Virtual OSOCC

Global Disaster Alert andCoordination System

(GDACS)and

GDACS Established in 2004 as cooperation framework under UN

umbrella Web-based decision support system for disaster

managers Automatic alerts Automatic impact estimations Web-based coordination platform Maps and satellite images Disaster information standards (GLIDE, structured information)

Stakeholders and partners Disaster managers (governments, NGOs, UN, etc.) Disaster information systems (UN and EC) Scientific institutions (e.g. seismological)

Structure: Annual meeting of GDACS stakeholders and Steering

Committee

GDACS Scope

structuredresponse

Sudden-onsetdisaster

GDACS + Virtual OSOCC2-3 weeks

GDACS Alerts and impact estimations• Free SMS/e-mail alerts

• www.gdacs.org

• Service by theEuropean Commission

• Alerts based on possiblehumanitarian impact

• Free SMS/e-mail alerts

• www.gdacs.org

• Service by theEuropean Commission

• Alerts based on possiblehumanitarian impact

Disaster coordination• Password protected

• Disaster managers only

• Service by OCHA

• Real-time informationexchange

• Activated minutes afterdisaster event

• Password protected

• Disaster managers only

• Service by OCHA

• Real-time informationexchange

• Activated minutes afterdisaster event

Standardised structure = predictability• Standard information

structure = predictability

• Moderated discussions

• Maps and fileattachments

• Information exchangewith other systems

• Standard informationstructure = predictability

• Moderated discussions

• Maps and fileattachments

• Information exchangewith other systems

Coordinating deployments• International responders

• Capacity of mobilisedassets

• Coordination planningin the field

• Decision support at HQ

• International responders

• Capacity of mobilisedassets

• Coordination planningin the field

• Decision support at HQ

Operational questions Request for international assistance

Needs

Immigration and customs

Logistics support

Coordination structures in the field

Areas of Assignment

VO is widely used

15,000 subscribers (disaster organisations) – 20% annual increase

More than 60 crisis centers

In disasters and simulation exercises

Nigeria floods

CURRENTDISASTERCURRENTDISASTER

Earthquake exercise Austria

SIMULATIONLAST WEEKSIMULATIONLAST WEEK

NATO/PfP exercise Georgia

SIMULATIONLAST WEEKSIMULATIONLAST WEEK

INSARAG exercise Mexico

SIMLATIONTHIS WEEKSIMLATIONTHIS WEEK

Tendencies of development Increased use in disasters and simulations Integration with other systems Standardisation = predictability New trend: Support of international field

coordination Development of best practice = evolution Network national and regional crisis

centres = think-tank ?

THANK YOU

Office for the Coordinationof Humanitarian Affairs

(OCHA)