Abstract: Mobile communications networks and devices can be and have been used by authorities to warn and instruct the general public during crises. However, our understanding of how mobile technologies could best be used for emergency announcements (public warnings) is currently limited. To clarify one part of this field of study, we define and describe a simple taxonomy for mobile emergency announcements (MEA) systems. The taxonomy has three categories: preplanned MEA systems, ad-hoc MEA systems and semi ad-hoc MEA systems. Differences in functional, security and other requirements were found between MEA systems belonging to different taxonomy categories, both concerning how each category of MEA systems can meet the common requirements, and concerning which requirements are the most important for each category of MEA systems. The differences between the categories were especially clear for these requirements: the understandability and credibility of the MEAs and the security of a MEA system.

Abstract: Understanding that disasters and conflicts do not occur in a vacuum, but are integrally linked to the broader context in which they take place, building resilience within both state and society structures becomes a crucial tool to speed recovery and lessen the likelihood of recurrence as local and institutional capacities are put in place to respond to, manage and reduce emerging risks. Since, 2008, United Nations Development Programme in Sudan has through its Crisis and Recovery Mapping and Analysis Project been developing a participatory mapping and analysis methodology to enhance crisis responsiveness and evidence-based strategic planning both within the United Nations system and national government. Using innovative technologies and GIS, sensitive issues are contextualized and depoliticized through novel correlations and visualisations, allowing previously contesting state and society actors to jointly identify priorities for intervention and response. The process has fostered an open dialogue, strengthening the capacities of local actors to respond to emerging crises in a timely and appropriate manner. Participatory mapping has thus become a key tool in managing complexities in peacebuilding and recovery in post-crisis settings. © 2012 ISCRAM.

Abstract: Small island developing states (SIDs) face a range of underlying issues that increase their vulnerability and risk to disaster. This commonly results in a lack of available, reliable and actionable data for both island nations as well as their insular communities. Simultaneously, issues such as climate change make their riskscapes unique and challenging to mitigate, forcing the need to find methods of improving community resiliency. This paper uses qualitative interviews conducted in the post-disaster phase of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season to highlight the main issues experienced by communities. It then uses these, as well as literature guidance, to create a Lessons Learnt Framework (LLF) designed to challenge underlying assumptions, assess management efforts, discuss and record community experiences, and to feedback social capital into vulnerable communities to support future community resilience.

Abstract: One of the most important and costly aspects of recovery operations is debris collection and disposal. The unique nature of disaster debris and the extreme amounts generated as a result of the disaster event create challenges for decision makers that are not typically encountered during every day solid-waste disposal operations. This work-in-progress research is aimed at identifying the unique aspects of disaster debris disposal and the need for decision support, which addresses these unique aspects, to assist emergency management coordinators with allocating resources during on-going debris cleanup operations. We will present a decision support system framework, discuss aspects of the knowledge base, model base, and user interface, and show how an emergency management coordinator might use the system during ongoing daily operations using real-world data from a 2003 Atlantic hurricane.

Abstract: Community-based disaster response is gaining attention in the United States because of major problems with domestic disaster recovery over the last decade. A social network analysis approach is used to illustrate how community-academic partnerships offer one way to leverage information about existing, mediated relationships with the community through trusted actors. These partnerships offer a platform that can be used to provide entré into communities that are often closed to outsiders, while also allowing greater access to community embedded physical assets and human resources, thus facilitated more culturally appropriate crisis response. Using existing, publically available information about funded community-academic partnerships in Wisconsin, USA, we show how social network analysis of these meta-organizations may provide critical information about both community vulnerabilities in disaster and assist in rapidly identifying these community resources in the aftermath of a crisis event that may provide utility for boundary spanning crisis information systems.

Abstract: We report on an initial assessment of a grassroots tool developed within the Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) community to support the coordination of efforts between the diverse network of relief organizations on the ground following a disaster. We look first at the problems that led to its development and the volunteer principles embodied in the tool. We then present an overview of the primary workflows and processes used to capture and manage work orders within this system. We discuss some of the benefits of centralized coordination of work across this network, opportunities for future growth, and some of the barriers that are inhibiting further growth of this tool. Finally, we conclude with opportunities for future research.

Abstract: The aftereffects of disaster events are significant in tourist destinations where they do not only lead to destruction and casualties, but also long-lasting economic harms. The public perception causes tourists to refrain from visiting these areas and recovery of the tourist industry, a major economic sector, to become challenging. To improve this situation, current information about the tourist and infrastructure recovery is crucial for a “rebranding”- information that is however time and cost-intensive in acquisition using traditional information sources. An alternative data source that has shown great potential for information gathering in other disaster management phases, which was less considered for disaster recovery purposes, is Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI). Therefore, this paper introduces a VGI-based methodology to address this task. Initial analyses conducted with Flickr data indicate a potential of VGI for recovery monitoring, whereas the analysis of OpenStreetMap data shows, that this form of VGI requires further quality assurance.

Abstract: This paper describes a Humanitarian FOSS (free and open source software) project carried out by a team of students and faculty at Trinity College. The project outcome was a volunteer management module that has recently been incorporated into the Sahana Disaster Recovery IT System. The Humanitarian FOSS movement is based on two premises: (1) that quality humanitarian software can be built and given freely to governments and organizations in need of such software ; and (2) that the FOSS development model can successfully harness the contributions of humanitarian-minded IT and computing professionals. The Trinity Sahana project introduces a third premise: (3) that students and faculty whose main goals are educational and pedagogical can contribute successfully to the Humanitarian FOSS movement. This paper examines these three premises focusing on the question raised by the third.

Abstract: Mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery are the four phases of emergency management that have arguably been unchanged since their inception nearly 43 years ago. This paper proposes to replace recovery with adaptation as the post incident phase of emergency management. Recovery focuses on a return to normal while adaptation better encompasses acknowledgement, healing, strengthening, and improving quality of life for a more resilient outcome. This paper reviews seminal work within emergency management and work pertaining to other types of adaptation to better comprehend adaptation as applied to emergency management.

Abstract: Disaster recovery operations rarely proceed smoothly and disruptions often require the redistribution of relief items. Such a redistribution has to be carried out taking into account both the current disruption and the uncertainty regarding possible future incidents in the respective area. As decisions have to be made fast in humanitarian operations, extensive optimization runs cannot be conducted in such a situation. Nevertheless, sensible decisions should be made to ensure an efficient redistribution, considering not only satisfaction of needs but also operational costs, as the budget is usually scarce in the recovery phase of a disaster. In this work, different scenarios are generated and then solved with a multiobjective optimization model to explore possible developments. By evaluating the results of these scenarios, decision rules are identified which can support the decision maker in the actual disaster situation in making fast, but nevertheless well-founded, decisions.

Abstract: Nepal is one of the most popular travel destinations because of its natural beauty and Himalayas. Tourism industry contributes significantly to the nation's GDP. However, the 2015 earthquake has created great havoc causing loss of more than 9,000 lives, damaging many buildings including World heritage sites and trekking trails. Despite a substantial amount of foreign aid, overall recovery programs have not been effective. This empirical study focuses on the use of ICT tools for the recovery works in the tourism industry and uses mixed methods engaging tourism associations and organisations. Four 'areas of concerns' regarding ICT use, are identified by using the qualitative analysis and validated through a survey of 198 tourism organisations. The findings show that the earthquake has significantly impacted the industry and the government has not adequately used ICTs in the recovery activities. This study strongly advocates using ICT tools for the post-disaster tourism resilience.

Abstract: Improving resiliency of airports and seaports can accelerate both humanitarian relief and economic and social recovery in regions struck by natural or manmade disasters. Ports are a critical element of effective disaster response, evacuation, and recovery. They are also essential to social and economic recovery following a disaster, especially on islands dependent on trade and isolated areas such as in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. The Port Resiliency Program (PReP) presents a practical framework to enhance port resiliency and improve evaluation to support continuous improvement. Approaches include analyzing strengths and weaknesses, fostering understanding, communication, and cooperation among stakeholders, caching essential resources ahead of time, building a comprehensive archive of literature, and targeting exercises to close gaps in preparedness.