ITU-D -FLASH • 2015 \"The commissioning of this project comes at the right time when the international community is taking stock of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework adopted in 2005 during the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR), and preparing for the next WCDRR to be held in March 2015, in Sendai, Japan,\" he added.Hon. John Nasasira, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, thanked the International Telecommunication Union for its commitment and assistance to reduce the impact of natural disasters in the country. \"This early warning system is a welcome relief for the people of Butaleja District who have for years lost lives and property because there was no flood warning,\" he said. \"This is a step in the right direction as projects of this nature save many lives,\" said Mr Cosmas Zavazava, Chief of the Department of Project Support and Knowledge Management at ITU. \"This is the first time ITU has co-financed an alerting system with a government in Africa. A second flood warning system was installed in Butaleja District on 5 January 2015. Similar work has already been done in Asia and we are looking forward to supporting other countries across the globe in deploying ICTs for disaster preparedness and response financed through solid partnerships forged with governments, local communities and the private sector.\" Representing ITU at the ceremony was Mrs Fuatai Purcell, the Head of ITU's Division of Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, Landlocked Developing Countries, Emergency Telecommunications and Climate Change Adaptation.\"Natural disasters are on the rise. Modern technologies when appropriately deployed can significantly reduce loss of life, injuries and destruction to property,\" said Mrs Purcell.Mr Godfrey Mutabazi, Director of the Uganda Communications Commission, described the installation of the system as a new dawn for the population around Butaleja District and the larger Mt Elgon region.\"This project is in line with Uganda's National Vision 2040 which identifies ICTs among key foundations to spur Uganda's transformation into a modern and prosperous economy,\" he said.At day break, Simon and his fellow villagers had a first-hand look at the disaster they all managed to escape from. Some houses were still deep in flood waters. It will be a few days before they can go back to their homes and rebuild their lives.\"Thanks to the newly installed flood warning system, my family and I feel much safer,\" Simon whispered into the ear of his 10-month-old baby.The ITU Telecommunication Development Sector considers emergency telecommunications an integral part of development agenda in the post-2015 period and is working hard to ensure a natural link between ICTs for development and ICTs for disaster management. Emergency telecommunications is vital for disaster prediction, detection, alerting and response. In the immediate aftermath of disasters, ICTs ensure timely flow of vital information that is needed by government agencies and humanitarian actors responding to the disaster. ICTs are also crucial in UGANDA: HARNESSING THE POWER OF ICTS TO PROMOTE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION TO FLOOD-HIT MALAWI