The first 72 hours following a natural disaster are critical. This window of time is when emergency responders are most able to save lives, and when swift assessments of damage are urgently needed. Communication in this period is essential to facilitate the flow of information between governments, communities and humanitarian organizations. A disaster situation with a severely disrupted telecommunication infrastructure magnifies chaos and uncertainty. Poor communication between responders can severely hamper assessment and relief efforts, and prevent affected populations from connecting with responders and relatives. The resulting rise in ad-hoc and uncoordinated communication methods further complicates the emergency response.
Mobile communication networks are the pre-eminent way for an affected population to communicate with the world in and beyond a disaster zone. Although utilised before, the power of mobile became particularly evident in the aftermath of the 2010 Haitian earthquake which saw a proliferation of new coordination and response strategies that were built around this platform. The mobile phone and in particular voice calls are people’s primary method of communication in a disaster. As mobile communication becomes ubiquitous and its role in disaster response increases, a renewed commitment to creating robust mobile networks that can support effective communication during this period is essential.
The GSMA Disaster Response Programme will engage in a two-tiered programme that seeks to understand how mobile operators can most effectively support each other and improve resilience among networks in disaster scenarios, and to identify how the mobile industry can best help citizens and humanitarian organisations on the ground following a crisis. The Coordination Work Stream will focus its efforts on addressing the challenge faced by operators in managing relationships with, and requestsfrom, humanitarian response organisations. It will explore the growing role of mobiles and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in disasters, and create strategies to maximise their participation in responding to emergencies. The working groups will work towards achieving improved standards of practice, accountability, coordination and support for disaster-affected populations and the humanitarian response community.
The Technical Work Stream will focus on the technical challenges faced by MNOs before, during and after disasters. It will provide a forum for mobile operators to discuss issues and work toward industry cooperation. The working groups will contribute to the creation of a live blueprint that will evolve to suggest practical methods operators can use to improve their coordination, preparedness, resilience and ability to respond to the disasters specific to their locations. This discussion document presents the intention of the GSMA Disaster Response Programme in proposing key technical challenges faced by MNOs before, during and after disasters. It aims to open a discussion about which challenges are most important and to pave the way for creating and implementing working solutions.With the participation and commitment of the GSMA membership, this document will evolve into alive,regularly updated blueprint for addressing these challenges, implementing solutions and developing industry-wide standards that will improve the reliability, durability and effectiveness of the mobile network in a disaster.
(http://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Dealing-with-Disasters_Final.pdf)
Calamities are affects to others because the electricity is temporary power outage (or also called a power blackout). We can't communicate people because their cellphones are no signals or might also battery low. We can still communicate/listen through radio to figure out what's going on or to know when the disaster fade away or not. But we do not know when power go back on. Although, we can't communicate to others, we need to be alert and be careful in the disaster. Be safe!
Calamities are affects to others because the electricity is temporary power outage (or also called a power blackout). We can't communicate people because their cellphones are no signals or might also battery low. We can still communicate/listen through radio to figure out what's going on or to know when the disaster fade away or not. But we do not know when power go back on. Although, we can't communicate to others, we need to be alert and be careful in the disaster. Be safe!
