1. ITU Area Representative,
The Role of information and Telecommunication Technology (ICT) in Saving Lives
Mr. Cleveland Thomas
ITU Area Representative,
Caribbean Countries
Nassau,
November 2017

2. Freak Storm Devastates Saint Lucia, Dominica and St
Freak Storm Devastates Saint Lucia, Dominica and St. Vincent on Christmas Eve – 2013
Damaged taxiway in Vieux Fort; Hewanorra Airport flooded – St. Lucia
Flooded home (waist high) & Roadways become raging rivers – Dominica
Dead & Missing
St. Vincent – 9 reported dead; 3 missing
St. Lucia – 6 six lost their lives in.
Dominica – 1 person was reported missing
Affected population, Infrastructure & Cost
St. Vincent – 13, 029 persons affected; 30 homes destroyed; 135 damaged ; > US $156 Million loss
St. Lucia – 19, 982 persons affected;
Dominica – 185 persons affected; 6 homes destroyed; 65 damaged; Rehabilitation of infrastructure and mitigation measures are estimated at US $ 17 Million
This storm was like nothing ever seen in this part of the Caribbean. There was virtually non-stop lightening and crackling thunder, along with incessant heavy rain for well over 24 hours. It forced many to give some serious thought to the implications of climate change and the extreme and increasingly erratic nature of global weather. AND THAT WAS 2013 !!
Like Dominica and St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Saint Lucia suffered massive infrastructural damage as a result of the freak storm. Several parts of the island were ravaged by landslides and flash floods caused by unseasonal heavy rains and overflowing rivers that burst their banks.

3. TROPICAL STORM ERIKA - Dominica August 27, 2015
Inundated Douglas Charles Airport; Flooded homes – South of Dominica; Washed away infrastructure on vital E.O. LeBlac Highway – West Coast
Primary School on precarious edge; Petite Savanne – Evacuation by Sea; First responders evacuating residents; Loss of property & vital equipment
Telecommunications: Severely damaged or destroyed with no Cell Phone service or other communication in affected areas

4. TROPICAL STORM ERIKA - August 27, 2015
Impact on Population
Out of a total population of 72,340 persons,
Confirmed dead – 11 persons,
Missing – persons,
Injured –
Homeless – persons
Houses Destroyed – 48
Houses Damaged – 84
Evacuated –
Special Disaster Areas – 9
Approx. Pop. 7,229 impacted by the event in disaster declared areas.
Impact on Economy
Total damage & loss – EC$1.3 billion (US$483 Mil.),
Loss equivalent to approximately 90% of Dominica’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)1.
Loss in Transport sector (60 percent),
Loss in Housing sector (11 percent)
Loss in Agriculture sector (10 percent).

5. Hurricane Matthew – Haiti October 27, 2015
Infrastructural damage to Roads & Bridges; Homes destroyed or inundated; Loss of livelihood
Impact on Population Impact on economy
Confirmed dead – 546 persons, Missing – persons, Loss of US $ 2.4 Billion
Injured – persons Homeless – persons Nearly complete crop damage
Evacuated – 175,509 persons Families affected – 115,000 nearly US$120 million in aid,
Est. Nation wide homes affected 200, nearly US$120 million in aid,
Telecommunications: Severely damaged or destroyed with no Cell Phone service
Nationwide, Matthew damaged over 400 schools, while 150 other schools functioned as shelters for around 16,000 evacuees. Damage to schools affected about 130,000 children, many of whom had just started their school year, and were in need of a new location for their education. Of the nation's 15 main hospitals, one was destroyed and another four were damaged, with 35 medical clinics damaged, many of these were understaffed and unable to cope with the number of incoming patients

6. Hurricane Irma, Jose, Maria – Barbuda, BVI, Dominica!: Sept. 2017
Devastated Homes; Category 5 Hurricane Maria over Dominica Decimated rain forest
For Hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria, the numbers are still being compiled of the dead or missing, the Impact on human lives, the economic and social implications of such catastrophic losses to these countries. Hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria ripped through the entire the Northern Caribbean. Barbuda was flattened and so was the BVI, USVI, Turks & Caicos and the untold, mind-bugling devastation in Dominica.
Forest reduced to splinters in Capital Telecommunication Towers snapped in two Roads and Bridges destroyed

7. Disasters are on Rise

8. Disasters affect EVERYONE
But they impact poor and vulnerable the most
LOW INCOME COUNTRIES ACCOUNT ONLY FOR 9% OF THE WORLDS DISASTERS, BUT ……
48%
OF FATALIITIES
Disasters disrupt national economies, and severely weaken the poor and vulnerable communities.
Disasters are recognized as major impediments to sustainable development and the reduction of poverty, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States.
When disasters strike, they leave a legacy of lost or broken lives and economic damage. The impact is even worse for those living in remote and isolated areas with
no access to basic information and communication facilities that are essential in providing the alerts so vital to saving lives.
The ITU considers emergency telecommunications to be a core element of its projects that integrate telecommunications/information and communication technologies in disaster prediction, detection and alerting.
Emergency telecommunications play a critical role in the immediate aftermath of disasters by ensuring the timely flow of vital information that is much needed by government agencies and other humanitarian actors involved in rescue operations and providing medical assistance to the injured.

9. DISASTER IMPACTS (2005 – 2014)

10. Role of ICTs in Emergencies
PREPAREDNESS
Vital role – Governments develop disaster management policies, regulation, and legal frameworks development. Implementation of ICT projects and capacity building activities.
COMMUNICATION
Communication with people affected is critical. Radio, Television, mobiles – Internet.
MITIGATION
Early Warning Systems, Establish Evacuation Centers – Advise people. Radio, Mobile

11. ITU & Emergency Telecommunications
Emergency telecommunications is an integral part of Telecommunications Development Bureau (BDT). Emergency Telecommunications division implements activities related to telecommunications/ICTs in disaster management and disaster risk reduction.
Multi-Hazard
Multi-Technology
Multi-Phased
Multi-Stakeholder
ITU work principles in regards to emergency telecommunication
MULTI HAZARD : Whether natural or man-made, disasters come in different forms (cyclones, floods, droughts, tsunamis, fire, earthquakes). Telecommunications provide the necessary medium and link to mitigate disasters irrespective of their nature
MULTI TECHNOLOGY : In mitigating disastrous effects of hazards, we promote the use of any form and means of communication that can contribute to universal access or access by the majority of the people. Those with access to broadcasting radio receivers, Internet, mobile phones, etc. should be able to be reached wherever they are.
MULTI PHASED : Preventive and proactive strategies have a great potential to reduce vulnerability of communities. In our work, we find telecommunications critical at all stages (prevention, preparedness, response and relief of disaster management.) Reconstruction of disrupted telecommunication networks is also an important element in ensuring sustainable development.
MULTISTAKEHOLDER : It is only through forging partnerships with our development partners that we may ensure access to ICTs by especially those in remote rural communities. The local community, the central government, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations can rally to contribute to the development of ICTs that can result in a truly information society.

12. ITU Areas of Action Disaster Risk reduction Disaster Management
Climate change mitigation and adaptation
focuses on mitigation
preparedness aspects of the emergency cycle
a systematic process that aims to reduce the negative impacts or consequences of adverse events.
a response that seeks to reduce the vulnerability of natural and human systems to climate change effects.
Development and Review of National Emergency Telecommunication Plans
Formulation and review of Standard Operating Procedures, Policies and Appropriate Regulations
Deployment of Emergency Telecommunication Equipment for preparedness, response and reconstruction.
Human and Institutional Capacity Building through workshops, conferences and various forums.
Forging Stakeholder Partnerships as a form of resource mobilization.
Project Design and Implementation (Early Warning Systems, Remote Sensing, etc)

13. ITU Emergency Telecommunication Assistance
During disaster ITU provides assistance with:
Satellite Phones
Satellite Terminals (BGANs, VSATs, etc)
Training on Equipment if needed
Airtime Costs
Freight Costs to and from the country
Providing a communication equipment for the government that is critical in:
Coordinating first responder rescue and relief operations;
Setting up telemedicine links between hospitals and medics in the field;
Providing call centers where disaster victims can contact their loved ones.
Coordinating infrastructure recovery/re-building operations.
Partners donate equipment and cash

14. ITU deploys emergency telecom equipment to Antigua & Barbuda, Haiti & Dominica – September 2017
Haiti, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, received emergency telecommunications equipment:
70 satellite phones, peripherals & accessories;
13 BGANs, peripherals & accessories;
33 Solar Chargers & accessories and
2 VSATs (Dominica), peripherals & accessories to support humanitarian relief and initial recovery efforts and for further coordination for recovery and reconstruction activities in different locations on the islands.
including 8 satellite phones and 3 BGANs that were deployed specifically for coordination among CDEMA, other responding units, first responders and Communities.
The Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) is a global satellite network with telephony using portable terminals. The terminals are normally used to connect a laptop computer to broadband Internet in remote locations, although as long as line-of-sight to the satellite exists, the terminal can be used anywhere.

15. Method of Request for Assistance
Immediate Information/Action Needed from Disaster-Affected Administrations:
Contact Emergency Telecommunication Team and/or ITU Regional Office.
Indication as to number of satellite phones and/or other emergency telecom equipment needed to restore vital communication links
Arrangements for customs clearance
Designated Focal Point and contact details
Exact Address where equipment will be delivered
Advise ITU about designated focal point to call in times of emergency.
Governments or Relief Organizations send a requests to the ITU/BDT
An agreement will be signed between ITU and the requesting country or organization
ITU will respond quickly to send equipment
Countries use equipment for 3 months and can be extended for a further 3 months
Countries pack equipment and contact ITU/BDT for the freight company to use –( in some cases the Regional Coast Guards or Responders assist in transportation).

16. SO WHERE ARE WE AT?
We need to move forward with developing strategies to minimize the impact of natural disasters
We need to ensure our countries have effective disaster management policy
We need to develop National emergency telecommunication plans that link to national disaster management policies
An equipped Emergency Communications Center is a MUST !
Training on coordination/communication between ECC & EOC
Do NOT forget the Tampere Convention
In the Caribbean only Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are signatories or have acceded to the Tampere Convention.
The Tampere Convention became important during the trans-shipment of Telecommunications Equipment (2 VSATs) through Barbados to Dominica.
The Tampere Convention calls on States to facilitate the provision of prompt telecommunication assistance to mitigate the impact of a disaster, and covers both the installation and operation of reliable, flexible telecommunication services. Regulatory barriers that impede the use of telecommunication resources for disasters are waived. These barriers include the licensing requirements to use allocated frequencies, restrictions on the import of telecommunication equipment, as well as limitations on the movement of humanitarian teams.

17. CONCLUDING REMARKS
Important: Develop a National Emergency Telecommunication Plan (NETP) and integrate into Disaster Management Plans
Establish multi-disciplinary partnerships – Know your partners!
Develop and use ICTs for disaster prediction, detection monitoring, and response
Design and Develop Early Warning Systems
Establish collaboration platforms to share information for better preparedness and response
Strengthen Institutional Capacities through training
Train local people on amateur radio technology

18. Thank You Cleveland Thomas
ITU Area Representative, Caribbean Countries