SC356: Research Skills Development

Real-time SMS Notification for Disasters

Management Alert System
Research Project BY IS06

Name: Student Id: Group:

Chandra Kishan S11145252 IS 06

Goundar Kishan S11145264 IS 06
Pillay Tanisha S11144693 IS 06
Keshwan Christine S11148580 IS 06
Rai Ashnita S11144650 IS 06

Supervisor: Vineet Singh

School: CS/IS
 Abstract

Modern technologies have the ability to predict the occurrence of natural disasters, most
developing countries are still facing difficulties to broadcast warning signals of imminent
disasters via mass communication in appropriate timing due to lack of proper ICT tools.
Currently, a lot of emphasis is being placed on redefining of mobile communication technologies
to be able to render near instant alerts of flash disasters to the general public via an SMS based
platform.
 Introduction

Natural disasters are events that results from natural processes of the Earth. Pacific island, East
and South Asia are among the most hazard prone areas in the world and because of this, most of
the human casualties of natural – triggered disasters have taken place in this region (Haque, C.
E., 2003). Over the past years, Fiji and other Pacific island countries have experienced natural
disasters that have left devastating consequences. Natural disasters such as tropical cyclone
Winston, Pam, Ula, Josie and Keni had left a massive number of people in the Pacific Islands
injured and homeless. It also caused economic losses and disruption of economic and social
progress (Fijisun.com.fj, 2019). Another major concern is the damage that is sustained by
infrastructure due to these natural disasters (Haque, C. E., 2003). The government of the affected
Pacific island countries have had to spend a massive amount of money on reconstruction and
rehabilitation. “These recurrent losses take away a significant proportion of the cumulative
economic gains accrued from development investments over many years" (Haque, C. E., 2003, p.
465). Majority of the time, people are affected by natural disasters due to not being alerted on
time or either not taking alerts and warnings seriously. Although natural disasters cannot be
avoided, there are steps that individuals and the disaster management committee can take to
minimize the damages and losses caused by them. Simple prevention measures taken before
disaster strikes can help residents protect their lives and property. This research report
particularly focuses on sending disaster alerts via “Real-time SMS notifications” on mobile
phones. Since mobile phones are the most common means of communication in today’s
generation, alert and warning notifications will be sent to every person possible via mobile
phones. The Real-time SMS notification for Disasters management will act as an alerting system
for and during disasters. SMS is used in modern handsets originated from radio telegraphy, in
radio memos pagers using standardized phone protocols. These are defined as the part of the
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) series of standards as a means of sending
messages up to 160 characters to and from GSM supported devices. The Real-time SMS
Notification for Disasters management alert system sends messages to the subscribers.
 Methodology

Quantitative Research Method

The research method for collecting the data for our project is quantitative research method. As
such, it is applicable to our project in representing the figures and thus using statistical means to
come to a conclusion. It will help in to collect the data which will help to analyze the number of
people who had been affected due to the late SMS alert in comparison with the number of people
who managed to evacuate themselves. Therefore, the tendencies could be illustrated using the
graphs for comparison of those data sets collected in numerical value. Data sets were collected
which were used to analyze the number of affected people on the basis of alert been given or not
for past 4 years cyclones and flood.

Qualitative Research Method

Online Survey It involved collecting information from the user’s end that includes information
about the organization, roles and responsibilities from the agencies and relief and rehabilitation.
Internet research was done for getting more information regarding disasters and disaster
management. We used USP databases to find relevant articles for alert based disaster
notification.
Results
 Conclusion

After carrying out this research, it could be conclusively said that an SMS based disaster alert
system should be a key ICT tool for government to aware and give necessary instructions to
people in a developing country like Fiji and the Pacific. Electricity and network outages in the
remote areas creates a lengthy communication channel between governments and public, where
SMS based mobile technology could be a great help to minimize it. The Disaster Management
Information Centre is already taking some initiatives to improve the knowledge skills related to
ICT to local people. This system will provide ministries and departments related to disaster
management issue, a key idea to use SMS technology as an alert tool.
 References

Haque, C. E. (2003). Perspectives of natural disasters in East and South Asia, and the Pacific
Island States: Socio-economic correlates and needs assessment. Natural hazards, 29(3), 465-483.

Fijisun.com.fj. (2019). Economic Impacts Of Natural Disasters. [online] Available at:

https://fijisun.com.fj/2018/04/14/economic-impacts-of-natural-disasters/ [Accessed 7 Oct. 2019].