Digital disaster management ecosystem-a futuristic approach for improving the disaster management system in Pakistan

Abstract

The establishment of a very strong and effective disaster management system is an urgent need of Pakistan, as it is badly suffering from both natural and man-made disasters. In this paper, we propose a new methodology for improving the disaster management system of Pakistan by the implementation of digital ecosystems. Firstly, we discuss the existing disaster management system followed by the current Government of Pakistan in 2009. We then propose a hierarchy for this system, based on the functionality of different sectors working at provincial and national level. A methodology is developed through which emergency phone calls can be simultaneously received by the risk management departments for immediate response. We then link the departments, at different levels of hierarchy, for the efficient exchange of information through a well-organized digital ecosystem. After discussing the importance of the proposed digital national disaster management ecosystem, we give its detailed description and discuss its benefits. Finally we give the future prospects of implementing a digital disaster management system on world level.