Responsive Innovation for Disaster Mitigation Gordon A Gow

Responsive Innovation for Disaster Mitigation Gordon A. Gow University of Alberta

“Among both developed and developing nations, the weakest elements concern warning dissemination and preparedness to act. … Root causes appear to be inadequate political commitment, weak coordination among various actors, and lack of public awareness and public participation in the development and operation of early warning systems. ” -UN Global Survey of Early Warning Systems, March 2006 (iv)

“Early warning systems are recognised in the Hyogo Framework as an important element of disaster risk reduction and hence to the achievement of sustainable development and sustainable livelihoods. … … If well integrated into a systematic framework of risk reduction, early warning systems can provide many development benefits. ” -UN Global Survey of Early Warning Systems, March 2006 (4)

What role can communications policy and regulation play in contributing to a systematic framework of risk reduction? What additional development benefits might such a framework also realistically seek to achieve?

detection infrastructure applications, content

What role can communications policy and regulation play in contributing to a systematic framework of risk reduction? What additional development benefits might such a framework also realistically seek to achieve?

mitigation recovery preparedness response

Disaster Mitigation “Structural and non-structural measures undertaken to limit the adverse impact of natural hazards, environmental degradation and technological hazards. ” -UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)

Non-structural measures “Non-structural measures refer to policies, awareness, knowledge development, public commitment, and methods and operating practices, including participatory mechanisms and the provision of information, which can reduce risk and related impacts. ” -UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)

“[the]hallmark of an approach to loss reduction based on a mitigative attitude or approach is the presence of integrated thinking -- the capability to deal with situations from human, technical and organizational perspectives at various scales of detail … [to] clearly see that natural disasters are not arbitrary occurrences, but rather the interaction of changes in physical systems with existent social conditions. ” J. Newton (2001, June 26). Loss Reduction Through Mitigation: The focus of the future. Presented at the 11 th World Conference on Disaster Management.

Progression of vulnerability root causes dynamic pressures unsafe conditions hazards DISASTER Disaster Pressure and Release Model (Blaikie, et al. )

Capacity and capacity building “A combination of all the strengths and resources available within a community, society or organization that can reduce the level of risk, or the effects of a disaster. … capacity building includes development of institutional, financial, political and other resources, such as technology at different levels and sectors of the society. ” -UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)

Enabling information to flow across diverse networks and between people and organizations detection Providing end-user access, training, education, and participation in planning infrastructure applications, content

What role can communications policy and regulation play in contributing to a systematic framework of risk reduction? What additional development benefits might such a framework also realistically seek to achieve?

Responsive Innovation Build on the multi-layer potential of communication systems to build capacity within communities. 1. ) Promotion of innovation through end-to-end principle of network design 2. ) Adopt open source thinking 3. ) Give the user community its own voice and capability to manage its communications needs

Policy interventions • Consultation and Learning – Support for stakeholder consultation – International forums, regional, national workshops • Targeted Innovation – Access to key network elements, support for R&D in emergency communications and third party projects – Development fund for essential communications services • Enabling – Regulatory oversight of developments to ensure innovation opportunities are maximized – Interconnection, essential facilities.

Haz. Info Project • Consultation and Learning – Sarvodaya and LIRNEasia working with communities and technical experts to discuss the concept of early warning and delivery of information to local villages. • Targeted Innovation – Support partners such as Dialog Telecom, World. Space, and Lanka Software Foundation using the consultation to improve design of early warning systems. • Enabling – Deployment of a last mile warning system to examine the feasibility of new solutions and to build communications capacity in local villages in Sri Lanka.

What role can communications policy and regulation play in contributing to a systematic framework of risk reduction? Create opportunities for responsive innovation in critical communications applications and content. What additional development benefits might such a framework also realistically seek to achieve? Build a robust communications capability that enhances everyday life of local communities through improved access to information and related services.