Application of Information Technology in Disaster and Emergency Management

Abstract

This paper discusses application of information technology in disaster risk management and reducing impact of disasters in the community. Internet and mobile-cellular phone are the two ultimate manifestations, so far, of information technology. The number of subscription of mobile-cellular phone per 100 inhabitants increased from just below 23 to nearly 85 in the span of 8 years from 2005-12. Although the number jumped from 82 to 124 in the same period in the developed world, the increase in the rest of the world is also phenomenal. Increase in numbers individuals using internet has been, however, lower in developing world which increased from just below 8 users to about 28 users per 100 inhabitants in the duration of 2005-12. Use of internet in mobile phone is now merging to such an extent that access to mobile phone may ultimately mean access to internet in the future. Despite of the advancement, sophistication and widespread proliferation of the technology, its application in disaster risk management has not still been fully capitalized. One of the reasons for this is that information available doesn't necessarily mean reception of the information by the person in need and translation of the information to action that can reduce impact of disaster. Further groundwork is necessary for translating information into action and the next meet of stakeholders in 2015 in Japan to chart future direction of global effort in disaster risk reduction should focus on utilizing full potential of information technology for disaster risk management.