Rapid Assessment for Resilient Recovery and ... - GFDRR

time of battery backup making them vulnerable in ‘cascade’ events (e.g. flooding could
affect power supply thus making mobile networks vulnerable, affecting broadcasting).
Alternative power supplies would include the provisioning of portable power generators
and sufficient supply of fuel could be planned for cell sites. Green alternatives such as
solar or wind power could break the dependence of the cell sites from the power grid,
especially at hard to reach locations.
The continuation of broadcasting to all communities before, during and after
disasters should be ensured. In this respect, it is suggested that communication from the
national early warning center to broadcasters be improved and engage broadcasts around
disaster risk reduction. Community radio stations could provide information in disaster
preparedness, disaster response and relief and post-disaster communications in accordance
with their community needs. It is important that broadcasters have the knowledge
and skills to communicate information on disaster risk reduction that will help communities
cope with disasters.
Guidelines for business continuity plans that include disaster risk management,
including response plan for rapid restoration of damage, should be developed. A primary
disaster emergency communications capacity is the standby capacity for the rapid deployment
of communications equipment during a disaster. Disaster recovery plans should be
periodically reviewed, updated and practiced.
Increasing information system reliability through the use of cloud computing should
be considered. It is critical that networks and information systems are reliable. Cloud
computing enables people to remotely access information systems though telecommunications
networks. At the same time, cloud computing empowers organizations to distribute
information systems across different geographical locations to reduce the risk that critical
information systems are affected by a single hazard. Organizations may increase their
resiliency and capacity to recover from disasters if they incorporate cloud-based information
systems to their business continuity and disaster recovery strategies.
A review of the policy and regulatory framework to ensure disaster risk reduction
measures are mainstreamed into the telecommunications and broadcasting sector is
recommended. In this respect, the Government of Thailand could consider initiating
studies towards a national emergency telecommunication strategy that addresses risk
reduction measures. The studies will require extensive consultations with the service
providers and be well extended into the long-term recovery period.
Strategy for Long-term Recovery and Reconstruction
The future expansion of telecommunications and broadcasting networks should be
designed to be more resilient to multi-hazards.
Relocation of critical telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructure in highrisk
areas should be undertaken.
Substantial investment by service providers to make their infrastructure more
resilient and better prepared for multi-hazards should be encouraged. The telecommunication
authorities should carry out studies on supporting policies for a telecommunications
regulatory environment conducive to investment, in line with the national disaster risk
reduction and disaster management strategies and plans.
THAI FLOOD 2011 RAPID ASSESSMENT FOR RESILIENT RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION PLANNING
133