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An Assignment on

A Framework for Disaster Management of Bangladesh for Future Considering

the Challenges and Opportunities of 4th Industrial Revolution
[Course Title: Informatics to Disaster Management ]
[Course code: DMC-208]

Submitted to:
Dr. Sumon Ahmed
Ph.D. in Bioinformatics (The University of Manchester, UK)
Associate Professor
Institute of Information Technology
University of Dhaka

Submitted by:
Farzana Hasan
Roll no: 04
8th Batch-Bachelor of Disaster Management
Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies
University of Dhaka

Date of Submission: 12-09-2022

Table of Contents
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1. Introduction.....................................................................................................................3

Background........................................................................................................................................3

Objectives..........................................................................................................................................4

2. The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR)...................................................................................4

4IR in Disaster Management..............................................................................................................5

1. Artificial Intelligence....................................................................................................................................5
2. Internet of Things........................................................................................................................................5
3. Robotics.......................................................................................................................................................6
4. Big Data Analytics........................................................................................................................................6

3. Disaster Information Network (DIN)................................................................................6

Global Information Network (GDIN)...................................................................................................7

Vision for a Future DIN.......................................................................................................................7

Technology Transfer in DM................................................................................................................7

4. DIN in the context of Bangladesh.....................................................................................8

(a) Existing Disaster Information Management System...................................................................8

● National Disaster Management Information Centre (DMIC)......................................................................8
● Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO)..................................................................8
● Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).........................................................................................9
● Flood Forecasting Warning Centre (FFWC).................................................................................................9
● Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS)..................................................9

(b) Early Warning System (EWS)......................................................................................................9

5. Integration of DIN for future DM system in Bangladesh.................................................10

6. Challenges.....................................................................................................................10

7. Conclusion.....................................................................................................................11

References............................................................................................................................12
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1. Introduction

Disaster is generally defined as a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a

society causing widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses which exceed
the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources (ISDR 2003).
The International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies defines disaster
management as the organisation and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing
with all the humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response and
recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters. The amount of human misery caused by these
disasters is unquantifiable. It is impossible to avoid acts of nature from posing threats to persons
and property. Nevertheless, the second-order vulnerabilities they generate can be considerably
mitigated. The technology and systems of the Fourth Industrial Revolution(I4.0) provide
incredibly potent assets for disaster management. The blurring of the lines between the physical,
digital, and biological worlds is referred to as the fourth industrial revolution. It combines
technological advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), robots, the Internet of Things (IoT),
3D printing, genetic engineering, quantum computing, and other areas. In the last decade, there
has been a rapid digital transformation of industrial production systems. The origins of I4.0 can
be traced to a strategy outlined in a government funded report produced in Germany in 2011, to
promote competitive advantages of manufacturing through the utilization and integration of new
technologies. The adoption of I4.0 principles in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) research and
associated industry practices is particularly notable, although its origins, impacts and potential
are not well understood. In terms of I4.0, to facilitate communication and collaboration amongst
the various stakeholders in disaster management, a Disaster Information Network (DIN) might
be viewed as a useful tool.

Background

Bangladesh has a very high risk of disaster. Geographical location, land characteristics,
numerous rivers, impact of climate change, population explosion, unplanned urbanization and
industrialization contribute to the disaster risk. The major disasters concerned in the country are
floods, cyclones, droughts, tidal surges, tornadoes, nor‟-wester, earthquakes, river erosion, fire,
infrastructure collapse, arsenic contamination of groundwater, water logging, water and soil
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salinity, cold wave, building collapse, epidemic and various forms of pollution etc. Over 80% of
the population is potentially susceptible to floods, earthquakes, and droughts, and over 70% to
cyclones. Every three years, on average, the country is struck by a severe tropical cyclone, and
around 25 percent of the landmass is flooded annually. Every four to five years, severe flooding
affects sixty percent of the land mass. In the wake of recent frequent disaster events, preparing
for disaster has never been more urgent. Bangladesh has established a functional disaster
management system that contains a set of rules and processes, as well as a wide range of ways
for disaster management. Bangladesh has achieved considerable strides in disaster preparedness
and mitigation over the past several decades, bringing the death toll from tropical cyclones down
from hundreds of thousands to hundreds. Despite all of this, Bangladesh's DM system is not
entirely digitalized. In recent years, advances in the science and technology of natural hazards
and coping strategies have led to substantial changes in the integrated approach to natural
disasters.

Objectives

With the challenges and possibilities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in mind, this study
intends to propose a framework for future disaster management in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the
importance of stakeholders and the idea of a disaster information network will be emphasized.
The transfer of technology is a major factor that has the potential to influence disaster
management efforts in the future. The importance of a database for a disaster management
information system will also be addressed. Finally, policy and organizational implementation, as
well as a cost/benefit analysis, will be discussed.

2. The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR)

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is a term coined in 2016 by Klaus Schwab, Founder and
Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF). It is characterized by the
convergence and complementarity of emerging technology domains, including nanotechnology,
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biotechnology, new materials and advanced digital production (ADP) technologies. The latter
includes 3D printing, human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and artificial intelligence, and is already
transforming the global industrial landscape.

4IR in Disaster Management

We are currently living in the era of technology, or the fourth industrial revolution. Information
technology has developed over time and has offered effective disaster management strategies,
especially in providing and delivering strong solutions in the disaster management sectors such
as the mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery phases. The use of 4IR tools in the
context of disaster management is elaborating below:

1. Artificial Intelligence: AI is used in DRM to detect hazards, risks, vulnerabilities,

potential consequences, and mitigation solutions. Regression models can be used to
predict infrastructure service outages due to disasters [97]. Moreover, to develop resilient
infrastructure against disaster, vulnerability can be quantified by utilizing spatial
regression models. In the prepared-ness stage AI can be used to provide effective early
warning systems and to optimize the evacuation procedure. Another application of AI in
the disaster response stage is employing communication tools to provide timely and
effective help in the decision-making process. AI-based communication technologies can
improve situational awareness and response efforts. These tools could allow effective
communication among personnel engaged in relief and rescue missions Moreover, in the
aftermath of a disaster, recovery operations could use AI as an assessment tool for
quantifying the impact on the damaged structure. AI could be applied further to support
recovery plans for disaster locations and follow the recovery and reconstruction
processes.

2. Internet of Things: The idea of the Internet of Things (IoT) emphasizes the potential for
connecting numerous systems, devices, and processes by using the internet as a platform.
The idea behind the Internet of Things is that it not only makes it simple to connect to
everything around us but also makes it easier to monitor and control operations online.
The use of IoT in disaster management methods is said to have a number of advantages,
including improved performance monitoring, efficient controlling, greater quality
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assessment, and time and cost savings. Al-Turjman, for instance, presented a cognitive
data delivery framework to handle data delivery issues in massive networks in emergency
circumstances. The findings of the study suggest that an IoT-based framework would be
able to optimize the present state of the network. The introduction of IoT could also be
helpful in monitoring and providing early warning of common geohazards including
rockfall, landslides, and earthquakes.

3. Robotics: A variety of recovery tasks, such as high-altitude remote inspection and

maintenance, underwater and underground inspection, repair and maintenance of energy
infrastructure, and the construction and demolition of damaged infrastructure, could all
benefit from the application of robotics. The use of robotics in disaster rescue and
assistance, for example, could aid in making more informed decisions in a crisis quickly
and efficiently. Similarly, construction robots have been utilized in recovery projects to
do manual tasks and take over repetitive procedures, such as the assembly of
components, prefabrication, and demolition.

4. Big Data Analytics: Research conducted in the field of disaster management places a
strong emphasis on the significance of large amounts of data in the process of improving
resilience. This is due to the fact that large amounts of data play a key part in reducing
the risks and effects of natural disasters. This is accomplished by enhancing the
promptness and efficiency of linkages between information about disasters and responses
coordinated across systems. DM study into geo-graphic information systems, data from
social media, and remote sensing photography are a few examples of this.

3. Disaster Information Network (DIN)

A robust, integrated, and virtual network for the cooperative exchange of timely, relevant data
and information that can be used during all phases of disaster management to save lives and
reduce economic loss is what is referred to as a disaster information network, or DIN for short.
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DINs are designed to prevent further loss of life and property. For the purposes of disaster
management, every nation should establish what is known as a National Disaster Information
Network (NDIN). Regional Disaster Information Networks (RDINs) are created when National
Disaster Information Networks (DINs) collaborate to create them, and RDINs eventually
combine to form the Global Disaster Information Network (GDIN).

Global Information Network (GDIN)

The Global Data Inclusion Network (GDIN) is a nonprofit organization whose members are
interested in ensuring that the correct data is made available to the right people at the right time
so that they may make the best possible decisions. It is a group of organizations and individuals
working together to solve problems in several sectors, including non-governmental
organizations, government agencies, international organizations, the private sector, educational
institutions, and charitable foundations. The Global Disaster Information Network (GDIN) works
to improve the capacity of its members and disaster managers throughout the world to receive
and utilise disaster information by maximizing the use of current resources. Most notably, it aids
emergency response teams in places with limited resources and technological options.

Vision for a Future DIN

The goal of DIN is to make it easier for governments, international organizations, NGOs, and
anyone else dealing with disasters to access and use data about those disasters in a standardized,
effective, and interoperable way.

As such, one essential component is involving stakeholders to ensure that the appropriate
information reaches the right people at the right time for optimal decision-making. To increase
the ability of its members and disaster managers around the world to receive and utilize disaster
information, it requires a group of organizations and individuals working together to find
solutions in a variety of sectors, including non-governmental organizations, government
agencies, international organizations, the private sector, educational institutions, and charitable
foundations.
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Technology Transfer in DM

The term "technology transfer" (TT) refers to the cooperative process by which intellectual
property, scientific discoveries, and other forms of knowledge can move from their original
creators, such as universities and research institutions, to their eventual end users in the public
and private sectors. The purpose of this organization is to speed up the process of
commercializing scientific discoveries and technological advances for the greater benefit of
mankind. This transfer of technology has the potential to be of enormous benefit to developing
and underdeveloped countries, which are particularly susceptible to incidents of disaster. It will
assist in dealing with the disaster occurrence in a more effective and efficient manner.

4. DIN in the context of Bangladesh

The government's vision was to reduce the risk of the Bangladeshi people, especially the poor
and the disadvantaged, from the effects of natural, environmental and human-induced disasters,
and to have an efficient emergency response system capable of handling large-scale disasters.
Bangladesh ICT Policy 2009 stated to protect citizens from natural disasters through ICT based
disaster warning and management technologies. DRR through the use of ICT is among the
objectives set under the ICT Policy.

(a) Existing Disaster Information Management System

● National Disaster Management Information Centre (DMIC): DMIC has built the
internal capacity to produce and issue daily situation reports, which are
composites of damage, loss and response data received through its
communication networks from several sources. DMIC technical staff uses image
analysis and GIS tools to develop these reports. They combine GIS functionality
with web applications that automate production and provide users with online GIS
tools to manipulate data (UNAPCICT, 2010).

● Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO): In Bangladesh,

SPARRSO serves as the national focal point and center of excellence for
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benevolent uses of space science, remote sensing, and geographic information

systems (GIS). SPARRSO works closely with national, regional, and international
organizations, institutions, and agencies, and shares its findings with public,
autonomous, and private entities for use in planning and policymaking.

● Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD): BMD is the sole government-

authorized agency to issue weather forecasts and record meteorological data in
Bangladesh. It has a network of surface and upper air observation stations, radar
and satellite stations, agro meteorological stations, geomagnetic and seismological
stations, and a meteorological telecommunication system.

● Flood Forecasting Warning Centre (FFWC): The goals of FFWS are to

encourage people, communities, and organizations to take measures to ensure
everyone's safety and minimize flood damage. Data on precipitation and water
levels are significant in assessing the current flood condition and developing
future flood forecasts.

● Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS): CEGIS

does initial environmental examinations, environmental impact assessments,
disaster management modeling, natural resource and risk management, GIS/RS
mapping, and surveys. CEGIS supports the government and NGOs. CEGIS
designed a Community Based Flood Information System, an Environmental
Monitoring Information Network, and a Climate Forecast Application Network.

(b) Early Warning System (EWS)

The national DMIC is active around the clock and acts as a catalyst for the distribution of
early warnings from the national level to the upazila level. To get the word out, DMIC
employs a number of different types of information and communication technologies. As
of right now, DMIC has high-end servers, an SMS/Fax gateway, a GIS unit, and
redundant data connectivity. Bangladesh's mobile phone usage has skyrocketed in recent
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years, and the country's government is increasingly relying on mobile devices to

disseminate important safety alerts.

5. Integration of DIN for future DM system in Bangladesh

Performing an accurate risk assessment and identifying preventative, mitigating, and

preparedness actions are the first crucial stages in minimizing the effects of disasters. By using
GIS to generate geographically referenced analysis, DIN can play a crucial role in drawing
attention to risk areas, vulnerabilities, and at-risk groups.

One of the best ways to help organizations and people involved in the many phases of disaster
management is through the use of a disaster information network (DIN). Union and Upazila-
level Disaster Management Committees can be outfitted with a disaster prediction and early
warning system and a coordinated two-way vertical and horizontal information management
system. All communities can benefit from the knowledge DIN can supply. To better anticipate,
respond to, and recover from natural catastrophes, it is necessary to strengthen horizontal and
vertical institutional links through ICT-based connectivity.

Timely warnings allow individuals to take actions that preserve lives, prevent property damage,
and minimize human suffering in a disaster situation. DIN can help improve coordination
between early warning providers, logistics planners, and those working to raise awareness about
disaster preparedness and management in order to create a more effective warning system.

6. Challenges
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7. Conclusion
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References