Information and communications technology for disaster risk reduction

Extreme weather conditions and natural disasters are taking an increasing toll, in both human and economic terms. The international community, having realized the gravity of this ominous trend early on, adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters.

In the Asia and the Pacific region, 2008 was marred by Cyclone Nargis, which devastated the Irrawaddy Delta in Myanmar and killed an estimated 130,000 people, and the earthquake that struck Sichuan Province in China, which affected millions and left more than 85,000 dead. In terms of deaths, Cyclone Nargis ranks among the worst five cyclones, and the Sichuan earthquake among the worst 10 earthquakes, since 1900.

It is widely recognized that information and communications technology (ICT), including space-based
technology, plays an important role in establishing effective early warning systems and successfully conducting emergency preparedness and response activities.

Policy brief No.4, UNESCAP, IDD