Strategic Outcomes of and Future Outlook for Data-based Disaster Management: A Case Study in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The preparation and implementation of Disaster Management Plans and the National Emergency Plans are enabled by data collection, data storing and data sharing. The required data can be specified as environment- and disaster-related data relevant to the Sendai Framework and Rio Conventions. A case study was carried out in the district of Badulla, which has recorded the highest number of disaster events in Sri Lanka, in order to explore the gaps in data and information management, with the ultimate objective of ensuring a disaster-minimised district. The study revealed that there are shortcomings in data collection, data storage and data sharing, which are important for fulfilling the requirements of four pillars of disaster management, i.e., mitigation–minimising the effects of disaster, preparedness–planning on how to respond, response–efforts to minimise hazards created by a disaster; and recovery–returning the community to norma