Development of a mobile application for Early Warning Systems and risk management in Cuba

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICT) play a determining role in tackling climate change. ICTs are increasingly used in surveillance, prediction and support actions in adapting to these environmental risks. The archipelago of Cuba is one of the most vulnerable due to the negative effects of climate change. The island nation adopts the benefits offered by ICTs, in order to promote risk reduction due to the impact of natural and anthropogenic threats. The article presents the design of a computer tool called SATEMovil, which was conceived as a mobile phone application for receiving early alerts in the face of extreme threats. The research exposes the operation of the Early Warning Systems and mobile applications in Cuba and the process of design and creation of the SATEMovil App. The application contributes to adequate integrated risk management in Cuba, by favoring the identification and continuous monitoring of natural hazards, through textual reports and dynamic graphics. Its use optimizes the existing relationship, between social vulnerability indices and the level of uncertainty in the population, in the six identified threats. The result obtained enhances the country’s preparedness to reduce and confront risk.