Fwd: IKE SURVIVORS WANT PHONE NUMBERS, NOT ONLY WEBSITES FOR DISASTER RELIEF

the case below reported by Ben is a good example of how information model
does not adequately support the relief chain
I think we can keep it in our 'live' library of real life situations where a
few simple tweaks fo the information model could make a  difference and fill
the gaps

just a few toughts

1. it should be relatively simple to have a systemt that matches ice
requests with ice supply
(ice supply location = ice need location)

2. although it is understandable that websites are not the best way to log
requests for assistance during the moment of emergency, it is also very easy
to have what we called 'phone to blog' entries, whereby a request can be
logged
via an sms or phone call, and recorded in real time onto a web based system

3. via a simple schema, such requests can be matched/dispached to supply
distributions centers that can be used by relief agencies to target their
distribution

can someone tell me what would be the problem is setting up such a simple
system? i cant' see any


thanks

PDM



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ben Smilowitz <Ben@disasteraccountability.org>
Date: Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 8:18 AM
Subject: IKE SURVIVORS WANT PHONE NUMBERS, NOT ONLY WEBSITES FOR DISASTER
RELIEF

Contact:  Ben Smilowitz: 314-761-7631
 *Ben@DisasterAccountability.org* <Ben@DisasterAccountability.org>
*For Immediate Release:*

*IKE SURVIVORS WANT PHONE NUMBERS, NOT ONLY WEBSITES FOR DISASTER RELIEF
**
*
*MANY WAITING FOR INFORMATION ON ICE DELIVERY, GENERATORS, SHELTER COOLING*
*
*
*WATCHDOG TO FEMA:  Reverse Ice Policy Now, Deliver Ice.  Medical
Emergencies Will Happen If Individuals Do Not Have Access To Ice*
*
*
Heat Relief Shelters and Cooling Centers in Houston needed ASAP:  There are
reports of no air-conditioned shelters in Houston. Temperatures may be as
high as 100 F on Sunday.

Numerous calls have arrived on the Disaster Accountability Project's Hotline
today from Texans frustrated that many relief groups are encouraging
individuals to apply online for post-disaster services when four million+
Gulf Coast residents are without power.

*Hotline message: "*Yes, I'm listening to the local radio stations in TX
with disaster Ike.  Everybody keeps referring to 'check us out online' (for
relief services, etc).  Well we have 2.2. million people who have no
electricity, who have no cable, who have no telephone so they can't 'check
out online,' it just gets rather aggravating.  Thank you."  ***SOUND FILES
AVAILABLE***

"FEMA and other relief services need to accommodate the 4.4 million without
power and internet because of Ike.  Add more phone lines to call centers and
expect more calls and less online registrations or information delivery via
the web.  These are things that should have been learned after Katrina---
hopefully we won't have the same issues after Ike.  We've had plenty of time
to fix these things," said Ben Smilowitz, Executive Director, Disaster
Accountability Project.

*Ice Delivery*

Multiple hotline messages asked about ice delivery plans.  Now that FEMA has
dropped post-disaster ice delivery responsibilities, it is unclear who is
delivering ice, and how ice will be delivered.  This information should be
made available before a disaster strikes, not after.

"If individuals do not have ice for prescriptions, there will be more
medical emergencies and the emergency response system will be even more
stressed.  FEMA should step up to the plate and ensure ice is delivered as
soon as possible," said Ben Smilowitz, Executive Director, Disaster
Accountability Project.  The Disaster Accountability Project is leading a
national campaign to reverse FEMA's post-disaster ice delivery policy.

*Cots and Mattresses* were not provided at all TX shelters last night.
 Hopefully this will be addressed as soon as possible.

*Disaster Food Stamp Assistance Information:  *Expedited disaster food-stamp
assistance information will be needed ASAP and not only on the web.  FEMA
and TX government should ensure this information is available at relief
sites and shelters.  Food Stamp services took too long to be delivered after
Gustav-- some Gustav-affected communities are only now finding out that they
qualify.

*Toxic Water Risks: *Not enough information on the ground about toxic water
risks.

*Red Cross Should Share Portion of Fundraising With Local
Organizations: * Local
organizations must also fundraise to meet local needs but major fundraising
efforts by larger relief organizations with heavy advertising often crowd
out local organizations' abilities to raise funds.

*
*
*PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TOLL FREE HOTLINE IN AFFECTED AREAS:  866-9-TIP-DAP
(866-984-7327)*

The Disaster Accountability Project's toll-free hotline (866-9-TIP-DAP) is
accepting Hurricane Ike-related calls from Gulf Coast residents and relief
workers. Should there be gaps in Disaster Relief services before or after
landfall, individuals should use the toll-free hotline (866-9-TIP-DAP) to
report the specific location and nature of the service gaps.  Please
distribute in affected areas and locations that receive evacuees.

"The sooner gaps in services are realized, the faster they'll be addressed,"
said Ben Smilowitz, Executive Director, Disaster Accountability Project, and
former site-manager of a Red Cross Client Service Center in Gulfport, MS
soon after Katrina hit.  "After Katrina, there was no whistleblower
hotline.  Public knowledge of gaps in disaster relief services will better
ensure they're quickly addressed—and made a top priority."

The nonpartisan Disaster Accountability Project provides accountability and
oversight to the nation's disaster prevention, response, relief, and
recovery systems through monitoring and policy research.

A toll-free hotline (866-9-TIP-DAP) is available as a public service for
disaster survivors, workers and volunteers to report critical gaps in
disaster prevention, response, relief, and recovery services or
planning.  The group is recruiting a national network of Disaster
Accountability Monitors and Bloggers to help report, verify, and publicize
gaps in disaster services or planning.

The Disaster Accountability Project's website is *
http://www.DisasterAccountability.org*<http://www.DisasterAccountability.org/>

Disaster Accountability Project is a 2008 Echoing Green Fellowship
Organization.
For more information:
*http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellows/ben-smilowitz*<http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellows/ben-smilowitz>

*PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TOLL FREE HOTLINE IN AFFECTED AREAS:  866-9-TIP-DAP
(866-984-7327)*
*
*
--30--



-- 
Paola Di Maio
School of IT
www.mfu.ac.th
*********************************************