AÏDA – Providing a framework for objective assessment of ICT for Disaster Risk Management in Africa

As part of its recently renewed interest in Africa, the European Commission has funded the 2-year project “AÏDA Advancing ICT for DRM (Disaster Risk Management) in Africa”. AÏDA is primarily an inventory of the ICT situation in Africa – at continental, regional and national scales – to guide European funding decisions in R&D and capacity building in Africa. The first project objective was to develop a conceptual framework for the assessment of ICT for DRM, to serve as the basis for the in-depth regional and detailed studies in 4 countries. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the structure of this CF and its principal findings. By evaluating existing ICT achievements that are or can be applied towards DRM, but also limitations and bottlenecks, the CF can also guide governmental or non-governmental agencies focusing on DRM in Africa, as well as to target research efforts.