New technologies and disaster information resources Ocho Rios, Jamaica February 2003.

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

[email protected]

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

REGIONPopulation( 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!