digital technologies and ict applications for disaster
TRANSCRIPT
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Sarah Wade-Apicella, Programme Management Officer
UNDRR Global Education and Training Institute (GETI)
18 June 2021
With the support of
Digital Technologies and ICT Applications
for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience
Presentation II of the UN DESA–Seoul National University Governance Capacity
Development Session Series
Strengthening Public Governance & Accelerating Innovation to Achieve Agenda
2030
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Introduction & Objectives
Recall
What are disasters, and how they undermine sustainable
development
Explore
How ICT applications contribute to DRR and building resilience
especially in vulnerable countries and communities.
How is the application of ICT tools promoting citizens engagement
and transparent risk-informed governance in times of disasters
especially in this COVID-19 pandemic.
What are some of the challenges and barriers to access, adoption,
and utilization ICTs and innovative technologies for DRR.
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Why?
because disasters are not natural
Photo courtesy of Alberto Bisbal
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Understanding Disaster Risk
https://gar.undrr.org/
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Hazards are not only natural
The Report supports Sendai Framework, the SDGs, and Paris Agreement implementation and review by providing a common set of hazard definitions which calls for “a data revolution, rigorous accountability mechanisms and renewed global partnerships.”
Meteorological and hydrological
Extraterrestrial
Geohazards
Environmental
Chemical
Biological
Technological
Societal
Understanding the full spectrum of underlying hazards is the first step to understanding and addressing exposure and vulnerability and their interconnections as key components to effectively reduce risks.
https://www.undrr.org/publication/hazard-definition-and-classification-review
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
‘New’ Hazards: Impact of COVID-19
COVID-19 is likely to cause the first increase in global poverty since 1998, when the Asian Financial Crisis hit.
COVID-19 has threatened cities and communities, endangering not only public health, but also the economy and the fabric of society.
The World Bank has estimated that COVID-19 is pushing between 88 and 115 million people into extreme poverty in 2020 and as many as 150 million by 2021.
Many of these “new poor” will be people living in cities and who are self-employed, mostly working in the informal sector.
World Bank: Data Blog and Sustainable Cities Blogs, April and June 2020
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
The impact on progress towards the SDGs of natural and biological hazards
https://www.undrr.org/publication/integrating-disaster-risk-reduction-and-climate-change-adaptation-un-sustainable
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
The impact on progress towards the SDGs of technological and slow-onset climate change related hazards
https://www.undrr.org/publication/integrating-disaster-risk-reduction-and-climate-change-adaptation-un-sustainable
Division For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Risk-Informed Decision-Making (RIDM)
Source: Opitz-Stapleton, Sarah, Rebecca Nadin, Jan Kellett, Margherita Calderone, Adriana Quevedo, Katie Peters, and Leigh Mayhew. 2019. Risk-Informed Development: From Crisis to Resilience. ODI, UNDP, and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. http://bit.ly/30UJjJQ.
“Despite increasing understanding of some complex risks among risk reduction practitioners, global commitments to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and previously the Millennium Development Goals, development planning and programming still do not adequately consider or act upon these risks.”
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Data & Information in Decision-Making
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Prevent the creation of new risk Reduce existing risk Invest in Resilience
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
Division For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Source: UN Economic and Social Council. 2019. The role of science, technology and innovation in building resilient communities, including through the contribution of citizen science. Commission on Science and Technology for Development. March 4. http://bit.ly/2lCq48U.EMSC, 2019.
“Science, technology and innovation play a critical role in building community resilience. Diverse fields of science generate new knowledge that improve understanding of the mechanisms and drivers of community resilience. New market-ready technologies create innovative opportunities for increasing economic, social and environmental resilience, and new approaches to innovation can bring together non-traditional innovation actors to unite their efforts and pool their resources towards community resilience.”
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Enhancing DRM and Resilience with STI
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Part 1: How ICT applications contribute to DRR and building resilience especially in vulnerable countries and communities
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Special Scenario: What will success look like in the fictional city of Drecca-Susdev? Fictional delta city of Drecca-Susdev - some elements of integrated risk governanceenabled by technology
https://gar.undrr.org/
Division For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Information Sharing Systems
• Sharing at the individual level
• Sharing at the organizational level
• Sharing at the inter-organizational level Top Image: Facebook safety check. Middle Image: US Office of Personnel
Management Operating Status Website. Bottom Image: Relief Web Information Sharing Page.
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Division For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Hazard Monitoring and Warning Data
• Dynamic, real time• May be automated or require human
surveys• Aerial imagery • Citizen reporting
Top Image: Stream gauge on the Big Wood River, Idaho, USA. Bottom image: Mobile emergency alert message.Top Image Source: Lac du Flambeau Tribe, 2019.
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Division For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Image: Mobile phone screenshot of a mistaken warning message, January 2017.
• Alert and Warning• Citizen Science• Status Checks• Search and Rescue and Relief Alerting
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DRM Applications for Mobile Messaging
Mobile Messaging Systems
Division For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Image: Salgar early warning system diagram.Source: ITU, 2019.
• Problem: Risk from riverine flooding and associated landslide risk threaten citizens in a remote village community.
• Need: Early warning capabilities.• Obstacle: Manual collection of riverine and
precipitation data is not responsive enough to provide effective warnings.
• Solution: IoT-connected sensors and an automated warning system identify flood risk and communicate that to DRM stakeholders.
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Case Study: IoT Early Warning and Risk Monitoring for River Flooding in Colombia
Internet of Things (IoT)
Division For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Video: In Tanzania, Citizen Scientists Help Reduce Flood Risk with Soil
Sampling. Source: World Bank, 2019.
• Problem: Information to inform
disaster risk reduction efforts is
often outdated, and therefore
irrelevant or inaccurate.
• Need: Up-to-date data.
• Obstacle: Technical surveying
efforts can be very expensive.
• Solution: Crowdsourcing of soil
data for the purpose of building a
comprehensive soil map.
Case Study: Crowdsourcing Flood Resilience
Crowdsourcing and Crowdfunding
Division For Public Institutions and Digital Government
Video: Maps Program Description.
Source: Humanitarian OpenStreetMap, 2015.
• Problem: Disaster response
operations are dispersed throughout
large geographic areas, which
influence those operations.
• Need: Accurate maps.
• Obstacle: In vulnerable places where
disasters are most likely, accurate
maps are least likely to exist.
• Solution: Crowdsource mapping
efforts using global and local
volunteers.
Case Study: Crowdsourcing Maps
UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Division For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Case Study: European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre
(EMSC)
• Collects real-time information
from over 70 seismological
networks
• Earthquake events displayed
on an easy-to-use, open
access website
• Services supported by
“LASTQUAKE” mobile phone
app
• Site-specific notifications
• Citizen-science capabilitiesImage: Screenshot of the EMSC Website, December 17, 2019.Source: EMSC, 2019.
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Case Study: Digital Government and ICT tools for
Alerting and Evacuating
• One of the logical developments of ICT for
disaster preparedness is the design of
apps to assist citizens in the
preparedness phase.
• To raise their awareness of the risks in
their area, inform them about what to do
in case of an emergency.
• Alert them of possible hazard events or
guide them to evacuate.
https://www.unapcict.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/Academy%20Module%20on%20ICT%20for%20DRM.pdf
ShakeAlert – An App for
Earthquake Warning
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionDivision For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Image: Screen shot of Google-generated
warning in India. Source: Google, 2018.
• Problem: Floods can occur with little or no warning
and affect an otherwise unprepared population.
• Need: Effective warning prior to a flood event.
• Obstacle: It can be very difficult to reach at-risk
populations because there are so many different
channels through which people receive their risk
information.
• Solution: Identify at risk people by their internet use
and provide them with hazard information when they
are likely to be impacted.
Case Study: Google Flood Prediction in India
Division For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Image: mVAM information flow.Source: WFP, 2019.
• Problem: DRM stakeholders must manage the life sustaining needs of disaster impacted populations.
• Need: Frequent and reliable data on food security.
• Obstacle: Collection of this data is time and resource intensive.
• Solution: Mobile surveys and reporting mechanisms that allow thousands to report conditions and needs.
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Case Study: WFP Mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping
(mVAM) pilots in Somalia and Congo DRC
Mobile Messaging Systems
Division For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Image: 4636 Process.Source: Chhetri, Prem, 2017. http://bit.ly/36DEpVc.
• Problem: Disaster victims throughout the impacted area will face a variety of rescue needs.
• Need: A method to communicate needs to responders.
• Obstacle: Multiple languages are spoken by citizens, and many locations do not have official numerical addresses.
• Solution: SMS-based reporting line staffed with volunteer translators and staff capable of georeferencing messages.
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Case Study: Mission 4636 – Response in Haiti
Mobile Messaging Systems
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
How is the application of ICT tools
promoting citizens engagement and
transparent risk-informed
governance in times of disasters
especially in this COVID-19
pandemic?
Part 2
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Testing, tracing, tracking apps Transparency: Public information updates, alerts Myth busters: Public health information
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionDivision For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Case Study: Digital technologies are helping
Singapore to tackle COVID-19
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionDivision For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
UNDRR Asia-Pacific COVID-19 Brief: Disaster-Responsive Social Protection
https://www.undrr.org/publication/undrr-asia-pacific-covid-19-brief-disaster-responsive-social-protection
Case Studies: Digitization enhances inclusionin Asia-Pacific and Mongolia
Digital solutions and connectivity are providing new avenues to attain universal social protection and minimize exclusion errors.
Across Asia Pacific, digital identities and digital cash transfers are two innovations that could be scaled up to enable timely responses, curb corruption and ensure that no one is left behind.
Digital cash transfers are not only quick and efficient, but in cases like pandemics, can minimize the need for in-person transactions – thus ensuring assistance reaches those who need it without adding new risks to the beneficiaries or the frontline personnel.
In Mongolia, a large and sparsely populated country, digital connectivity has
helped strengthen outreach to people living in remote areas.
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionDivision For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Source:Presentation of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Republic of Korea (00:20:59), UNDRR GETI & WHO Webinar: Emerging Technologies in Response to COVID-19https://www.undrr.org/event/undrr-geti-who-and-global-policy-house-webinar-lessons-covid-19-pandemic-emerging and https://youtu.be/91Bb3IRrrd4
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
What are some of the challenges
and barriers to access, adoption,
and utilization ICTs and innovative
technologies for DRR?
Part 3
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionDivision For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Public Confidence, Political Support,
Stakeholder Engagement
Policies / Strategies
Resources
Statutory Framework
Establishing an Enabling Environment
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionDivision For Public Institutions and Digital Government
Division For Public Institutions and Digital Government
• Laws can constrain or support implementation
• The broad scope of emerging technology applications means
many individual laws will have some impact or influence
• Laws may impact:
• Directly (e.g., laws governing drone piloting)
• Indirectly (e.g., laws guiding data protection)
• Laws should be explicit
• Legal frameworks should be flexible and responsive
• Considerations for:
• Civil liberties
• Security
• Privacy
• Other concerns
Statutory Framework
UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionDivision For Public Institutions and Digital Government
• Problem: Research efforts require
significant data collection support.
• Need: Access to resources to increase
citizen science opportunities.
• Obstacle: Traditional governmental grant
programs may not have the eligibility
provisions to support citizen science, nor are
there other wraparound supports like a
dedicated platform.
• Solution: National legal framework to guide
and support citizen science.Image: Screenshot of CitizenScience.Gov, 2020.
Source: US Government, 2020.
Case Study: Legislation to Support Citizen Science
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionDivision For Public Institutions and Digital Government
• Resource deficiencies one of the greatest
obstacles to DRR capacity development
• For emerging technologies, there exist unique
resourcing pathways and opportunities
• Capacity development includes the capacity to
develop adequate resourcing channels
• Potential pathways:
• Resource Sharing
• Public Private Partnerships
• Development Assistance
• Mutual Assistance Agreements and
Regionalization
• South-South, North-South, and Triangular
Cooperation for Technology Transfer
UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Access to Resources
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionDivision For Public Institutions and Digital Government
• Problem: Technology implementation
requires significant human resources.
• Need: Human resource capacity
development.
• Obstacle: Many SIDS do not have the
facilities or the trainers to conduct capacity
development efforts.
• Solution: Bilateral assistance through a
triangular cooperation mechanism to
provide technical training to development
partners through a dedicated capacity
development program.
Image: Participants on a SIDSTEC course field trip in February of 2018.
Source: SCPTA, 2018.
UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Case Study: Triangular Cooperation
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionDivision For Public Institutions and Digital Government
• Provide necessary social and institutional structure
• Required at all administrative levels
• Innovation and use will occur with or without clear policies
• Clear policies help increase the likelihood that technologies and
innovations have a positive impact
• STI policies should be linked to development, DRR, and other relevant policies
• Policies can limit unintended consequences / negative impacts
• Collective action on policies and strategies at the regional and global levels can
help to address cross-border implications
• Policies governing data
• Open data
• Data preparedness
• Reducing data disparities
• Preventing data deluge
• Preventing data distortion
• Preventing data damage
UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Clear and Competent Policies and Strategies
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionDivision For Public Institutions and Digital Government
“We live in a time of stunning technological
wizardry, but unfortunately, not all of us benefit
from it. Many have already been left behind and
risk falling even further behind due to the
political, economic, and social consequences of
rapidly expanding inequality. Tremendous
technological leaps are being made, but the
economic and social benefits remain
geographically concentrated, primarily in
developed countries.” - ‘Utoikamanu, Fekitamoeloa. 2018.
Bridging the Digital Divide
UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Division For Public Institutions and Digital Government UNDRR Global Education & Training InstituteWith the support of
Takeaways:
Enhancing DRM and Resilience with STI
• Enhanced capacity
• New Capacity
• STI may:
• Empower and give a voice to people of diverse backgrounds and
classes
• Increase inclusion of otherwise marginalized groups
• Extend access to education and healthcare
• Increase government accountability and transparency
• Connect disparate social groups and community stakeholders
• Expand economic diversification
• Strengthen infrastructure networks and nodes
• Reduce environmental degradation
• Improve compliance with regulations (e.g., land use)
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© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
To Move Towards Risk Informed Governance and Resilience
The Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR), 2019
“Innovation curve” – from destructive to regenerative approaches
© UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Disaster Risk Reduction Terminology
https://www.undrr.org/terminology
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, UN
https://www.undrr.org/implementing-sendai-framework/what-sf
http://www.preventionweb.net/drr-framework/sendai-framework
The Global Assessment Report 2019 with link to 2017 Global Risk Atlas & 2013, 2011, 2009 GARs
https://gar.undrr.org
The Global Risks Report 2021, 16th Edition, World Economic Forum
https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-global-risks-report-2021
30 Innovations linking disaster risk reduction with sustainable development goals
https://www.preventionweb.net/publications/view/70713
Toolkit: Risk-informed Governance and Innovative Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction and
Resilience
https://unpan.un.org/node/588
Key Resources