore, it is a very tectonically active zone, with volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunami bringing disaster to a very extensive area, as demonstrated by the recent massive tsunami. Technology can have a profound impact on the logistics and co-ordination of aid relief, broadcast of warning systems and in other ways.
« General use of technology in the event of disasters:
1. Burke E, n.d., “Technology in the wake of a tragedy”: http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/101289/1/ [Last accessed: 20/03/2005]
A personal account with a critical view focusing on the difficulty in applying technology in such severe crisis situations as the Asian tsunami (2004). Burke stresses that many feel that real human intervention, not virtual contact, is the essential need for populations suffering from post-traumatic stress. However, there is a genuine need for the use of technology in organising and co-ordinating physical disaster relief independently of emotional comfort. He includes his personal involvement in the dissemination of information to organisations in Colombo, facilitating their aid and relief coordination. The importance of critical medium and long-term relief efforts and the use of technology in helping to work towards sustainable futures are emphasised. Mobile telephony is identified as key to local warning systems, effective, co-ordinated disaster relief (constantly updated weather and geological information provided). “Virtual” spaces for state and non-state actors allow communication and co-ordinate of their efforts. The use of digital radio provides information to help rebuild lives and create connections with others in a similar situation. Burke recognises the tsunami event as an opportunity to help re-build peaceful lives.
2. Guadrón CG, 2002/04/15, “El Salvador Earthquake: The technology helps in the disasters”: http://www.iconnect-online.org/Stories/Story.import4966 [Last accessed: 20/03/2005]
Information on disaster relief efforts and impacts of the earthquakes in El Salvador in January and February 2001, which caused the equivalent of 4 year’s regression, in development terms. This shows the use of the internet (in particular through the SIGCO project) in tracking the changing needs of populations affected by the disaster and in co-ordinating the information for relief efforts. The capability of the internet to be instantly updated helped enormously with these various relief activities.
3. The Caribbean Disaster Information Network (CARDIN- University of the West Indies), n.d. “Sustainable Initiatiatives” http://www.sustainableicts.org/cardin%20F.pdf [Last accessed 21/03/2005]
CARDIN worked in partnership with Gamos Limited, Big World, and Department for International Development (DFID), showing the importance of partnerships in successful initiatives today. The initiative has enabled communication between NGOs and other organisations. The sustainability of the initiative has been stressed and suggested as a model for future initiatives. The links with various organisations is seen as key to its success. This document is highly useful and it identifies hindrances and factors which enabled it to succeed, giving it a self-critical stance.
« Sceptical views on the use of technology in disaster mitigation and relief efforts:
4. Alexander D, 1993, “Natural Disasters”, UCL Press, London
This book emphasises the scientific processes of natural disasters, including a thorough analysis of many natural disasters, from tectonic, atmospheric and hydrological and those that occur on the land surface. There is a separate chapter which details the impacts of natural disasters, with a case study on the floods in Bangladesh. It cites Western technologies as useful, but explains that inadequate infrastructures and understanding of these systems in developing countries limit their application, usefulness and impact.
5. Blaikie P, Cannon T, Davis I and Wishner, I, 1994, “At Risk: natural hazards, people’s vulnerability, and disasters”, Routledge , London
This book is primarily concerned with the risks associated with disasters. It particularly focuses on the human factor, such as the vulnerability of communities to disasters, relief efforts and mitigation. However, it does mention the provision of technology by “outsiders” who have good intentions, but often provide inappropriate technologies which have unforeseen consequences. These could potentially impinge future efforts of the community against further disastrous events.
6. Burton I, Kates RW and White GF, 1993, “The Environment as Hazard”, (2nd Edn) The Guilford Press, New York
Burton, et al, emphasise the negative impacts of technology, claiming they can aggravate the problem of disaster management. Burton, et al, call for a greater emphasis on the social, economic, and political factors involved with hazard mitigation. The importance of technology in measuring the magnitude of an event can be useful in deciding on relevant relief.
« Disaster mitigation and prediction/warning systems:
7. “Anisha” (no surname given), (The South Asia Human Development Forum Net), 17/4/03, [no title]: http://www.hdfnet.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=message&messageID_=65398&lang=en&cat_id=289 [Last accessed 21/03/2005]
This e-mail cities case studies/organisations for the mitigation and reconstruction management of natural disaster events. Anisha emphasises the importance of “the message” rather than the medium of communication. Also, she does not support focus on ICTs in disaster management and development initiatives. Instead she calls for a variety of media to be used in conveying the vital messages.
8. Caribbean Hazard Mitigation Capacity Building Programme (CHAMP), 03/03/2005, “Hazard Mitigation Planning”: http://www.cdera.org/projects/champ/mitiplcy/mp_bkgnd.shtml [Last accessed 21/03/2005]
This organization have made bold moves in disaster mitigation in the Caribbean region through the use of GIS technologies to map and assess the vulnerability of individual areas/countries to natural hazards, and adjust their mitigation plan accordingly. The organisation also advises on policies for nation’s to use to minimise the effects of natural disasters, such as in building regulations.
9. CDERA, 22/01/2005, “Enhancing Disaster Preparedness in the Caribbean” – “Emergency Broadcast”: http://www.cdera.org/projects/dipecho/objective2.php [Last accessed 21/03/2005]
The CDERA project, connected to United Nations Educational, Scientific and cultural Organization (UNESCO) and The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) developed guidelines for broadcasting emergency information in the wake of a natural disaster. This project was created to facilitate emergency broadcasts by local media warning of imminent natural disasters; it also involved workshops with local media professionals for training purposes and to gain feedback for future initiatives. The workshops appeared to be a success due to the praise given by participants of the workshop.
10. Deo N (One World Asia), 02/02/2005, “Marching Ahead On Mission 2007”: http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/102546/1/ [Last accessed 21/03/2005]
This article makes reference to the Mission 2007, which states its aim to make “Every Village A Knowledge Centre Initiative”. Rath (Secretary General of the National Alliance) draws attention to the part played by the internet in disaster preparedness and warning. The use of radio in the dissemination of warnings is also underlined. The “Direct To Home” (DTH) initiative involving a service integrating information provision via television and radio is also mentioned, with aims to become interactive in the future, opening up endless opportunities.
11. International Coordination Group For the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific (ICGTWS), 29/12/2004,”Tsunami Warnings”: http://ioc.unesco.org/itsu/categories.php?category_no=63 [Last accessed 21/03/2005]
This is a really useful resource for finding information about imminent and past tsunamis. An innovative service I thought was particularly useful was the e-mail warning message facility which is available, for example, the Indian Ocean Tsunami Message (click on hyperlink). This can help coordinate efforts in the mitigation of Pacific Tsunamis. However, I noted that it is not regularly updated (from its last date of update) which makes me question its useage, although its “hits” statistics seem to be quite high.
12. Radford T, 18/01/05, ‘Lessons From Kobe’, The Guardian:
This article looks at how the employment of early-warning systems and effective communication could have saved many of those killed by the Asian tsunami. It cites that people, namely governments, are responsible for the inadequate funding for such projects. Technology is not blamed or held to account, rather it is endorsed and its need is given extra weight in light of the tsunami which occurred.
13. Tropical Prediction Centre, 18/03/2004, “Hurricane Preparedness Week”: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml [Last accessed 21/03/2005]
This site aims to promote awareness of how to prepare for a hurricane. It includes details of the various forms a hurricane be experienced in, such as a storm surge, high winds, tornadoes and flooding. It aims to reduce the impact of hurricanes by educating the population of affected areas.
« Case studies of the use of appropriate technologies in disaster mitigation:
14. Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG), 08/01/2004,”Disaster Reduction” : http://www.itdg.org/home_text.asp?id=disaster_reduction [Last accessed 21/03/2005]
The ITDG works in disaster reduction by encouraging the use of appropriate technologies to enable the poor to mitigate against disasters. The focus is using a community-based approach to identify local expertise in coping with disasters and combining that with appropriate technologies to improve the traditional methods’ effectiveness. Training and sharing of expertise is carried out with local organisations to help plan for disasters. Case studies used are Sri Lanka, Peru, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
15. The Communication Initiative, 18/03/2004, “Programme Experiences: The Caribbean Disaster Information Network (CARDIN)”: http://www.comminit.com/experiences/pdskdv42003/experiences-1325.html [Last accessed 21/03/2005]
This article calls attention to the role of disaster preparedness of the Caribbean community. The project actually functions using four different languages, which allows access to this information for a greater diversity and number of people. The CARDIN main site is a disaster database which has over 2000 records! Seminars are held by the organisation to promote awareness of disaster preparedness. These involve teaching schools and other institutions how to use the internet to access information resources, as well as, to find out how to be prepared for such events. It has positive results for the dissemination of information.
16. UNDP, 2003-4, “Promotion of Appropriate Housing Technologies and Opportunities for Sustainable Livelihoods in Orissa, India” [Last accessed 21/03/2005]:
http://www.undp.org.in/VRSE/TechTrnsfr/Yr%202%20Rpt%20July03-June04%20final%20-%20ODTF.pdf
This project, the “Promotion of Appropriate Housing Technologies and Opportunities for Sustainable Livelihoods in Orissa, India”, focuses on using cost effective technologies to create safer homes and environments for those living in disaster zones in India. It aims to supply a sustainable technological training program in order to create jobs and an economic stability which can be built upon and maintained.
« Emergency Disaster Relief:
17. Ayre RS, 1975, “Technical Adjustments to Natural Hazards” (US Department of Commerce) National Technical Information Service, Springfield
Although this is a very dated report, it identifies the use of technology in disaster mitigation. It highlights the importance of appropriate technologies to be used in affected regions. Ayre calls for further research into improving the equipment used during the relief effort, such as reducing the weight, making the equipment easier to use, employing the use of standardised designs and low maintenance and fuel requirements in order to minimise costs. Developments in this field have, to an extent, rendered this report obsolete but it has its merits, such as its in-depth research into natural hazards and their processes.
18. Carll E (PHD), Carvin A and Cameron D, 05/01/2005: http://mailman-new.greennet.org.uk/pipermail/telecentres/2005-January/000373.html [Last accessed: 20/03/2005]
An incisive e-mail discussion on the importance of Telecentres in disaster relief efforts. It includes input from Dr Elizabeth Carll (Chair of Media/ICT Working Group within The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies). It advocates the use of Telecentres and ICT’s in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami disaster and a list of logistical and practical methods of coping with both this and any other natural disaster.
19. Centre of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (COE – DMHA), 16/03/2005, “Information Network”: http://www.coe-dmha.org/infoman.htm [Last accessed 21/03/2005]
This has various reports associated with the use of information networks in coping in disaster situations. Details are given of the Pacific Disaster Management Information Network (PDMIN), which acts as an information broker, providing open source information to its centre staff and partners. A goal it has is “is to foster open source information exchange and sharing between civilian, government and non-governmental agencies, and military organizations”, which is ambitious and well-intentioned. Another of its aims is to facilitate the “co-ordination and execution of aid operations”.
20. Chandrapanya K, 2000, “When disaster strikes-disaster relief following the Gujarat, India, earthquake”: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1309/is_4_37/ai_74583357 [Last accessed 21/03/2005]
This site focuses on the relief efforts after Gujarat earthquake in 2000. It details how the Disaster Reduction and Recovery programme run by the United Nation Development Programme looks to support national authorities and order through technological support in order to re-establish a coherent infrastructure.
21. Oxfam GB, 08/01/2005, “Oxfam flies water and sanitation equipment to Indonesia”: http://www.oneworld.net/external/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oxfam.org.uk%2Fpress%2Freleases%2Fasiaquake_indonesia_080105.htm [Last accessed: 20/03/2005]
This article outlines some of the key uses of technology in developing nations, including communication and sanitation equipment in disaster relief efforts. This case study shows the involvement of the Oxfam, in conjunction with Department for International Development (DFID who funded the plane taking the supplies. This is an example of a successful use of technology. The planes allowed rapid transportation of the equipment to those in need and, secondly, the equipment enabled the delivery of clean, safe water to 10,000 people in Banda, Aceh.
22. United Nations (UN), 2000, “First on the Ground” (Communications in Disaster Relief): http://www.un.org/millennium/media/OCHA.htm [Last accessed 21/03/2005]
This website highlights that communication is the key to any disaster relief effort. It goes on to detail how telecommunications company Ericsson have developed a ’First on the ground’ scheme which enables a synthesised communications network in order to ensure a swift response to any given situation. Communications also help prior to a natural disaster as it can relay information about any imminent dangers based on predictions and/or actual occurrences. The UN is keen to develop Ericsson’s scheme in order to achieve a more co-ordinated response to both natural and humanitarian disasters.