Information and communication technology for disaster risk management in the Caribbean: subregional solutions to the challenge of limited human resource capacity

This document was adapted from a paper originally presented to the 8th Annual Caribbean Conference of Comprehensive Disaster Management, held in Montego Bay, Jamaica in December, 2013. It summarizes several activities that ECLAC has undertaken to assess the current state of information and communications technology (ICT) in the field of disaster risk management (DRM) as practiced in the Caribbean. These activities included an in-depth study that encompassed a survey of disaster management organizations in the region, an Expert Group Meeting attended by the heads of several national disaster offices, and a training workshop for professionals working in DRM in the Caribbean. One of the notable conclusions of ECLAC’s investigation on this topic is that the lack of human capacity is the single largest constraint that is faced in the implementation of ICT projects for DRM in the Caribbean. In considering strategies to address the challenge of limited human capacity at a regional level, two separate issues are recognized – the need to increase the ICT capabilities of disaster management professionals, and the need to make ICT specialists available to disaster management organizations to advise and assist in the implementation of technology-focused projects. To that end, two models are proposed to engage with this issue at a regional level. The first entails the establishment of a network of ICT trainers in the Caribbean to help DRM staff develop a strategic understanding of how technology can be used to further their organizational goals. The second is the development of “Centres of Excellence” for ICT in the Caribbean, which would enable the deployment of specialized ICT expertise to national disaster management offices on a project-by-project basis.

Network for Cooperation in Integrated Water Resource Management for Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean No. 7

Editorial remarks.-- Open discussion: public policies for sustainable development.-- Meetings: Workshop for Managers of River Basin Organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean ; General Assembly of the International Network of Basin Organizations ; Seminar workshop on environmental accounting for water resources in Chile.-- Future activities.-- Courses.-- CELAA, CINARA and IMTA.-- Internet and WWW News

Network for Cooperation in Integrated Water Resource Management for Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean No. 26

Editorial remarks.-- Open discussion: Formulation of new regulatory frameworks for water supply and sanitation services ; The problem of provision of public goods.-- News of the network: Matanza-Riachuelo River basin authority, Argentina ; Venezuelan water law.-- Meetings: Fifth Brazilian Congress on Regulation ; Experience of water management in the Southern Cone.-- Courses: Course on international investment agreements, water and public services.-- Internet and WWW news

Network for Cooperation in Integrated Water Resource Management for Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean No. 39

Editorial remarks.-- Open discussion: Tariff policies for the achievement of MDGs ; Natural resources within UNASUR ; The human right to water and sanitation.-- Meetings: Tariff and Regulatory Policies ; Transboundary Water Cooperation ; Latinosan III.-- News of the Network: National Water Resources Strategy ; Hydroelectric Development in Chile.-- Internet and WWW News

La formulación de los planes de ordenamiento de los recursos hídricos = The formulation of water resource management plans

Incluye Bibliografía

Formulación de los planes de ordenamiento de recursos hídricos en América Latina y el Caribe = Formulation of plans for water resource management in Latin America and the Caribbean

Incluye Bibliografía

Informe de la Reunión de Expertos sobre Cooperación Horizontal en Materia de Gestión de Recursos Hídricos en América Latina y el Caribe = Report of the Expert Meeting on Horizontal Co-operation in Water Resource Management in Latin America and the Caribbean

Informe de reunion sobre cooperacion horizontal en administracion de recursos hidricos en America Latina y el Caribe. Contiene: organizacion de los trabajos, resumen de los debates, resultado de los debates de los Grupos de Trabajo y conclusiones y recomendaciones.

El Programa 21 y el manejo integral de los recursos hídricos en América Latina y el Caribe = Agenda 21 and integrated water resource management in Latin America and the Caribbean

Incluye Bibliografía

Contributions made by ECLAC in the field of international migration from a human rights and development perspective: report of the activities of the Commission, 2012-2013

Includes bibliography

Report of a Consultative Forum: Higher-Level Human Resource Development Strategies in the Caribbean Subregion of the 1990s

Includes bibliography

Adoption and application of information technology in the Caribbean and its contribution to scientific, technological and human resource development

Includes bibliography

Orientaciones para analizar los procesos de gestión de recursos hídricos en América Latina y el Caribe: basado en experiencias del Perú = Guidelines for the analysis of water resource management procedures in Latin America and the Caribbean, based on Peruvian experiences

Analiza sistematicamente las alternativas existentes para mejorar la gestion de las instituciones vinculadas a los recursos hidricos en America Latina y el Caribe. Incluye la presentacion somera de un metodo secuencial para la evaluacion de los variados procesos de gestion de recursos hidricos, asi como cuadros y anexos con listas reales de problemas y demandas planteados por usuarios y autoridades de aguas.