New technologies and disaster information resources

Part 2. The right Part 2. The right information, at the information, at the right time, the right right time, the right wayway

Disaster management: a Disaster management: a discipline “hungry” for discipline “hungry” for informationinformation

A multidisciplinary and intersectoral activity.

A wide variety of products and information resources.

An appropriate information infrastructure -- more than just the physical component, a change in the way we work.

The right information . The right information . . .. .

Information NeedsInformation Needs

Relevant information

Timely information Up-to-date

information Consistent

information

Provide value added for Provide value added for usersusers

DISASTERS

HURRICANESEPIDEMIOLOGY

CONTACTS

HOMELESS

EARTHQUAKES

RELIEF

DAMAGES

What gives value What gives value added to disaster added to disaster information?information? A reliable source Speed Quality and relevance of content Organization A combination of resources Has a focus It’s up-to-date Good design and easy to navigate

What kind of information are What kind of information are we talking about?we talking about? Risk reduction information

hazards and the environment in which they coexist

the elements -- physical and human -- at risk and the degree of vulnerability

community awareness of their of risk and degree to which they accept this risk

Wide variety of disciplines

Past, present and future

Public Information

Technical and training material

Up-to-date information on disasters

Evaluating a web siteEvaluating a web site

Some questions . . .Some questions . . .

What functions do you like to see on a web site?

Normally, do you browse through a site or do you use the site’s internal search engine?

Name several things you expect to see on a web site.

Criteria for evaluating a web Criteria for evaluating a web sitesite Authority

Who is the author? What relationship to the topic does he/she

have? Can you contact the author?

Objectivity Is the objective of the site clear to you? Is the “ownership” clearly identified? Is the information impartial?

CriteriaCriteria

Up-to-date When was the information generated? Has it been updated recently?

Design Do the visual effects complement the

information? Do you have options--to view just text or

without frames? Does the site require plug-ins?

What makes a good web What makes a good web site?site?

Simplicity Graphics, fonts, colors Ease of navigation Avoid needless animation Reduce “download” time Good (and working!) “links” Up-to-date information Include “meta tags” A search engine Quality control

A web site will fail if it A web site will fail if it does not offer a real or does not offer a real or perceived value to perceived value to users.users.

S I L

E N C

E

A lack of feedback does not A lack of feedback does not necessarily signal accpetance!necessarily signal accpetance!

Identify the consumersIdentify the consumers

Who are you targeting with the information you generate?

Who communicates with your organization to request information?

The Internet is a two-way street

Who are these Who are these information consumers?information consumers?

Disaster authorities or managers in an affected (or at risk) country

The international community: cooperation agencies and donors

The national and local community

…who else?

The right The right informationinformationat the right at the right

time . . .time . . .

In disaster situations, In disaster situations, information is used information is used for . . .for . . .

Coordination of Coordination of international assistance international assistance

Assessment of damages Assessment of damages and needs and needs

The Internet has a role The Internet has a role before, during and after before, during and after disasters :disasters :

Before (preparedness, mitigation, prevention): research and studies.

During (response): assessment of damages and needs; coordination of of aid

After: collection and analysis of data; lessons learned; institutional memory

Between disasters….Between disasters….

We have the luxury of time.

During disasters,During disasters,the key word is:the key word is:

S P E E D !S P E E D !

The disaster environment has The disaster environment has inherent problems:inherent problems:

Competition

Rumors

Difficulty in updating information

High demand for High demand for informationinformation

Communication with information sources is hampered.

Information is centralized

Type of information required

Acceptable response time

Incoming traffic following Incoming traffic following Hurricane Mitch, 1998Hurricane Mitch, 1998

1 Oct 10 16 27 Oct 1 Nov 10 16 27 Nov 1 Dic 10 16 27 Dic

Fecha

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14Bits/segundo

TráficoEntrante

Saliente

The reality during The reality during disasters . . . disasters . . .

Then we change directions!

We run like crazy . . .

The right The right information at the information at the

right time, right time, the right way . . .the right way . . .

The right path . . . The right path . . .

Support the creation of disaster information centers or services.

Can be integrated into existing facilities.

Critical for sustainability: quality and institutional support.

Information Infrastructure: Information Infrastructure: ComponentsComponents

A culture of information

Sufficient personnel

Good coordination processes

Good information products

Work guidelines and standards

Supportive institutional structure

A minimum level of physical resources.

Good coordination Good coordination requires an open work requires an open work environment and cannot environment and cannot thrive in isolation. thrive in isolation.

The Internet is an excellent tool for achieving this.

In summary, what can we In summary, what can we do to get the do to get the

rightright informationinformation to the to the rightright peoplepeople at the at the rightright timetime in the in the rightright wayway??

What can we do? What can we do?

Make more agile and efficient the process of preparing information in electronic format and posting it on the Internet.

Become better promoters of our electronic information products.

INFORMATIO

N

Avoid bottlenecksAvoid bottlenecks

The technology exists . . .

. . . The challenge is getting the information to those who need it.

Promote collaboration Promote collaboration between information between information teams and content teams and content expertsexperts

SUBJECT SUBJECT EXPERTSEXPERTS

INFORMATICSINFORMATICSDOCUMENTATION DOCUMENTATION

CENTERSCENTERS

Strengthen our position and

reputation as principal sources of

disaster management information

in the Caribbean.