The “Using ICT for Effective Disaster Management Forum in Jamaica” achieved its goals of promoting, facilitating and enhancing stakeholders understanding of how they can effectively use ICT to mitigate the effects of natural disasters. Its aims were to reduce the vulnerability of nations and regions to natural disasters; help increase the capacity of policy makers, ICT regulators, private sector actors and civil society organisations to prepare and respond effectively to natural disasters at local, national and regional levels were all successfully fulfilled.

The CTO believes that endowing stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of how ICT can be effectively used in the event of disaster will ultimately save lives and mitigate the devastating impact of natural disasters on the socio-economic infrastructure of a nation and region. This was why the CTO, along with our joint organiser’s the ITU, were happy to make this event free for everyone, as it was vital for as many stakeholders as possible to attend this event hosted by Jamaica’s Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR).We managed to attract numerous stakeholders during the event, making it a more intense experience for those who attended, which included:

• The World's leading experts on disaster management and mitigation
• Officials from the Caribbean’s national and regional regulatory authorities
• ICT Ministers
• Ministers responsible for disaster management
• Representatives from civil society and community based organisations
• Senior representatives from regional coordination and intergovernmental bodies.
• Senior representatives of multilateral and bilateral organisations.
• Leading members of the private sector

The first two days of the Forum saw participants witness and discuss presentations by the World’s leading experts in disaster management. On the third day, stakeholders worked together to produce log frames that highlighted how they could use ICT to effectively manage disasters.

The “Using ICT for Effective Disaster Management”  Log Frames proved to be effective tools for those currently developing national disaster management strategies, which was the focus of discussions for the entire final afternoon.

From this ground-breaking forum, participants gained useful skills which they then went on to use in later situations. Skills acquired included:

• Improved understanding of how ICT can be used to enhance stakeholders' efforts in all four phases of disaster management
• Enhanced ability to benchmark existing systems and plans against internationally-recognised best of class systems and best practice
• Developed practical tools that will form an important part of specific disaster management strategies and initiatives
• Built effective working relationships with many national and regional stakeholders in effective disaster management and mitigation
• Became part of a peer reviews mechanism that can enhance national and regional coordination for disaster management
• Examined key case studies concerning the use of ICT in disaster management
• Received comprehensive updates on what various organisations have learnt from their recent experiences with the Asian Tsunami and other disasters

Click here for the rapporteur report

Click here to view the presentations

To review the programme

For More information contact Kojo Boakye, Deputy Programme Manager, Email: k.boakye@cto.int  Tel: +44 (0) 208 834 1567