How are ICTs used as tools in raising public awareness, and what makes them effective : a case study of the work of ODPEM in Kingston, Jamaica
Abstract
The
last
couple
of
decades
the
world
has
seen
an
incredible
development
within
the
field
of
Information
and
Communication
Technologies
(ICT).
Not
only
has
the
number
and
quality
of
ICTs
increased,
but
also
its
reach,
penetration
and
the
amount
of
new
and
different
ICTs.
It
is
also
increasingly
a
part
of
everyday
lives
in
most
countries
of
the
world.
Simultaneously
to
this
development
there
has
been
an
increase
in
disasters
and
the
loss
of
livelihoods
and
lives
due
to
them.
The
disasters
are
affecting
poor
and
developing
countries
disproportionally
due
to
their
vulnerability.
Hence
incorporating
disaster
management
into
the
development
agenda
is
vital
for
both
to
achieve
sustainable
livelihoods
and
development.
Within
disaster
management
addressing
issues
of
risk
and
vulnerability
is
the
main
priority.
In
such
work
it
is
data
collection,
communication,
cooperation,
coordination
and
raising
public
awareness
is
vital.
Hence
effective
information
management
is
key.
For
there
to
be
effective
information
management
issues
such
as
reaching
a
defined
addressee,
being
comprehensible,
multi--‐source,
relevant,
on
time,
reliable
and
standardised
have
to
be
addressed.
ICT
is
beneficial
in
many
ways;
it
is
beneficial
due
to
its
availability,
reach,
penetration,
multiplicity,
accessibility,
speed,
robustness
and
portability.
ODPEM
is
the
main
disaster
management
agency
in
Jamaica
when
they
incorporate
ICT
as
a
tool
into
their
disaster
management
work
and
work
regarding
raising
public
awareness,
it
will
enhance
these
activities.
The
general
public
are
increasingly
influenced
by
ICTs
during
their
days,
accessing
such
technology
to
disperse
important
information
about
disaster
preparedness
can
raise
public
awareness
as
well
as
enhance
disaster
management
Description
Master thesis development management- University of Agder 2013