The Sunday News
Mollet Ndebele, Sunday News Reporter
NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisations working in Matobo District are implementing an Information Communication Technologies programme that will help in alerting villagers of impending natural disasters.
The programme, called ICT 4 Disaster Risk Management (ICT 4 DRM) is being implemented under a co-operation agreement between the European Union and the Government.
Some of the organisations involved in the initiative are Save Children International, Oxfam and International Red Cross rescue committee working together with Gallelio Holdings.
The hub will be located at Matobo District Offices. Gallelio Holdings chief executive officer Mr Freckson Tineyi Ropi said the programme was a disaster mitigation strategy that will help the community.
“ICT 4 DRM is a mobile-based system that allows for disaster mitigation intervention to be communicated to community members by the District Civil Protection unit by way of a mobile text message that would be sent to them,” he said.
Mr Ropi said the messages would include measures that people should immediately take to minimise effects of the disaster.
He said the messages would be personal with the first name and surname of the recipient and clearly state that it is coming from the Rural District Council.
He said the service was two way as members of the community members could also call service providers if they face challenges related to natural disasters.
Mr Ropi added that the programme will also bring an interface between the education sector and service providers as they will attach students studying ICTs at universities at the call centres.
“We are currently working with Matabeleland South and we are keen to cover all provinces in the country if funds are permitting because it’s a robust system.”
Many countries have developed policies to manage natural disasters. However, most countries request and seek additional support to access the information, tools, and technology they need to implement these policies.
Japan is one of the global leaders in ICT and has applied this expertise to managing its disaster risks for decades. Using sensor networks and satellite imagery, among other tools, ICT-driven applications and data are the backbone of Japanese early warning systems and decision-making processes to address the risks posed by disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and flooding.
ICT solutions also enhance co-ordination among institutions at various levels during disaster response, recovery, and reconstruction phases.
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