Joint CTO - ICTA Workshop on Using ICTs for Disaster Management Commences in Mauritius

Joint CTO - ICTA Workshop on Using ICTs for Disaster Management Commences in Mauritius

Mauritius – 12 th September 2013 –The workshop on “Using ICTs for Disaster Management” jointly organised by  the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and Information and Communications Technology Authority of Mauritius (ICTA) under the patronage of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology of Mauritius, was declared open today by Hon Cader Sayed-Hossen, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection also the Acting Minister of Information and Communication Technology of Mauritius. ICTs play an enormous role in minimising the impact of disasters, across the entire disaster cycle, from preparedness and mitigation to relief, recovery and reconstruction. Policy, regulatory and technical interventions, have been refined over the last two decades, which has worked to reduce the impact of natural disasters. Since the Tampere Convention, a key milestone that facilitates the provision of telecommunications to mitigate the impact of disasters by adjusting regulatory barriers, the Global ICT Community has marched on to find innovative ways to leverage the potential of ICTs to assist disaster relief work.The CTO has been at the forefront of  bringing together stakeholders to craft partnerships that will build on the strengths of different players to minimise the impact of disasters. Having held seven workshops on this theme, the CTO has gained a wealth of knowledge it will impart at this workshop. Mauritius has periodically suffered from natural disasters, the latest of which, a flood, has claimed 19 lives. The workshop therefore comes at an opportune time. It has drawn interest from key stakeholders; members of the National Disaster Committee; non state actors; and of course telecommunication operators. With some 130 participants expected to attend the workshop, who are directly involved in the field of disaster management, the workshop will examine the various ways in which ICTs could be used in disaster situations in Mauritius. Mr Trilock Dwarka, Chairman, ICTA, said “ICTA’s main objective is to contribute to the national efforts in minimising the effects of disasters, being the regulator of a highly ICT enabled country. This workshop will pave the way for our country to utilise our unique strengths to benefit the people and also become a beacon for the rest of the world, particularly other island nations to follow.” Adding his words, Mr Lasantha De Alwis, Director, Head of Operations Department of the CTO said “the CTO is proud to be associated with ICTA to conduct this workshop as a part of its membership services for Mauritius which is a strong supporter of the CTO. The outcomes of this workshop will become a part of the knowledge base of the organisation that will help all members of the Commonwealth.”