Better Emergency Communications

LIRNEasia video on the use of voice and SMS for disaster management.


Sri Lanka was made well aware of disaster risks during the 2004 tsunami. There was no proper warning, even as the deadly waves wrapped around the coast, killing around 35,000 people. In more recent tsunami alerts the warning system was better, if still somewhat ad hoc and unofficial. Today at 3 o’clock, LIRNEasia researcher Nuwan Waidyanatha will discuss what a better warning system can be.

These are the lecture details:

The 3rd LIRNEasia Disaster Risk Reduction Lecture will be held on 19 June 2012, Tuesday at 1500 hrs at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, 100 Independence Square, Colombo 7. Making emergency communication effective

It’s an important topic not only because Sri Lanka is prone to tsunamis, but also because we have ongoing issues with floods, landslides, cyclones, et cetera. Deaths here are largely preventable due to information, so it should be interesting to see how voice, SMS and computer technologies can be used to better manage disasters, disseminate information and save lives.

Should be a good lecture, you can see the FB invite here.

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