E-RESILIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Ms. Atsuko Okuda, Chief IDS ICT and Development Section ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division ESCAP
Introduction What is E-Resilience? ICT plays a pivotal role in all stages of disaster management Addressed holistically, e-resilience has the potential to reduce disaster risks and improve disaster management and preparedness Definition of Resilience the capacity of countries to withstand, adapt to, and recover from natural disasters and major economic crises- so that their people can continue to lead the kind of life they value (ESCAP, 2013) Definition of E-Resilience the ability of ICT systems to withstand, recover from and change in the face of an external disturbance such as a natural disaster.
3 Sustainable Development Goals
E- Resilience for Sustainable Development 4 Why E-resilience for Sustainable Development? Goal 9: building resilient infrastructure - Target 9.c seeks to considerably increase access to ICT and provide universal access to the internet in LDCs by 2020 ICT is a growth sector as well as a key enabler for sustainable development ICT can accelerate the implementation of SDGs in the region, e- resilience is essential for sustainable development
5 E-Resilience essential steps Source: Asia Pacific Disaster Report, 2015
6 Disaster Risk in Asia-Pacific Region
Asia-Pacific is increasingly at risk Between the 1970s and the decade 2005-2014 damage from disasters increased from $52 billion to over $523 billion. Based on present trends, by 2030, annual losses in the region could average US$160 billion a year.
People living at extreme to high disaster risk in cities: predicted to rise from 742 to 980 million by 2030 8 Source: ESCAP, 2015
Thousands 9 South and South West Asia is at high risk By sub-region 2005-2014 South and South West Asia has high seismic and flood risks It is one of the most disaster prone sub-region with a high number of deaths (1,22,000) over the period 2005-2014 It is also the second most disaster prone sub-region with around 497 events a) Occurrence 600 500 400 300 200 100 ENEA SEA SSWA NCA Pacific 200 150 100 50 b) Deaths ENEA SEA SSWA NCA Pacific Source: ESCAP, 2015
Countries with Special Needs (CSNs) are particularly at risk 10 Small island economies and least developed countries are disproportionally affected CSNs have low capacity to respond to disasters CSNs face special challenges such as limited access to ICT and space infrastructure, a shortage of human capital and a lack of technical capacity
11 AP-IS can build E-Resilience in the region Regional Initiative supported by ESCAP member countries A regional broadband network covering ESCAP Member countries and associate Member countries from Turkey to Kiribati It can addresses the causes of digital divides, develop Internet ecosystem which supports the implementation of the SDGs and stimulate digital economy
12 AP-IS Four Pillars Resilient ICT Networks Support to disaster management systems Ensuring last mile disaster communication E- Resilience Traffic/ Network Mgmt Connectivity Broadband for all
13 Critical factors for E-Resilience Some of the critical factors for e-resilience in the context of Asia- Pacific information superhighway, are as follows: (a) shortening the time needed for restoration after a disaster; (b) knowing disaster risks and designing for resilience; (c) ensuring last-mile connectivity; (d) promoting mobile and other communication means for redundancy and emergency communications; and (e) exploring innovative mobile, GIS and space applications and big data
DRM Phases ICT Roles Key Tasks ICT for its own resilience Risk Prevention Improving riskinformed measures For investments, strategies, operations E-resilience Matrix Not to create new risks Not to exacerbate existing risks Avoid and transfer risks Risk Reduction Mitigating the chance of disaster-induced disruption, damage, losses Address the underlying risk factors Reduce vulnerability Increase capacity /protection Retrofit assets and capital Reduce exposure Invest in early warning Preparedness and Response Lessening the impacts by preparing and being able to respond to disaster Continuity plan Redundancy / backup Response readiness Training and drills Contingency planning Emergency mechanisms Early recovery Recovery Restoring and bouncing stronger Of functions, recover assets and operations, and to build back better Rapid assessment Estimate needs Recovery strategy Invest to reduce future risks ICT for society s resilience ICT to improve risk assessments ICT for better analysis ICT for development planning Risk databases GIS, RS, ST for DRR Knowledge, innovation, Enhance coordination ICT for preparedness Assessment and emergency decision making Enhance risk monitoring & Enhance communication warning and coordination Rapid assessments and detailed PDNA Enhance future investments
Cost-benefit of E-resilience Acquisition price Research time Operations and maintenance System upgrade Consumables Redundancy Enhanced decision making Security System integrity Privacy & confidentiality
E-resilience options ICT Applications Advantages Disadvantages Cell Broadcasting Not affected by traffic load. Will not add to congestion Messages can be differentiated by cells or sets of cells. Greater authenticity of message. GIS and Remote Sensing Continuous monitoring. Spatial presentation of data. Facilitates cooperative effort. Must be literate Phone must be switched on Phone must be set to receive cell broadcasting. Require high bandwidth and high speed Costly hardware, software, and skills Difficulty capturing qualitative data Internet/Email Interactive Multiple sources can be checked for accuracy of information. Mobile Phone (Text SMS) High penetration rate Portable. Relatively low cost Low penetration rate Must be literate Content in local languages may be limited. Must be literate No indication that message is generated by a legitimate authority Subject to congestion and thereby delay Radio One-to-many broadcasting Less effective at night. Does not require user to be literate Portable. Satellite Communications Independent of terrestrial communication network that can High cost of systems hardware and bandwidth be damaged by natural hazards utilization Unlikely to work indoors. Telephone Does not require user to be literate. Inadequate penetration rates. Congestion of phone lines during emergencies Disasters can damage infrastructure. Television One-to-many broadcasting. Does not require user to be literate Less effective at night. ESCAP/ Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information, 2009, ICT for Disaster Risk Reduction
17 Way Forward Enhance e-resilience through use of existing and innovative technology Ensure last-mile connectivity Just as every sector can be affected by disasters, so every sector needs to consider how to make its activities disaster resilient, particularly ICT Mainstream DRR and resilient ICT into national policies and plans Build regional cooperation for knowledge sharing and capacity building
THANK YOU For further information please contact: Ms. Atsuko Okuda: okuda@un.org