Deciphering adoption and adaption of ICTs in humanitarian services: the southern African context

Abstract

Globally, the rate and frequency at which both natural and man-made disasters have been occurring are on the increase. The southern African region has its own fair share of disasters such as floods, droughts, wars and health issues, hence a need to establish structures for emergency preparedness. With the adoption of information communication technologies (ICTs), humanitarian services, for interventions during emergencies such as disaster preparedness, responses and awareness would be enhanced. This chapter discusses the nature of humanitarian issues affecting the region and how best adoption and adaption of ICTs have and/or can close the gaps of these issues, thereby maximising the efficiency of the humanitarian sector in mitigation, management and recovery efforts. The actor-actant-network theory was used as a theoretical framework for the study. The framework managed to outline how actors, their institutions and actants (technology) interact through their networks in disaster mitigation. The study revealed the ICTs that are used in the southern African region to mitigate, manage and recover from floods, droughts, health and conflict humanitarian disasters. The chapter further explored the challenges faced by the southern African regional countries such as funding, infrastructure, emerging technologies and computer literacy, among others that are affecting the adoption and adaption of ICTs in the humanitarian sector. Recommendations for adopting and adapting ICTs for the region by the policy makers are also discussed.