ICTs and Risk Communication in Asia-Pacific

Dr. Krishnamurthy SrirameshProfessor of Public Relations

School of BusinessMassey University

Wellington New Zealand

ICTs and Risk Comm. in ICTs and Risk Comm. in Asia-PacificAsia-Pacific

Digital Review of Asia-Pacific

Coauthors: Chanuka Wattegama (UNDP) and Johan Abo (ADPC)

We also recognize input from Chin Saik Yoon

Outline Outline

Focus on Natural Disasters (eg. Asian Tsunami,

Kashmiri earthquake) Public Health emergencies (SARS, Avian

Flu) Format:

long-term disaster preparedness, readiness to face an impending disaster reacting after a disaster has struck Recommendations to policy makers

1. Long-term disaster-1. Long-term disaster-preparednesspreparedness

1. SOPAC: South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission

2. ADSNet: ASEAN Disease Surveillance Net 3. Global Atlas of Infectious Diseases4. Alertnet: by Reuters5. MEERP: Maharastra Emergency

Earthquake Rehabilitation Programme6. SHOC: Strategic Health Operations Centre7. SAHMBA: Strengthening Animal Health

Management and Biosecurity in ASEAN

2. ICTs and Impending 2. ICTs and Impending DisastersDisasters

Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System (from 2006)

25 seismographic stations 26 Tsunami Warning Focal Points (TWFP)ADPC – Asia Disaster Preparedness Center has key role

Crossing the “Last Mile” Information Village Research Project (Swaminathan Foundation) and telecenters

eHealth Initiatives such as HINARIeHealth Initiatives such as HINARI

3. ICTs During and 3. ICTs During and Aftermath of a crisisAftermath of a crisis

Role of the InternetRole of the InternetAlternative Communication Channels Alternative Communication Channels

Use of RFID (Radio Frequency Use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and ePIC (electronic Identification) and ePIC (electronic picture cameras) in Singapore during picture cameras) in Singapore during SARS SARS

New media such as blogsNew media such as blogsWLAN: Wireless Local Area Network WLAN: Wireless Local Area Network

eg. OCHA of the UNeg. OCHA of the UN

Recommendations Recommendations

Integrate risk communication as part of Integrate risk communication as part of sustainable development strategiessustainable development strategiesDigital Localization to overcome Digital Localization to overcome language barrierslanguage barriersPolitical Will to view ICTs not just as Political Will to view ICTs not just as business tools but also developmental business tools but also developmental and risk management toolsand risk management toolsRisk Communication should be integral Risk Communication should be integral part of all ICT4D strategiespart of all ICT4D strategies

Xie Xie!!!Xie Xie!!!