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Tom Woolner

The role of ICT4D in emergency disaster relief situations in Asia and Africa

Governments and companies have become increasingly reliant upon the role of ICT for development within today’s disaster relief efforts through a number of factors in pre and post event situations. This bibliography will try and look at a number of methods and systems that have been developed to, for example; warn people of emanating disasters, or aid those who have been affected by a natural disaster. The chosen sources of different information for the bibliography have been selected to appeal to people from all back rounds, as all people need access to disaster relief information where ever they are in the world. The bibliography has been divided into sections depending upon the category of media. Within this field there is a distinct lack of relevant information in printed literature though there is an abundance of up to date information of current strategies, warning systems, projects and case studies on the internet.

Journals

  • Engineering News-Record, 4th September 2006, ‘Indonesia to add warning system’ Vol. 257, Issue. 9, (last accessed 4th December 2006)

Focusing upon the Indonesian Tsunami in 2004, a collaboration between the United Nations, UNESCO-IOC and intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission are creating an “end to end tsunami-warning system for the entire Indian Ocean” (Engineering News-Record, 2006) to try to avert another catastrophe from happening again, the article describes how with the use of modern technology and mobile phones people living within danger can be alerted in ‘real time’ via for example SMS text messaging to aid evacuation. This article aims to bring to light what measures are being taken to try to prevent large scale disasters from happening again, and it does this by bringing confidence to the reader by offering ICT4D as a solution to past barriers.

  • Neumann, P,G,. March 2005, Communications of the ACM, ‘Inside Risks: Anticipating Disasters’, Vol. 48 Issue 3, p128, 1p, (last accessed 4th December 2006)

This article focuses upon how computing technology can be used for deterring deaths caused by natural disasters, and how governments and companies are short sighted in using technology in situations that may occur, rather focusing upon disasters that have already occurred and preventing similar incidences in low occurrence high risk situations, ignoring potential long term consequences. This article is potentially insightful as it does bring to light achievements of technology in the prevention of deaths. Yet it doesn’t focus on positive areas in computing technology in the field of natural disasters of long term initiatives.

  • Shuster, L, A,. March 2005, Civil Engineering, ‘U.N. announces plans for tsunami warning system in Indian Ocean’, Vol. 75, Issue 3, p36, (last accessed 4th December 2006)

This article provides good information of how Tsunami detection devises operate, giving the reader a generalised view of what primarily UNISCO is doing to try and provide a warning system to many countries surrounding parts of the Indian Ocean, the article describes the techniques that UNESCO is using of how to detect tsunami generating events such as earthquakes and how these devises known as deep ocean assessment and reporting of tsunamis buoys are used to monitor underwater activity, and how the information is relayed to the appropriate officials. This is a helpful article for a reader but it fails to go into great depth in a technical perspective.

Books

  • Alexander D, 1993, “Natural Disasters”, UCL Press, London

Alexander focuses upon the physical ‘technical’ details of natural occurrences, such as Earthquakes and volcanoes as well as a range of other natural disasters. He does mention how technological developments aid in planning for emergency action which is insightful, one area that is helpful is how the mapping of disasters is achieved through the use of technological achievement. Bangladesh as a case study within the book is described in great detail focusing on measures to combat natural disasters.

  • Ayre RS, 1975, “Technical Adjustments to Natural Hazards” (US Department of Commerce) National Technical Information Service, Springfield

This is another dated report on technological developments to tackle natural disasters. The technological aspects within the report focuses upon the development of warning systems in such areas as earthquake predictions and tsunami warning devices. Technological proposals also include such methods as structural reinforcement of buildings as well as research proposals that look into developing equipment for aid workers that is more ergonomically friendly, such as developing lighter equipment or making it easier to use. Many ideas put forth by Ayre have either today been dismissed or have evolved to become reality making the report not relevant to today’s readily available information.

  • Burton I, Kates RW and White GF,. 1978, “The Environment as Hazard”, (Guilford Press, New York)

The book is a little outdated now, as since the 1970’s there have been a range of developments in the field of technology and its use in averting deaths caused by natural disasters. Much of the books academic context does not focus upon the use of technology in disaster relief, yet there a couple of constructive case studies within it that may be useful for comparing and contrasting actions taken by both governments and international aid companies that today have been modernised or scrapped altogether. When the book does talk of technology it does so from a pessimistic point of view associating technology to aggravating natural hazards.

  • Pelling, M,. 2003, ‘The vulnerability of Cities: Natural disasters and social resilience’, (Earthscan publications Ltd, London)

This book focuses rather more on human vulnerability and how humans adapt to try to tackle environmental hazards, and how urban development and natural hazards interact with one another. This is done by splitting the book into a number of clear and concise sections that are very informative of e.g. the geographies of urban disaster, and for example economic and political effects. As for the technical side in the prevention of urban disasters the book lacks information. The author then moves on to look at the actors that “make up systems of governance in the urban South,” (Pelling M, 2003) for example NGO’s and community based organisations, focusing upon three main case studies that have little relevance to ICT4D.

Video Media

  • BBC News, ‘Audio and Video search: Natural Disasters’,

bin/search/results.pl?q=natural+disaster&scope=newsukfs_av&tab=news_av&x=96&y=13 (Site Visited 5th December 2006)

Visual and Audio resources are a very helpful insight, this particular video clip shows the city of Gujurat that suffered a devastating earthquake in 2001 has been rebuild, this is a good example of how relief work and aid is constructive for places around the world that are hit by natural disasters. The government has rebuilt much of the area with more modern earthquake proof buildings that suit the local environment for long term efforts to minimise potential catastrophes in the future.

  • BBC News, 9th August 2006, ‘Full moon fear for volcano’, , (Site visited 5th December 2006)

This video article shows how the lives of locals are disturbed due to the potential of natural disasters occurring. It changes the researcher’s perceptions if they can be visually stimulated by video and can actually see the way that these disasters shape peoples lives. This news clip is helpful and relevant, as it shows how technological warning systems can save many lives through predictions. This article does not show if the eruption predictions were correct thus as a resource it lacks the conformation of using a successful warning system.

  • BBC News, ‘Tsunami Buoy laid in Indian Ocean’, 1st December 2006 , (Site Visited, 5th December 2006)

This short news report brings to light how the countries that were hit the hardest by the 2004 tsunami which killed nearly 200,000 people are setting up new buoys capable of providing a warning if pressure increases suddenly in deep ocean waters. The article provides good information of counter measures being taken by countries that potentially could be threatened. A good link on this page can be accessed by clicking on the hyperlink below:

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This describes how early warning systems works in great detail, whilst also comparing other systems that are in use.

Websites

  • American Red Cross, ‘International Services: Emergency Disaster Response and preparedness’, (Site Visited: 3rd December 2006)

The American Red Cross has community based services in many of the most vulnerable places throughout the world. This website informs the reader in many of the current relief efforts being made by the Red Cross throughout the world, providing much back round knowledge. The emergency disaster response and preparedness page states what the Red Cross is doing to try to aid relief efforts using Emergency response units consisting of pre-packed technical equipment used for sudden large scale disasters.

  • Centre of Excellence in disaster management and humanitarian assistance, last updated; 28th November 2006, (Site Visited 3rd December 2006)

This website has a wealth of articles relating to disaster management, the information network section provides recent reports of natural disasters and the site in collaboration with the Pacific Disaster Management Information Network (PDMIN) provides information for a number of strategies including disasters, complex emergencies and humanitarian assistance.

A very informing link to this website is which contains a range of up to date articles from around the world of both natural disasters and epidemic situations.

  • Freeplay Foundation, ‘Making access to information and education possible’, (Site accessed, 4th December 2006)

This organisation which is primarily based around providing children with a system for education also incorporates the use of radios in trying to provide humanitarian assistance, there have been a number of cases where the freeplay radio has helped give communities with poor communication infrastructure early warning of potential famines and other natural disasters, a good example of this within the website is the case study of Mosambique which was hit by severe floods and cyclones in 2001, the full case study can be found by clicking on the hyperlink below:

  • International tsunami information centre, (Site accessed, 4th December 2006)

This website is aimed at providing information in a manner of forms through many links that will benefit the user greatly; it gives information regarding all aspects of tsunamis, including their origins, strategy and management of companies and recent tsunamis. This is an invaluable resource that links also the following information paper of the tsunami teacher resource kit.

  • United Nations,. 7th January 2005, ‘Tampere Convention: Saving Lives through emergency telecommunications’,

This article describes how a legally binding treaty has been set up via the convention of the ‘provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations’

in the face of saving lives through the mutual benefit of using telecommunications to ensure a more efficient response time from aid workers not having to worry about gaining permission from local authorities who have applied local rules and regulations that can hinder the speed of rescue to prevent the loss of life and help save survivors of disasters. The article talks about how the history of this agreement was set up and why it was set up of which one of the primary reasons is that “Disasters kill one million people each decade and leave millions more homeless worldwide.” (U.N, 2005) This article brings to light how corporations and governments are working together to tackle policies that may hinder rescue efforts.

A link for more information can be accessed from the bottom of this article that refers the reader to another helpful website:

  • Relief Web – Emergency Telecommunications, 5th December 2006, , (Site Visited 5th December 2006)

This is an excellent website with up to date information of current events happening around the world, providing the user with access to their local regions with up to date coverage both locally and worldwide. The site is updated every 72 hours and brings to light the most desperate situations throughout the world. Users can see how appeal and funding initiatives are doing whilst also looking at current policies and issues that not only focus upon natural disasters but also global issues including Human rights initiatives and disease epidemics. There are also lists of featured documents that provide a wealth of information for the reader.

  • World Bank, ‘Projects and Operations’,

(Site visited, 3rd December 2006)

The search engine within this website has a number of very relevant articles that relate to disaster relief and what a number of companies, governments and organisations are doing to try to support those in need with aid and relief, the search results provide case studies for disaster relief although the information is rather limited and does not go into great depth.

  • World meteorological Organisation, Last Update 6th December 2006, (Site visited, 6th December 2006)

As a website for up to date weather information this site is very helpful. The page is easy to use with a five day forecast; there is a section within the site that allows the user to see if there are any severe weather warnings for their local area which is a helpful tool if people from areas do not have reliable resources. The ease of use of the site is straightforward, yet if one is trying to gain an overview of many different areas with specific weather situations the site is limited.

Official reports and Case Studies

  • Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, 21st June 2005, ‘Reports of Governing and major subsidiary bodies,

Much of this lengthy paper is not relevant to early warning systems and emergency relief aid. Section 4.8 though, titled “Response in the aftermath of the 26th December 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean” has useful information, as it talks about how the warning system was set up, through the process of meeting by a number of organizations and government officials. The section talks about future plans for warning systems that are to be created for monitoring future potential catastrophic disasters including talks of an Australian tsunami warning system that is to monitor activity under the Indian and Pacific Oceans surrounding the Australian coasts. The section also includes ideas of developing the same systems in a number of other countries such as Japan, Korea and collaborations between India and Pakistan.

  • International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, 18th-22nd January 2005, ‘Action 2005-2015: building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters’, , (Site visited, 5th December 2006)

This website focuses on a number of key themes including challenges posed by disasters, it does not specifically focus upon technological development, rather what steps must be taken for reducing communities at risk, and how to take action upon acting on warnings created by technological advancements. The paper provides a good backbone for recognising and dealing with potential disasters whilst also focusing on the people most vulnerable in certain situations also developing good practices on local development. Whilst also using “Knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels”

  • International Training Centre,. July 2006, ‘Global thinking for local development ‘Disaster risk reduction: A call to action’, , (Site Visited, 5th December 2006)

This paper focuses in a range of areas in good depth ranging from the past, present and future policies adapted to try to reduce the devastating impact on communities by natural disasters, focusing upon a number of case studies in Africa, looking at how countries tackle individual needs, for example early flood warning systems in Angola. Other sections that are of relevance include how communities are educated in preparation of disasters, and how the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies can educate people suitably to their local needs.

A very useful case study that goes into great depth is included within this paper, and that is of the “Recovery and reconstruction after the Great Hanshin-Awaii earthquake:

The case study focuses in on a range of areas from initial reconstructions of the country looking at how the government dealt with the situation, countermeasures that had been developed and, recommendations of how the situation should have been dealt with differently. This case study has been tackled from a range of different perspectives, for example; how co-ordination between organisations was handled, the importance of volunteers and the importance of urban planning, as well as focusing on a number of different aspects.

  • Oxfam International, 19th November 2005, ‘A mountain to climb: What needs to be done to prevent further deaths following the Pakistan earthquake and to enable survivors to rebuild their lives and livelihoods’, (Site visited: 4th December 2006)

This case study refers to the Pakistani earthquake of October 2005, and to what needed to be done for the areas that were most severely damaged. In this article Oxfam brings to light areas that needed to be addressed, for example food, sanitation and education etc. The articles relevance to technological requirements is mentioned in a number of circumstances but fail to go into any great depth. This article primarily looks upon the socio-economical side of re-building communities.