Applied Geoinformatics for Society and Environment (AGSE), AGSE 2009

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Usefulness of Addressable Radio in Emergency Disaster preparedness for Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh

A.B. Afifa Imtiaz, Md. Zahid Hasan Siddiquee

Last modified: 2009-06-17

Abstract


Bangladesh is a disaster prone country where many lives are tolled along with property damages each year only because of natural calamities. The city of Cox's Bazar is located in the south eastern part of the country which falls in the High Risk Zone for tropical cyclones. However, the earthquake and the resulting tsunami have recently appeared as additional threats to this region. Recent series of disasters in Bangladesh and neighboring countries have posed an added concern on the importance of emergency alerts. Early Warning System is considered to be one of the most effective measures for Disaster Preparedness. In this paper the existing Early Warning Dissemination System of Bangladesh has been evaluated based on the response of the local vulnerable groups through the participatory questionnaire surveys KII and RRA. Based on the study a satellite based multi hazard warning system, WorldSpace AREA Solution, has been introduced in the Cox's Bazar area. WorldSpace Addressable Radios for Emergency Alerts (AREA) was developed to improve the “situational awareness” of all-hazards for communities at risk. The system is capable of disseminating messages using satellites through broadcasting digital audio & multimedia programs to the community within 10 seconds after issuing alert. In association with GIS technology the radios can be used for disseminating separate emergency alerts indifferent spatial extents. We cannot stop the natural calamities but we off course can have a better preparedness for any disaster that can mitigate losses.

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