Framework for effective utilization of information communication technology in enhancing disaster risk management

Abstract

Disasters whether natural or man-made play havoc with the lives of millions of people every year around the globe. Their aftermath is nothing but an uninviting picture of death, destruction, and sufferings. It is not always possible to avoid disaster but the sufferings can be minimized by proper disaster management through appropriate disaster management tools. One of the disaster management tools is Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The advancement in Information and Communication Technology in the form of Internet, GIS, Remote Sensing, and Space Technology can help a great deal in planning and implementation of disaster reduction measures. This research highlights how Information and Communication Technology can be applied effectively in different stages of disaster risk management process to reduce or avoid the human, physical and economic losses suffered by individual/country and to reduce personal sufferings to speed up recovery with a few case studies. The study proposes a framework that focusses on building disaster resilience in society through creation of state-of-the art knowledge based National Disaster Management center that will provide value added information in various formats of audio, video, and data to stake holders for proactive and holistic management of disasters with a particular emphasis on the last-mile connectivity to the vulnerable community during all phases of Disaster Risk Management cycle which when implemented will reduce the impact of disaster globally