IASC Weekly (GVA) - Effective us of the global disaster alert and coordination system
Geneva
Meeting Documents
1. The effective us of the global disaster alert and coordination system
Mr. Thomas Peter, Manager Emergency centre Relief Coordination Centre and GDACS Secretariat, OCHA, will discuss the effective use of the GDACS system, with special focus on the virtual on-site operations coordination centre (OSOCC). He will discuss, why this tool is a key for disaster managers worldwide and how it can be used effectively. Thomas Peter will also present new initiatives to improve the GDACS services, how they link to other coordination mechanisms and their opportunity to support cluster coordination. During the first days after major sudden-onset disasters, the affected country and a vast number of international actors collect and analyse information in order to plan their response. This activity is typically carried out simultaneously with varying speed, relevance and accuracy, using multiple information channels and applying different procedures. During the initial planning phase, there is usually little or no information exchange between international responders. Decisions are often based on patchy information, inaccurate sources or assumptions. The planned or mobilised assistance of other organisations is rarely drawn into consideration. This often results in duplication, gaps, overlap or even inappropriate response, occasionally associated with high costs. GDACS services aim at facilitating information exchange among all actors in support of decision-making and coordination. GDACS services build on the collective knowledge of disaster managers worldwide and the joint capacity of all relevant disaster information systems.
Background
The global disaster alert and coordination system (GDACS) is a cooperation framework under the United Nations umbrella. It includes disaster managers and disaster information systems worldwide and aims at filling the information and coordination gap in the first phase after major disasters.GDACS provides real-time access to web-based disaster information systems and related coordination tools.
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