INFORMATION SHARING IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT AT ...

The First Saudi International Conference on cris and Disaster Management

INFORMATION SHARING IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT AT COMMUNITY LEVEL: LEARNING FROM STRATEGIES OF ANTS COLONY Aliyu Salisu Barau1

Ahmad Nazri Muhamad Ludin2

ABSTRACT: Research has shown that in the recent years disaster incidents are increasing rapidly all over the world. Natural disasters - geologic, climatic and biological hazards (such as earthquake, landslides, volcanic eruptions, windstorms, floods, viral epidemics etc) or anthropogenic disasters (such as industrial hazard contaminations, fire disasters, terror attacks etc) can strike anywhere without notice. Disasters inflict damages to people, infrastructure and generally stagnate the development process. In many countries, advanced technologies are used in disaster management or intervention programs. Some of the technologies are beyond the ability of common people to use. The main objective of this paper is to develop a simple, cost effective, and community friendly model that simplifies information flow in disaster management. This paper is developed based on principles of biomimicry (learning from nature), and integration of information and communications technology to design a framework for community information dissemination in pre-disaster and post-disaster scenarios. This multidisciplinary framework hinges on ideas derived from Quran (chapter 27: verse 18). The ideas of this verse are coupled with principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and social media networking. The framework is premised on community geographic information, participatory monitoring, internet access and social media platforms. The model underscores the vital role of community information sharing on looming disasters and identification of best solutions for disaster and knowledge about ambient environments. The paper affirms that the strength of disaster management lies in community participation. Community is the primary layer of the society and its ability to avert disasters depends on its information sharing capacity. The social media could effectively help contemporary communities to build friendly and functional disaster management information system similar to those of ant colony. KEYWORDS: Disasters, Ant, Information, community, management

1- INTRODUCTION Disasters are sudden, unwanted and usually unexpected disturbing events that cause damages and losses to population and environment as whole. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) categorises disasters into two classes - Natural (earthquake, hurricane, flood, fires etc.) or and Technological disasters such as terrorism, nuclear power plant emergencies, hazardous materials etc (Hristidis et al., 2010). This definition shows that the meaning of disaster varies from one society to another usually based on a nature of society’s experience with disasters. As such differences abound, and thus as example, Indonesians’ listing of disasters include: flood, landslide, earthquake, earthquake/tsunami, volcano, cyclone, epidemics and social conflicts (Indonesian National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction-PRB 2010). 1

Centre for Innovative Planning and Development, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia, [email protected] 2

Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia, [email protected] INFORMATION SHARING IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT AT COMMUNITY LEVEL: LEARNING FROM STRATEGIES OF ANTS COLONY

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Therefore, it could be argued that geography and level of technological advancement sometimes determine what disaster to expect and manage in a particular place. The number of natural and human induced disasters across the world is steadily rising (McBean 2012). In 2010, the world records some 950 natural catastrophes, about 90% of which are climate-related hazards (Munich Re 2011). The cost implications of disasters also keep rising dramatically across the world through the time. Kumar (undated) reveals the staggering figures as: $75.5 billion in 1960; $138.4 in 1970s; $213.9 in 1980s; and $659.5 billion in the 1990s. This shows how important disaster management is badly needed across the world. In fact, we need more innovative ways to search ways to tame disasters. Disaster management which is also referred to as crises management is defined as: the systematic attempt to identify and detect possible crises and to take actions and measures to prevent them, contain their effects or disruption, and finally recover (Constantinides, 2012). For this author, crises include both natural and human induced disasters like terrorism, economic crises and other forms of human error that can destabilise established patterns of running human activities. Disaster management models being developed are increasingly written in ambiguous scientific languages and tools that common people cannot understand easily. Some of these models are designed for corporations and agencies in the developed countries. An example of such seemingly expensive advanced technologies is explained in some research works (Mansurian et al. 2006; Ozguven and Ozbay, 2011 etc.). Many models focus on data collection and modelling of scenarios which scientists consider as part of disaster management strategies. Incidentally, some of these data capture tools are becoming less expensive and easy to use for data collection (Montoya, 2003). The said simplicity and low cost of such instrument may not make any difference to people at the grassroots. Similarly, in some cases researchers focussing on operational and logistical aspects of disaster management pay attention to disaster responders as is shown in (Nivolianitou and Synodinou, 2011). While that is not bad, it is important to always pay attention to the members of public to identify means by which they can help themselves at community level to help themselves overcome disasters. What is common to all models of disaster management is the vital role of information and its flow in disaster scenarios. The irony of all the observations given above is the fact that globalisation of information technologies has made flow and sharing of data and information – in all forms –text, numeric, video, audio- faster and easier than any time in the annals of humans. As Haklay et al. (2008) hinted, the birth of neogeography has created an ample opportunity for data sharing and use among non-technical users who now have access to numerous sources of free web based spatial data. This paper also builds on the role of using information to achieve grassroots participation in disaster and crises management. The ideas of this paper are developed based on principles of biomimicry (learning from nature), and integration of information and communications technology to design a framework for community information dissemination in pre-disaster and post-disaster scenarios. This multidisciplinary framework hinges on ideas derived from Quran (chapter 27: verse 18). The ideas of this verse are coupled with principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and social media networking. The proposed conceptual model could help communities in organizing effective and sustainable disaster management programs for most types of disaster and crises. The paper is organized into five sections of which the INFORMATION SHARING IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT AT COMMUNITY LEVEL: LEARNING FROM STRATEGIES OF ANTS COLONY

introductory section raises the research problem and the general picture of disaster and crises. Section two explores disaster management and the role of information and communications in disaster management. Section three explains how the model was developed; and section four sheds light on how the model operates. The concluding section explores the relevance and implications of the model for disaster crises and management in developing countries and some areas for further research.

2- THEORIES AND PRACTICES IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT Disaster management has become an interdisciplinary field of research (Hristidis et al., 2010) enjoying input from researchers from various disciplinary backgrounds. Despite differences in disaster categorisations, the authors maintain that the following measures are commonly applied in disaster management: prevention, advanced warning, early detection, analysis of the problem, and assessment of scope, notification of the public and appropriate authorities, mobilization of a response, containment of damage, relief and medical care for those affected. However, it is important to understand that the main challenge of disaster management is the ability to reduce harms to the people (Ozguven and Ozbay, 2011). The two major schools of thought in disaster management are: the Normal Accident Theory and High Reliability Organisations Theory (Constantinides, 2012). The former suggests that the overwhelming characteristics associated with human life systems and organisations in particular make accidents inevitable. On the other hand, the former argues that through trial and error and search for improvements safety can be achieved even in case of highly hazardous technologies. The perception of disaster and its management is given in Table 1 below. Table 1: Stages of disaster evolution and management – Source: Constantidinos 2012 Notionally normal starting point: Stage I

(a)Initial culturally accepted beliefs about the world and its hazards. (b)Associated precautionary norms set out in laws, codes of practice, mores and folkways.

Stage II

Incubation period: the accumulation of an unnoticed set of events which are at odds with accepted beliefs about hazards and the norms for their avoidance.

Stage III

Precipitating event: forces itself to attention and transforms general perceptions of Stage II.

Stage IV

Onset: the immediate consequences of the collapse of cultural precautions become apparent.

Stage V

Rescue and salvage — first stage adjustment: the immediate post-collapse situation is recognized in ad hoc adjustments which permit the work of rescue and salvage to be started.

Stage VI

Cultural readjustment: an inquiry or assessment is carried out and beliefs and precautionary norms are adjusted to fit the newly gained understanding of the world.

Scientists have presented a number of scenarios representing disaster management as shown graphically in Figures 1, 2 and 3 below. These are models that reflect on general scenarios in respect of societies’ peculiarities. Nonetheless, the scenarios reflect on one vital thing which is information and communication at every stage of disaster management.

INFORMATION SHARING IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT AT COMMUNITY LEVEL: LEARNING FROM STRATEGIES OF ANTS COLONY

Figure 1: stages of disaster management Source: http://nazshua.blog.com/2010/12/06/disaster-management-in-indonesia/

Figure 2: another scenario of disaster management – Source: Ozguven and Ozbay, 2011

Figure 3: a bigger picture of disaster management – Source: Montoya (2003)

Disaster and crises management issues have grown in the climate change literature where much attention is put on early warning systems. Early warning systems in the INFORMATION SHARING IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT AT COMMUNITY LEVEL: LEARNING FROM STRATEGIES OF ANTS COLONY

words of Waidyanatha, (2010), are strings of information communication systems comprising sensor, detection, decision, and broker subsystems used to forecast and signal disturbances adversely affecting the stability of the environment and giving sufficient time for the responders to prepare response actions to minimize the impact of disasters on the people and environment. Early warning systems are widely used in forecasting natural disasters and conflicts. In spite of their importance, the early warning systems’ articulation and linkages between the systems, hazards and conflicts is still not sound. This is because early warning systems are designed to serve interests of usually developed countries interveners (Meier, 2011).

2-1- ROLE OF INFORMATION IN DISASTER AND CRISES MANAGEMENT Information in disaster management often concerns the ability to capture data that could be used to predict disaster occurrence. For most natural and human induced disasters modern technologies and instruments such as mobile geographic information systems (Mobile GIS), high-resolution digital remote sensing (RS) imagery, global positioning systems (GPS), computer models, databases and indices as well as digital communication technologies dominate information collection scenarios (Montoya, 2003). These facilities are used for building spatial data infrastructure for disaster management (Mansurian et al. 2006). Due to the nature of challenges involving disaster proliferation, the search for alternative methods and philosophies is necessary.

2-2- BIOMIMICRY – A NEW SCIENCE FACILITATING SUSTAINABILITY In many sustainability research cycles, scientists look at the biological kingdom for solutions to problems plaguing human societies. The jargon commonly used for that is biomimetics. The word is synonymous with ‘biomimesis’, ‘biomimicry’, ‘bionics’, ‘biognosis’, and ‘biologically inspired design’ (Vincent et al., 2006). Based on the current challenges in the built environment, architects seek to popularise the concepts of biophilic and bioclimatic architecture. The former involves merger of architectural theory and nature to form a comfortable habitat, while the latter aims to maximise the functions of the nature around the built habitat (Almusaed, 2011). One important question is why should humans learn from the biological kingdom? In the words of Rosemond and Anderson (2003): “non-human species offer many ecological engineering examples that are often beneficial to ecosystem.” Biological observations enhance novelty in conceptualising design and inventions from nature’s functions, colours, shapes and behaviours (Wen et al. 2008; Wilson and Rosen, 2010). Materials from the biological realm also inspire applications into many aspects of human endeavours. The major merit of the bio-inspired design is ability to transfer concepts of the natural systems to create new ideas for sustainability (Memmott, et al, 2009). In spite of the wide range of application of biomimetics, it still lacks standard or uniform approach (Vincent et al.; 2006). In spite of that, Zari and Storey (2007) outline ecosystem principles to consider for the built environment. These are energy, optimization, dependency, local conditions, diversity, ecosystem vitality, renewability, and adaptability. Based on the 2007 work of Zari and Storey, the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) in Canada developed an elaborate and multilayered concept map for ecosystem based design.


2-3- INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION IN ANTS COMMUNITY Ants belong to family of social insects that etymologists classify as Formicidae. Ants whose species are over 11,000 or about 2% of the global known biodiversity are believed to be around the surface of the earth for over 100 million years (Wilson and Hölldobler, 2005). Ants are widely distributed species in most parts of the continents as scavengers eating on diverse sorts of foods (Jones, 2008). Ants’ anatomy shown in Figures 4 and 5 is constituted by a body system that allows them to adapt diverse environments across the world. Ants as social insects live in community simply called colony where life of the society is well coordinated through hierarchy of information flow. According to Franklin and Franks (2012), ants can achieve impressive feats of coordination by maximizing information flow. Scientists find that in spite of high traffic and congestion in ant colonies information flow and exchange is generally good (FarjiBrener et al. 2010). Communication determines level of efficiency and collective structure of ant communities (Deneubourgh et al 1987). It is also revealed that communication in ants is a socio-biological phenomenon aided by ants physiology as they are known to use pheromones – special hormones “to find good solutions to the shortest path problems between the nest and a food source”- (Chu et al 2004). Modern science has confirmed that ants produce sound to communicate disturbances as observed by Hölldobler et al (1994) who establish existence of “the conspicuous stridulatory sounds produced by the ant columns” and confirms that, “stridulation by raiding ants was observed exclusively as a response to disturbance.” Ants communicate with their colony members virtually in every activity, Pielström and Roces (2012) highlight that ”leaf-cutting ants stridulate while digging; the stridulation signals produced while digging are used for communication; and their nestmates react by digging close to other stridulating ants; and in general stridulation may contribute to the spatial organization of collective nest building”. Ant communication system is fascinating to scientists who simulate it in various forms using mathematical model as in Ant Communication System (ACS) as in Chu (et al 2004) or Zhao et al (2010) through their Ant Colony Optimisation (ACO) used for solving problems associated with communication network routing problem (CNRP). Therefore, in light of the above interesting revelations about the ants to explore how information flow or communication systems in the ants’ colony could facilitate information flow in disaster management in the human society. In the interest of strengthening interdisciplinary science, this study also looks at ant communications for disaster management as revealed in the Quran.


Figure 4

Figure 5

2-4- ANT AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN THE QURAN The Noble Quran, the Muslims’ main scripture also explains some aspects of information and communications systems of the ant colony and particularly in respect of disaster management. The verse of the Quran given blow portrays information flow system in a distressed ant colony. Reading the verse one can readily understand what the verse expresses against the backdrop of revelations of the modern science on the ant communication as explained in above section. The verse reports as follows: Till when they came to the valley of the ants, one of the ants said: “O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Sulaiman (Solomon) and his hosts should crush you, while they perceive not.” (Quran 27:18 (Naml-The Ants) What is unique about this communication reported in the Qur’an is the multidimensional flow of information between the ant colony and the source of threat – Sulaiman’s army – Quran 27-19 explains further: So he smiled, amused at its speech; and he said: "O my Lord! so order me that I may be grateful for Thy favors, which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: and admit me, by Thy Grace, to the ranks of Thy righteous Servants." This could mean when we are dealing with crises especially those driven by humans, our communications and information flow must be bold, and so clear to be able to reach the suspect groups so that they know that their threat is under watch.

3- MODEL DEVELOPMENT - FROM ANT COLONY TO HUMAN BUILT ENVIRONMENT Humans as more advanced animals live in a society that is more complex - spatially and behaviorally larger than colony of the ants. Nonetheless, humans could learn from and adapt mechanisms and principles from the biological diversity in order to solve problems. In the context of disaster management in the human built environment, this paper integrates principles of biomimicry, Geographic Information System (GIS) and social media (Figure 6). This is because in human societies technological developments determine level of access and capacity for dissemination of information to members of INFORMATION SHARING IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT AT COMMUNITY LEVEL: LEARNING FROM STRATEGIES OF ANTS COLONY

the society. At information age, the ability of members to take part in social issues using GIS and the internet is referred to as digital participation (Smith, 2006). Digital participation is inclusive of the relevance of spatial dimensions of human activity and hence the recognition of PAUGI – Participatory Approach Using Geographic Information as model for digital spatial participation. However, as the world continuous to witness breakthrough and migration from one higher technological output to another, it means the opportunities to share information also increase dramatically. Hence, the combination of GIS, social media would greatly enhance sharing of real time relevant information for the benefit of community members.

Biomimicry

GIS

Social Media

Adaptation of Ant Colony information flow system

Maps, and other spatial and non-spatial data

Dissemination and exchange of information

Alerted society

Known and expected disaster patternsn

Reliable information flow sysem

Sustainable Disaster management for at grassroots

Figure 6: multidisciplinary disaster management model

A hypothetical view of integration of biomimicry, GIS and social media in disaster management is given in Figure 6. The model assumes as follows: 

that internet services are available at local societies

 People have handsets compatible with internet and social media-Facebook, Twitter, Linked In etc are available. people can use mobiles and explore information such as weather reports, images  such Google earth 

Community members are connected to each other

3-1- INFORMATION FLOW SYSTEM IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT FOR GRASSROOTS It is shown in several studies that the ants’ means of communication are many – from vibrations, sounds, chemical releases etc (Chu et al. 2004; Pielström and Roces, 2012 etc). This dynamic information flow system involves all members of the ant colonyworkers, commoners and nobles. In contrast, to the situation in many developing INFORMATION SHARING IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT AT COMMUNITY LEVEL: LEARNING FROM STRATEGIES OF ANTS COLONY

countries where disaster management skills and information concentrate at hands of the public agencies and particularly military and paramilitary institutions. Globalisation of the information and communications technology has created vast opportunities that could be tapped for a wider dissemination of disaster and crises skills and information.

Open access data Community Social media groups

Internet Connection

Figure 7: community is focus of disaster management

As revealed in Figure 7, community is the focus of disaster management; the social media could be used to share open access data – which may include geographic information on physical geography, road and transport data of a community, collection of maps and other forms of vital data. Besides, internet connection is also essential as it is the bloodline for connecting community members through online groups and sharing of information relating to disaster management. The type of information needed is processed information not raw data. In most cases raw data could not be understood by all members of the society. Some of disaster types relevant for this type of model may include but not limited the following: 

Floods



Disease outbreaks



Criminal/bandits/robbery threats



Windstorm



Heat-waves



Fire outbreak



Sea level rise

In the context of ant colony disaster management system it is not only the information that is shared but the outright practicable and doable solutions. As reported in the Qur’an, one of the ants warned her colony members: O ants! Enter your dwellings…in case of humans; circumstances determine which appropriate measure would be taken INFORMATION SHARING IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT AT COMMUNITY LEVEL: LEARNING FROM STRATEGIES OF ANTS COLONY

to save life and property. It could be temporary relocation, teamwork, seeking assistance from outside the community or as consensus as determined by consensus reached through community online dialogue.

3-2- ROLE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MODEL

SERVICES

IN

COMMUNITY

DISASTER

Disaster management at grassroots level in developing countries could not be successful without creating conducive climate of operation. As mention above, availability of internet connectivity are crucial to achieving effectiveness of community disaster management. However, as in ant colony where information dissemination involves all hierarchies of the society, the same applies in the human built environment in order to realise and effective and functioning disaster management system. What is needed of such complementary and collaborative engagement is depicted in Figure 8 below.

community

Security agencies

health/safety agencies

policymakers

Figure 8: multi-level collaboration is crucial to effective functioning of information flow for disaster management

In other words, security and public sector have a supportive role to play in realising community disaster management. The policymakers are in position to ensure that access to internet in poor and rural communities is available. Policymakers should also ensure that important data on geographical information of communities are available for free for communities use. The communities should also have unimpeded access to security, health and safety establishments that can respond urgently to emergencies that may arise from such communities. Without complementary role of such establishments, disaster management information would be less satisfactory.

4-

CONCLUSIONS

Disaster and crises are growing as major sources of concern for sustainable development and human security and safety particularly in the developing countries. Scientific and technological advancement gives developed countries an edge in disaster and crises management. This paper proposes a conceptual model based on the scenarios of disaster management in ants’ colony as reported in the Quran in modern science. The ant colony communications system identified in the Qur’an some 14 centuries ago is INFORMATION SHARING IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT AT COMMUNITY LEVEL: LEARNING FROM STRATEGIES OF ANTS COLONY

now beyond any reasonable doubt confirmed by the peer reviewed modern science. So it is important for researchers to intensify search for knowledge across all borders of knowledge. It is in the culture of science to investigate problems and seek solutions in the context of multidisciplinary research. This paper has succeeded in doing that by paring religious and scientific views on disaster management. This research is purely conceptual and a bit speculative but at the same time, it enriches disaster management literature and triggers the need for more research in disaster management at grassroots level. Ants act by instinct, where as humans act by instinct, by force and or influence of the environment. Science and technological innovations give us opportunities to carry grassroots along and give the poor and local opportunities to prevent disasters at certain levels.

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