Studies and Perspectives Series – The Caribbean No.54
Abstract:
In Caribbean countries, modern telecommunications infrastructure is vulnerable to an array of natural disasters, as exemplified by the impacts of Tropical Storm Erika in Dominica, Hurricane Joaquin in the Bahamas, and Hurricane Earl in Belize.
At the same time, telecommunications service —especially mobile telephony and data services— can provide invaluable support to disaster management efforts by facilitating communication, coordination, and intelligence collection during emergency situations.
Thus, as a matter of public safety, ensuring the resilience of telecommunications infrastructure in the face of natural hazards is of national importance.
One way this resilience can be enhanced is by strengthening the relationship between operators of telecommunications services and national disaster offices. This paper suggests numerous areas for engagement between these entities and recommends the development of more formalized frameworks for mutual support.
Among other issues, it considers needs for improvements to information sharing practices, collaboration on public early warning systems, and the inclusion of telecommunications operators in disaster drilling exercises.
Related content
Regional Cooperation • Regional Integration • E-Government
Regional approaches to e-government initiatives in the Caribbean
Studies and Perspectives – ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for The Caribbean
Regional Cooperation • Information Society • ICTs
Working paper on the eLAC 2018 Digital Agenda in consideration of Caribbean priorities for technology-supported development
Presented in advance of the 5th Ministerial Conference on the Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean
Governance • Human Settlements • Population
The Road toward Smart Cities
Migrating from Traditional City Management to the Smart City
International Cooperation • Natural Disasters • Disaster Risk Management
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 3 June 2015
Saint Kitts and Nevis • Trinidad and Tobago • Turks and Caicos Islands
Strengthening ICT and knowledge management capacity in support of the sustainable development
Studies and Perspectives Series – The Caribbean, No.81