When natural disasters strike, its not only people that are impacted, but it is also critical infrastructure that can be put into disrepair such as roads, hospitals and telecommunications. In the news this week, this is what happened when the Haiti earthquake which hit the Caribbean nation’s centre. 

Authorities must be prepared to quickly respond to assist communities and individuals in need. That preparation includes getting access to the right communications systems quickly and working closely with telecommunication service providers.  

The telco industry is only part of the entire chain that ensures communities are ready for the inevitable natural disasters that arise from time to time. Nevertheless, our experience as an industry in dealing with disasters is continually improving as we face each extreme event.  

Its hard to imagine, but 55 million people were impacted by 224 extreme weather disasters across the globe in 2009 alone.  These numbers mean that the majority of natural disasters that were experienced last year were, in fact, weather related (about 90-95% of all natural disasters).  

Unfortunately, with the scientific data telling us that our globe is warning, the planet is increasingly likely to see an increase in the severity of natural disasters including cyclones/hurricanes, bush fires, and storms, and at increased intensity.

Blogs & Related sites 

• Telstra also has a strong capability in emergency management. I am continually impressed by the innovation I see from across the company when it comes to preparing for, and responding to natrual disasters.  
• Recent blogs discuss how important broadband networks are in managing in emergencies (A matter of degrees ; Bushfire readiness update). 
• Telstra’s approach to managing its network during periods of extreme weather are highlighted in Telstra’s published Carbon Disclosure Report
• See Telstra’s Disaster Relief program
• Also check out the Federal Government’s Trusted Information Sharing Network which provides industry and government a forum to share vital information on critical infrastructure protection and organisational resilience.
• Climate Risk P/L, recently ran a climate change summit last year which covered the readiness of industries in Australia to extreme weather events. Check out the published report.