Twitter as a Potential Disaster Risk Reduction Tool. Part I: Introduction, Terminology, Research and Operational Applications

Zhong

et al. 2017

IJERPH

(1) Background: Tornadoes are one of the deadliest disasters but their health impacts in China are poorly investigated. This study aimed to assess the public health risks and impact of an EF-4 tornado outbreak in Funing, China; (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis on the characteristics of tornado-related deaths and injuries was conducted based on the database from the Funing’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Funing People’s Hospital. A change-point time-series analysis of weekly incidence for the period January 2010 to September 2016 was used to identify sensitive infectious diseases to the tornado; (3) Results: The 75 to 84 years old group was at the highest risk of both death (RR = 82.16; 95% CIs = 19.66, 343.33) and injury (RR = 31.80; 95% CI = 17.26, 58.61), and females were at 53% higher risk of death than males (RR = 1.53; 95% CIs = 1.02, 2.29). Of the 337 injuries, 274 injuries (81%) were minor. Most deaths occurred indoors (87%) and the head (74%) was the most frequent site of trauma during the tornado. Five diseases showed downward change-points; (4) Conclusions: The experience of the Funing tornado underscores the relative danger of being indoors during a tornado and is successful in avoiding epidemics post-tornado. Current international safety guidelines need modification when generalized to China.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the Public Health Risks and Impact of a Tornado in Funing, China, 23 June 2016: A Retrospective Analysis

Zhong

et al. 2017

IJERPH

“…The social media tools, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have complimented traditional media outlets and has been very useful in timely and effective responses to natural and man-made disasters (Liu et al ., 2018; Olafsson, 2011; Cooper et al ., 2015). Social media has become an immensely valuable platform that enables people to easily create and share their own news, photos, videos and other information within their social networks.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of information and communication technologies on disaster relief operations: a case of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe

Chari¹,

Novukela²

2023

JHLSCM

Purpose There has been an avalanche of global natural disasters in recent times. In recent years approximately 210 million people were affected, an estimated economic cost of US$153bn was incurred and 68,000 deaths were recorded. This was a work up call that made it imperative for humanitarian actors to impetuously adopt information and communication technologies (ICTs) to timeously assist affected populations in disaster prevention, mitigation response and recovery However, the use of ICTs in the humanitarian field is still at its infancy in most third world countries. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the utilization of ICTs in humanitarian relief operations associated with Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe. Design/methodology/approach Using a pragmatic approach, the study gathered data using semistructured questionnaires that were triangulated with interviews of humanitarian staff that were involved in Cyclone Idai relief efforts. Findings An observed suboptimal utilization of ICTs was further disadvantaged by the inequitable distribution of communication infrastructure. However, despite the suboptimal usage, there was a significant positive influence of ICT adoption on effectiveness, efficiency and flexibility in humanitarian relief operations. Originality/value Optimal use of ICTs has the potential to revolutionize humanitarian supply chain management. A smooth transition to new technologies is recommended in which personnel are given professional development opportunities on a regular basis.

“…Twitter excels at broadcasting emergency information; saving lives during wildfire emergencies and related disaster events is well documented (Alexander, 2014;Cooper et al, 2015;Panagiotopoulos et al, 2016). The higher rates of local emergency tweets for Alberta Parks in 2014 were related to a major flood.…”

Section: Conservation Tourism and Local Stakeholder Messagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

2017

Parks

PARKS is published electronically twice a year by IUCN's World Commission on Protected Areas. For more informa on see: parksjournal.com PARKS is published to strengthen interna onal collabora on in protected area development and management by:  exchanging informa on on prac cal management issues, especially learning from case studies of applied ideas;  serving as a global forum for discussing new and emerging issues that relate to protected areas;  promo ng understanding of the values and benefits derived from protected areas to communi es, visitors, business etc;  ensuring that protected areas fulfill their primary role in nature conserva on while addressing cri cal issues such as ecologically sustainable development, social jus ce and climate change adapta on and mi ga on;  changing and improving protected area support and behaviour through use of informa on provided in the journal; and  promo ng IUCN's work on protected areas. The designa on of geographical en es in this journal, and the presenta on of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authori es, or concerning the delimita on of its fron ers or boundaries.The views expressed in this publica on do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN.IUCN does not take any responsibility for errors or omissions occurring in the transla ons in this document whose original version is in English.Published by: IUCN, Gland, SwitzerlandCopyright: © 2017 Interna onal Union for Conserva on of Nature and Natural ResourcesReproduc on of this publica on for educa onal or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior wri en permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged.Reproduc on of this publica on for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior wri en permission of the copyright holder. This issue also includes book reviews for the first time.Three of the books reviewed in this issue provide essentially historical views on conservation battles under three vastly different circumstances and across three continents; Angola, the Daintree Region in North Queensland and the Nahanni in northern Canada. As Stephen Woodley points out in his review of Gordon Nelson's book on the Nahanni, "those working to conserve nature often forget they are also making history." These books remind us that dedicated individuals are central to conservation efforts around the world and we are privileged to work in an area where so many thousands of individuals around the world devote their passion and energy to conserving our natural world. Wayne's consideration and love for wildlife was also extended to the people and communities with whom he worked. He recognised early on (perhaps before many others) that successful conservation relied on successful cooperation with the communities that live side-by-side with wildlife.Importantly, Wayne understood the sacrifices and dedication of rangers. It was during his t...