This workshop contributes to the work of the ITU-D Study Group Question 22/2 (Utilization of ICT for disaster management, resources, and active and passive space-based sensing systems as they apply to disaster and emergency relief situation), and to the implementation of Resolution 34 (The role of telecommunications/ICT in early warning and mitigation of disasters and humanitarian assistance), adopted by the World Telecommunications Development Conference that was held in Doha (March, 2006).
The adoption of Resolution 34 and Question 22/2 followed a series of natural disasters such as the December 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake that triggered a series of devastating tsunamis, and the India-Pakistan border earthquake of October 2005 that caused untold suffering for the populations affected and also disrupted economic and social activities. In recent months a number of natural disasters have been experienced by a number of other countries including Indonesia that has been affected by earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions. It is hoped that this event will contribute to the knowledge base of disaster mitigation by bringing together experts to map practical strategies.
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