new technologies and disaster information resources
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New technologies and disaster information resources. Ocho Rios, Jamaica February 2003. Why this module?. Understand why and how disaster managers can integrate the use of the Internet and other technologies into their information and communications strategies. . - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
New technologies and New technologies and disaster information disaster information
resourcesresources
Ocho Rios, JamaicaFebruary 2003
Why this module?Why this module?
Understand why and how disaster managers can integrate the use of the Internet and other technologies into their information and communications strategies.
New technologies and New technologies and disaster information disaster information resourcesresources
Part 1. The impact on Part 1. The impact on disaster managersdisaster managers
Can we agree that . . . ?Can we agree that . . . ?
The Internet is not simply a passing fancy . . .
It has changed, and will continue to change, the way we work.
The train is leaving the station …. All aboard!
How has the Internet How has the Internet changedchanged
our lives? our lives?
The progression of Internet The progression of Internet use in disaster management use in disaster management
in the Americasin the Americas
1995
The first projects exclusively designed to
promote a culture of Internet use.
ObjetivesObjetives
Improve horizontal comunication.
Provide local access to global sources of information.
ObstaclesObstacles
Political and regulatory monopolies Lack of telephone lines and
equipment Much-needed support and hand-
holding The issue of language
1995
Listservs and the WWW
1996
Discussion group among Caribbean disaster managers
Internet e-mail distribution list [email protected]@paho.org
1995 1996 1997
Internet MeetingBogota, Colombia
Where recommendations Where recommendations included ….included ….
Allowing unfettered exchange of information
Including the topic on conference agendas!
Closing the gap between the “haves” and “have-nots”
Hurricanes Georges and
Mitch
1995 1996 1997 1998
Hurricanes Georges and Hurricanes Georges and Mitch were the firstMitch were the first
Internet-intensive disastersInternet-intensive disasters
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Venezuela
Information-based decision making
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
For any Ministry, agency or organization, disasters cause
C H A O S !C H A O S !
The climate during The climate during disastersdisasters
On the plus side Solidarity Anything is
possible!
On the negative side More political than
medical Competitive rather
than collaborative More emotional
than pragmatic
Where are we Where are we headed?headed?
The The democratization of democratization of
informationinformation
INFORMATION
Twenty years ago . . .Twenty years ago . . .
Whoever had the information had power !
Mass mediaMass media
The The publicpublic
The affected The affected countrycountry
DonorsDonors
Today . . .Today . . .
Power lies in disseminating information
Twenty years ago . . .Twenty years ago . . .
Usually, information originated from one single source
Today . . .Today . . .
Information comes from all over !
In summary . . .In summary . . .
Source: Internet World Stats, 2003
We must close the digital divide
REGION Population( Est. 2002 )
Users,Latest Data
Central America 39,066,700 832,000North America 419,890,300 187,477,584South America 354,639,600 27,780,295The Caribbean 39,637,400 1,283,600
Growth is tremendous, but the digital divide remains . . .
REGION %USERS
GROWTH(2000-2002)
% POPULATION(PENETRATION)
Central America 0.4% 64.8 % 2.1 %North America 86.2% 69.2 % 44.6 %South America 12.8% 94.4 % 7.8 %The Caribbean 0.6% 123.0 % 3.2 %
The Internet is used for many purposes...
. . . Time is our scarcest resource!
Why don’t we make more Why don’t we make more use of available use of available
information?information?
Today, information is not our scarcest resource . . .
Too little time + Too much information
==
expectations thatexpectations thatcannot be metcannot be met
Unmet expectations = LOST TIME
Lost time = LOST CLIENTS
We used to talk about the We used to talk about the information “have-information “have-
nots” . . . nots” . . .
” N ow we talk about the information “can nots”
In summary . . .In summary . . .
The digital divide is closing Use of the Internet in disaster
management contributes to transparency
In summary . . .In summary . . .
The digital divide is closing Use of the Internet in disaster
management contributes to transparency
Those who adopt a non-restrictive, open policy regarding Internet communication and dissemination of information will have the last word!