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ITU-D -FLASH • 2015 UGANDA: HARNESSING THE POWER OF ICTS TO PROMOTE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION 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 coordinating logistics such delivery of medicines, food, and shelter to the affected population. ITU-D Study Group question 5/2 deals with the utilization of telecommunications/ICTs for disaster preparedness, mitigation and response.\"Telecommunications/ICTs play a critical role in disaster risk reduction, prediction, preparedness, mitigation and response. It is important for member states to develop telecommunication/ICT disaster preparedness plans and strategies, taking into account of the need for resilient redundant infrastructure and systems.\" Dubai Declaration, adopted at WTDC-14 This year marks the 150th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union. For a century and a half since 1865, ITU has been at the center of advances in communications – from telegraphy through to the modern world of satellites, mobile phones and the Internet. The theme of ITU’s 150th anniversary is “Telecommunications and ICTs: drivers of innovation”. Throughout 2015, ITU will organize several events highlighting ICTs as the drivers of innovation and sustainable development both at ITU headquarters in Geneva and around the world.Residents celebrate the installation of a flood water warning system