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Disaster Management and Resilience Workshop

Time and place: Thursday, 25 April 2024, 14:30 – 17:30 hours, Geneva (Room K, ITU)

This workshop on Disaster Management and Resilience through Telecommunications/ICT took place at ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 14:30-17:30, in conjunction with the Question meeting 3/1 of ITU-D Study Group 1 on “The use of telecommunications/ICT for disaster risk reduction and management”.

Background information

Disasters can have a negative impact on societies, disrupting the normal functioning of social and economic life. The combination of hazards, vulnerability and the inability to reduce the potential negative consequences of risks results in disasters. Information and communications technologies (ICT) play a central role in disaster prevention, mitigation and management. The main objective of this workshop was to share experiences and knowledge on disaster resilience mechanisms using telecommunications/ICT such as 5G, IoT , big data and AI with ITU members- D. The results of the discussion will be used in the final report for Question 3/1.

Return to the main ITU-D Study Group 1 page

[14:30 - 14:35] Opening remarks

Mr Serigne Abdou Lahatt SYLLA (Republic of Senegal), Co-Rapporteur ITU-D Study Group 1 Q3/1 [Biography]

[14:35 - 15:45] SESSION 1: ICT infrastructure in times of crisis: Strengthening Telecommunications Networks for resilience in the face of Disasters

This session focussed on the critical importance of telecommunications infrastructure in disaster management and strategies to strengthen the resilience of these networks during times of crisis. Speakers and participants took a close look at the specific challenges faced by telecommunications networks during disasters such as earthquakes, storms, floods and wildfires, as well as solutions and best practices for dealing with them.

Sub-themes covered included:

Overview of the challenges faced by telecommunications/ICT infrastructure during disasters.

Exploration of network preparedness and strengthening strategies, including resilience of telecommunications/ICT infrastructure, diversification of communication channels and emergency response plans.

Case studies in managing communications networks during catastrophic events.

Moderator:

Speakers:

Mr Justin Cain, Chief of the Operations and Emergency Management Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, FCC, USA [Biography]
Ms Ria Sen, Global Preparedness Officer, Emergency Telecommunications Cluster, World Food Program [Biography] [Presentation]
Ms Zoe Hamilton, GSMA, Senior Policy Manager, Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation [Biography]
Ms Kathryn Condello, Senior Director, National Security & Emergency Preparedness, Lumen Technologies [Biography]

[15:45 - 16:00 ] Break

[16:00 – 17:25 ] SESSION 2: Technological Innovation and Cooperation: Information and Communication Technologies as Key Tools in Emergency Management and Post-Disaster Reconstruction.

This session explored the crucial role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in emergency management and post-disaster reconstruction. In the discussions, speakers highlighted the latest technological innovations and best practices in the use of ICT to effectively respond to crises and facilitate the sustainable reconstruction of affected communities.

Sub-themes covered included:

Introducing innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics for disaster management.

Discussion on the importance of collaboration between governments, humanitarian organizations, the private sector and civil society in the use of ICT for disaster prevention, emergency response and reconstruction.

Presentation of innovative applications and platforms using ICT for real-time data collection, mapping of affected areas and coordination of relief operations.

Moderator:

Speakers:

Professor Chen Tao, Tsinghua University [Biography] [Presentation]
Ms Naomi Ng’ang’a, Kenya Red Cross [Biography] [Presentation]
Prof Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Gueye, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal [Biography] [Presentation]
Ms Monique Kuglitsch, Fraunhofer HHI, Germany, Chair of FG-AI4NDM [Biography]

[17:25 - 17:30] Concluding remarks

Ms Alison Balzer (USA), Co-Rapporteur ITU-D Study Group 1 Q3/1