Humanitarian & Disaster Response Technologies
Published: 27 July, 2010
This event brings international civil and military humanitarian and disaster response organisations together for cooperation, in order to understand and to highlight the latest technologies available to successfully conduct disaster response operations in Africa.
The incidence of natural disasters has increased markedly over the past 20 years. Oxfam recently publicly stated that the number of people hit by climate-related disasters is expected to rise by approximately 50%, to reach 375 million a year, by 2015. As a consequence more funds than ever before are being made available internationally for humanitarian and disaster response, and both foreign civil and military organisations are providing the necessary response mechanism.
This important 2-day international conference in cooperation with the organisers of AAD2010-Africa Aerospace & Defence 2010, will focus on the technologies involved in civil and military preparedness, response, security, technology and risk management in humanitarian & disaster emergency scenarios in Africa, drawing on the expertise of a wealth of global NGO, Government, Military, Academic and industry organisations.
The conference will provide knowledge and networking for the nation states in Africa to reduce vulnerability and risk to human hazards and will encourage the establishment of relationships between humanitarian and disaster response organisations to improve the chances of a more effective future response.
The supporting exhibition will enable participants to discuss and understand the current and new solutions available from companies in this field.
Tangent Link are bringing an international and national line-up of expert speakers, delegates and technology companies to South Africa to increase awareness, and to demonstrate how new technologies can support the public safety sector, providing some technical solutions to address these challenges.
Key Themes of Event
Assessment/ Command & Control (c2)
Operational Liason, Reconnaissance Team (OLRT) deployment, C2 capability, Intelligence and Information including geospatial/geographic information and assessment,
Airspace/Air Traffic Control, Aerial Survey & Reconnaissance, Engineer survey & reconnaissance, Geospatial suppor,
Small boats coordination, Diving capability, Hydrographic support
Communications
Media Operations support, Information Operations support, Airborne Communications link, Provision of Communications infrastructure, Strategic Communications Link, Field Communications
Infrastructure Support
Provision or portable water either by well-drilling or purification from source, Route Improvement and Maintenance, Repairs and support to airhead/seaport infrastructure
Limited provision of power, Limited Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) capability, Repairs to power, water and sewage treatment plants,
Emergency bridging capability
Public Health/Medical
Medical assistance and triage capability, Casualty evacuation, Environmental Health Advice
Programme News
Tangent Link are pleased to announce some exciting developments on the event programme with the following speakers confirmed:
Providing International Military Support in Disaster Response - Ambassador Anthony Holmes, Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Activities (DCMA), United States Africa Command (Africom), Germany
Briefing on Current H&DR Situation on African Continent - Dr Asha Mohammed, Head of Operations-Africa, International Federation of the Red Cross
SANDF Humanitarian & Disaster Relief to Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member Countries - South African National Defence Force (SANDF), South Africa
Haiti Earthquake - Yvette Gonzalez-Sharma, Director of Haiti Programs & Adam Koons, Director of Relief, International Relief & Development, USA
Maritime H&DR Operations - Andre Botes, Head of Maritime SAR Operations, South Africa
Role of Communication Technology - Dr Cosmas Zavazava, Head, Emergency Telecommunications - International Telecommunication Union, Telecommunications Development Bureau Emergency Communication, Switzerland
Satellite Phones - Inmarsat, UK
Flood Forecasting & Prediction Systems - Global Disaster Alert & Coordination System- Flood Group, EU Joint Research Centre, Italy
FOSS (Free & Open Source Software) for Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Management - Mark Prutsalis, President & CEO, Sahana Software Foundation, USA
Prisoners of a Concept - Gabor Petroczi-Farkas, Risk Manager, SAP Africa, South Africa
The Audience
Both civil and military, government and industry organisations play essential roles in supporting Humanitarian and Disaster Response and it is important that understanding and co-operation is continuously developed between all providers. The extensive networking opportunities at this event will help to encourage innovative civil and military partnerships, relevant technologies and long-term commitments by the key stakeholders from across the entire African continent.
Attendees will be expected to attend from the following:
South African Air Force, Army and Navy (SANDF); Ministries of Defence and Interior from across the whole African continent; International Humanitarian and Disaster Offices and Relief workers; Development Agencies; National Disaster & Management Agencies, Various United Nations agencies involved in disaster response and humanitarian affairs; Disaster Response Teams; Government Aid Agencies;NGOs (not-for-profit organisations) such as The International Commitee of the Red Cross, Red Crescent, Oxfam, Save the Children, Secouristes Sans Frontieres, CARE International, Medicines sans Frontieres; Organisations such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), European Space Agency, International Maritime Organisations (IMO); Research and Education Establishments.
Participation Options
This event will target national and international policy makers, operational staff, industry, strategists and theorists worldwide to discuss how to deliver safer communities within and beyond their borders and to provide a platform to debate and share information between approximately 200+ attendees from 20 countries.
