The Caribbean Multi-stakeholder workshop on the Role of Telecommunications in disaster preparedness, response and recovery is jointly organized with the GSMA and WFP/ETC. This event will take place from 21 to 23 November 2023, in Bridgetown, Barbados. The workshop will be attended by policy makers from Ministries of ICTs and Disaster Management, Telecommunication Regulatory Authorities/Commissions, Operators/Service Providers as Private sector entities, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and other participants from humanitarian organizations, regional disaster management organizations, and media. The event will be over a three-day period with mid breaks. The sessions will be for the Caribbean and will be conducted in English
PURPOSE
The key objectives of this workshop are to bring the mobile industry, government entities, humanitarian agencies and international development partners, among others to:
• Understand the individual and regional efforts to increase resilience to be affected by natural hazards.
• Proactively explore possible collaboration opportunities between government, private sector and regional humanitarian partners who are active in the emergency telecommunications section.
• Discuss best practices in network resilience, customer support and emergency telecommunications regulations in the region; and
• Agree on actions for the near and medium term.
• The workshop will highlight the role of ICT networks and services in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and saving lives, as well as the key role the mobile industry plays in all phases of the disaster management cycle. Discussions will also revolve around how the use of telecommunication/ICT for DRR
• A simulation Table Top Exercise will be developed to engage participants in an interactive learning experience on the alignment between “people, process, technology” for effective preparedness and response.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The workshop will be attended by policy makers from Ministries of ICTs and Disaster Management, Telecommunication Regulatory Authorities/Commissions, Operators/Service Providers as Private sector entities, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and other participants from humanitarian organizations, regional disaster management organizations, and media.
