Role of Telecommunications/ ICT in Disaster Mitigation Alexandria, EGYPT, 14-17 April 2007 Dr. Cosmas L. Zavazava, PhD. HEAD, Emergency Telecommunications, Least Developed Countries, and Small Island Developing States

Disasters kill at least one million people each decade and cause annual losses of US 65 billion dollars… THE DESTRUCTIVE NATURE OF DISASTERS

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Sandstorm.

WHEN DISASTERS STRIKE… TELECOMMUNICATIONS SAVE LIVES

AUTHORITY CITIZEN AUTHORITY CITIZEN FOUR COMMUNICATION IMPERATIVES Alarm dissemination Coordination AUTHORITY CITIZEN Request information and provide feedback on impact of disaster

ICT : MULTI-HAZARD APPROACH Hurricane Floods Volcano Earthquake Fire Tsunami

MULTI-TECHNOLOGY FOR MULTI-HAZARDS Volcano Earthquake Tsunami Flood Fire

Telecommunication standardization - network and service aspects ABOUT ITU 191 Member States 700 Sector Members 100 Sector Associates ITU Helping the World Communicate ITU-T Telecommunication standardization - network and service aspects ITU-D Assistance delivery and implementation of telecommunications in developing countries ITU-R Radiocommunication standardization and global radio spectrum management

ENHANCED COORDINATION IN EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS ITU Deputy Secretary-General Chairs Inter-Sectoral Group On Emergency Telecoms ITU-D Coordinates all Sectors at operational level ITU-T ITU-R

ITU’s COMPLETE PACKAGE TO DISASTER MITIGATION The Mitigation Onion Layer Approach (MOLA) 3. Prevention Raising awareness using ICTs and building preventive measures in projects 1. Risk assessment/ Analysis (intensity + probability) 4. Preparedness Early warning + temporary measures 2. Early Warning - forecasting dissemination - Provision of timely and effective information 5. Risk Management Policies, strategies + practices aimed at disaster risk reduction

BACKGROUND TEXTS: ITU-T (STANDARDS) International Emergency Preference Scheme (Rec.E.106 Call Preference scheme) Interoperability of telecommunication networks (ITU-T Rec. H.323) Overview of the requirements, features, and concept for emergency telecoms for Next Generation Networks (NGN) (ITU-T Y. 1271) Message broadcast capability for IP systems H.323 Multimedia and VoIP (ITU-T H. 460.21)

New by ITU-T Common Alert Protocol (CAP) Standard alert message format that can be used for a wide range of alert types Including early warning and dissemination Developed originally by OASIS Good acceptance by industry and user communities Currently: work item to be formally accepted within ITU-T SG 17 (Security, languages and telecommunication software) Approval expected early 2008 Next: Support of CAP in ITU-T defined systems Refinements to the spec Recommendation expected by end of May 2007

BACKGROUND TEXTS: ITU-R (RADIOCOMMUNICATION) Res.646 (WRC-03): Public Protection and Disaster Relief Encouraging regionally harmonized bands/ranges for public protection and relief. Region 1:380-470 Mhz Region 2:746-806 Mhz, 806-869 Mhz, 4940-4990 Mhz. Region 3:406.1-430Mhz, 440-470Mhz, 806-824/851-869 Mhz Application of amateur and amateur satellite services (Rec. M.1042-2) Support to emergency broadcasting, maritime and public safety signals

ITU-R: DISASTER PREDICTION, DETECTION, ALERTING AND RELIEF Disaster activities Radiocommunication service involved Prediction and Detection ▪Meteorological services ▪Earth exploration and satellite service Alerting and Relief ▪Amateur services ▪Broadcasting services and satellite (radio, TV etc) ▪Fixed services terrestrial and satellite ▪Mobile services (land, satellite, maritime, etc)

Regionally Harmonized Bands (ITU-R)

BACKGROUND TEXTS: ITU-D (DEVELOPMENT) WTDC-06 Resolution 34: “The role of telecommunications/ICT in early warning and mitigation of disasters and humanitarian assistance.” requesting the BDT “to support administrations in their work towards the implementation of the Tampere Convention,” and ITU-D should strengthen the link between telecommunication development and disaster. WTDC-06: ITU-D Study Group 2 (Question 22/2): “Utilization of ICT for disaster management and active and passive space-based sensing systems as they apply to disaster prediction, detection and mitigation.” PP-06 Resolution 36: “Telecommunications/ICT in the service of humanitarian assistance” inviting Member States “to work towards their accession to the Tampere Convention as a matter of priority” and also, “to take all practical steps for the application of the Tampere Convention.” PP-06 Resolution 136:“The use of ICT for monitoring and management in emergency and disaster situations for early warning, prevention, mitigation and relief.” To support technical studies through ITU study Groups Support the development of robust, comprehensive, all-hazards emergency and disaster early warning, mitigation and relief systems

ITU-D: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS (1) Telecommunication /ICT Development and Deployment Incorporating resilience and reducing vulnerability Focus on Universal Access Training and Capacity building of Government Agencies, Radio Amateurs, NGOS, etc Best Practices Handbooks Case Studies

ITU-D: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS (2) Help Establish Appropriate: Legal Framework at National, Regional and International levels Tampere Convention ratification and implementation Regulatory Framework Licensing regimes Frequency usage Policy framework

ITU-D: RESPONSE AND RELIEF OPERATIONS ▪ Deployment of Satellite terminals for telemedicine and voice (disaster relief) e.g. ▪ Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Suriname, etc. ▪ Post Disaster Network Damage Assessments e.g. ▪ Indonesia, Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka ▪ Network Rehabilitation and GIS e.g. Indonesia

EXAMPLE OF PARTNERSHIPS THAT WORK ROHDE & SCHWARZ ITU & ITU SECTOR MEMBERS THURAYA INMARSAT FRANCE TELECOM

ONGOING AND FUTURE WORK Publication of Best Practices and Designing of Model National Emergency Plans Compendium on ITU-T, ITU-R, and ITU-D work Protocols for Automatic TV, Radio and Telephone on-switching capability Back-up ICT/Telecommunication systems (satellite) ITU Framework for Cooperation in Emergencies (IFCE)

ITU Framework for Cooperation in Emergencies (IFCE) Eminent Industry Champion Eminent Corporate Champion Eminent Corporate Champion Finance Cluster ▪Governments ▪Private Sector ▪Development Banks ▪Regional Economic Groups Logistics Cluster ▪Air Transport operators ▪International Couriers Technology Cluster ▪Satellite operators and Land Earth station operators ▪Telecom Operators ▪GIS/Remote sensing service providers ▪Radiocommunications Equipment Providers

STRATEGIES IN THE USE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOR DISASTER MITIGATION KEY STRATEGIES IN THE USE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOR DISASTER MITIGATION

Bridging the Gap between Rural and Urban (universal Access) ICT should be high on the national development agenda Introduce low-cost, affordable ICT/telecommunication technologies ICT should provide a link for all citizens Focus on Community based approaches rather than households (universal access rather than universal service)

Strategies: Embrace Convergence Broadcasting TV ICTs for Disaster Mitigation Broadcasting Radio Info. Technology Internet Wifi, Wifi-Max Telecoms Fixed Mobile

Strategies: Harmonize Laws and Regulations Adoption of appropriate treaties such as the Tampere Convention Open standards that can help interoperability of networks and prioritization of calls The “Tampere Hall” in Tampere Finland, where the Treaty on Telecommunication For Disaster Mitigation and Relief was signed on 18 June 1998.

Strategies: Concluding Forge Multi-stakeholder Partnerships Adopt relevant standards Develop and deploy appropriate technologies Multidisciplinary approach Effective frequency management

CALL FOR PARTNERS SHARED VISION SHARED OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES RESULTING IN WIN-WIN OUTCOMES

THANK YOU Dr. COSMAS L. ZAVAZAVA Tel: +41 22 730 5447 cosmas.zavazava@itu.int www.itu.int/itu-d/emergencytelecoms