Despite scientific advances and many international and local disaster risk management initiatives, the social and economic impact of natural disasters in developing countries is growing.
Various activities are under way to investigate the potential of counter measures and mitigation strategies to handle the growing number of natural disasters. One of these efforts is by the United Nations agency for ICT, the International Telecommunications Union's (ITU) approval of the new standards to provide access to a wide range of telecommunications services.
The radio-communication for satellite services standards have been approved to facilitate early warning, rapid response, and relief operations in the event of natural disasters.
ITU secretary-general Hamadoun Tour'e notes that in the event of a natural disaster, satellite communications are the most appropriate means to quickly set up a telecommunication link with remote facilities. "Establishing communications in the aftermath of a disaster is vital to facilitate rapid and effective rescue and rehabilitation efforts," he says.
According to Tour'e, the new ITU radio-communication standards for satellite communication in emergencies will greatly improve the capacity to save lives. “I call upon all stakeholders, including administrations, satellite operators and service providers to support the development of robust, comprehensive, early warning and relief systems to mitigate emergencies and disasters at the national, regional and international levels," he adds.
The agency says in the event of natural disasters, such as the recent earthquakes which spread devastation in Haiti and Chile, there is an urgent need for a reliable telecommunication links for use in relief operations.
ITU has joined international efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Haiti, Chile and other disaster-hit areas and deployed satellite terminals and earth stations to re-establish basic communication links.
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