How can information systems facilitate post-disaster recovery and learning from lessons learned?

1 Data collection and analysis

One of the first steps in post-disaster recovery is to assess the extent and impact of the damage, identify the needs and priorities of the affected population, and allocate the available resources and assistance. Information systems can help collect, store, analyze, and visualize data from various sources, such as satellite imagery, drones, sensors, social media, surveys, and reports. Data analysis can help generate insights, trends, patterns, and forecasts that can inform decision-making and planning. For example, information systems can help map the damage and debris, identify the most vulnerable and isolated areas, estimate the demand and supply of goods and services, and monitor the progress and outcomes of recovery efforts.

2 Information sharing and communication

Another key aspect of post-disaster recovery is to ensure that relevant and timely information is shared and communicated among different actors, such as government agencies, humanitarian organizations, private sector, media, and the public. Information systems can help create, manage, and disseminate information through various channels, such as websites, mobile apps, social media, radio, TV, and print. Information sharing and communication can help coordinate actions, avoid duplication and gaps, raise awareness and engagement, solicit feedback and participation, and provide guidance and support. For example, information systems can help create common platforms and standards for data exchange, disseminate alerts and updates, solicit donations and volunteers, and provide access to services and resources.

3 Collaboration and coordination

Post-disaster recovery involves a complex network of actors with diverse roles, responsibilities, interests, and capacities. Collaboration and coordination among these actors are essential to ensure effective and efficient use of resources, alignment of goals and strategies, and avoidance of conflicts and disputes. Information systems can help facilitate collaboration and coordination by enabling communication, information sharing, data analysis, and decision support. Information systems can also help create and maintain a shared situational awareness, a common operational picture, and a joint action plan. For example, information systems can help establish and manage command and control centers, create and update dashboards and maps, support multi-criteria analysis and scenario planning, and document and track actions and results.

4 Learning and improvement

Post-disaster recovery also provides an opportunity to learn from the experience and improve the preparedness and resilience of the communities and ecosystems for future disasters. Learning and improvement require capturing, storing, analyzing, and applying the knowledge and lessons learned from the disaster response and recovery. Information systems can help support learning and improvement by enabling data collection and analysis, knowledge management, evaluation and feedback, and innovation and adaptation. Information systems can also help disseminate and transfer the knowledge and lessons learned to other contexts and stakeholders. For example, information systems can help create and maintain databases and repositories of best practices, case studies, and lessons learned, conduct surveys and assessments of the recovery performance and impact, identify gaps and opportunities for improvement, and test and implement new solutions and approaches.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?