Earthquakes, storms, droughts and floods have been leading causes of death from natural disasters for many years, affecting all regions around the world. Recent figures show that natural disasters caused a lot of damage and affected millions of people around the world.
Man-made disasters include hazardous material accidents, explosions and act of terrorism. They too affect humans, other organisms, biomes and ecosystems. One of the biggest disaster in world history is the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in which millions of people died and thousands of people suffered from cancer. Due to the long term effects of radiation exposure, mutations in the genes were caused which lead to abnormalities in the new born children.
With advancements in technology such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, it makes easier for scientists to process and interpret a large amount of data, predict weather and analyse its impact on populations.
Number people die every year due to natural disasters. Aid agencies and rescue teams mostly depend on technology to conduct rescue missions and help people who have been affected. Over the years, new technologies have been developed to improve the efficiency of responders that helps in enhancement of the process of mitigation …
In today’s word, everyone has a smartphone with them at all times, meaning that, one’s phone is one of the most utile tools , when it comes to responding to a disaster.
Technology can go everywhere, even to the places where people cannot. Whether it is unmanned aerial vehicles (also known as drones) which can fly without fear of losing any person’s life, or infrared cameras which are used to uncover survivors, hence increasing the success of critical rescue efforts.
Technology enables people from different places to connect when they need it the most.
During a disaster, connectivity is a form of aid that connects people to the resources essential for survival and enables humanitarian organizations to deliver important information as soon as possible.
Social media is one of the most powerful platform to exchange information. Apps like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter have made it easier to circulate news and spread information about a marooned person in danger. Social media and other digital platforms provide a new way for organizations and their beneficiaries to communicate and spread awareness among public.
Nowadays, through the rapid increase in number of mobile and social media solutions, relief communications have resulted to the benefit of all. This includes the development of understanding of both service provider as well as the people who are in need of those services, leading to faster, more efficient responses which ultimately support beneficiaries.
Also, big data analytics creates a new era of intelligence for disaster response and record. Very large amounts of data are created during times of disaster including personal and medical data, the geolocation of roads, the tracking of survivors, and more. To manage such data is extremely challenging , but when efficaciously employed, it provides crucial information on which to act, prioritizes and optimizes response efforts and through crowdsourcing, increases situational awareness.
Technology, although cannot stop a disaster but it can definitely reduce its effect on the mankind and nature. It cannot delay a disaster but can help people to get prepared for it. By providing proper education and creating awareness in public about the preparedness for disaster, do’s and don’ts during a disaster and disaster management, technology can be an answer to disasters.
Successful emergency management relies upon experience, expertise and technology.
