APPLICATIONS OF SPACE BASED TECHNOLOGY (SBT) AND INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) TO STRENGTHEN DISASTER RESILIENCE

摘要

Space-Based Technology (SBT) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are emerging as important tools for strengthening disaster resilience through collecting and sharing reliable disaster-related data and information. While through SBT, data can be collected from the top over a large area, the ICT can provide house-level data from the ground in real-time. SBT, especially remote sensing is one of the fastest means for acquiring data for analysis of pre-disaster and post-disaster situations. Satellite data with its favourable synoptic view and repetitive coverage offers a possibility for mapping and monitoring in disaster affected areas through emergency observations undertaken by various regional and international initiatives such as Sentinel Asia and International Charter for Space and Major Disasters. Data acquired by SBT are being used for rapid damage assessment. On the other hand. ICT such as latest generation of mobile phones and their state-of-the-art applications have brought revolutions in mapping even in remote locations as well as disseminating early warnings to the "last mile". Mobile phones can determine and provide locations to its users and recent advances in mobile phone applications have made it possible to users to collect, manage, and share geo-spatial data. With geo-spatial data handling capabilities, the latest generation of mobile phones can be used very effectively for Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM). including early warnings and possibly emergency evacuations at local level, given the high penetration of mobile phones to most of the developing countries in recent years. This paper examines the possibility of augmenting the capacity of the local governments as well as at the communities in Bangladesh to collect and share reliable data and information related to hazards and exposures at local level to strengthen their disaster resilience and support for disaster preparedness and timely post-disaster response, recovery. and reconstruction for reduction in loss of life and damage to property.