MDRU Field Testing and Workshop for Community Training in Nepal

MDRU Field Testing and Workshop for Community Training in Nepal

The MDRU Field Testing and Workshop for Community Training in Nepal will showcase the importance and resiliency of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a tool for disaster mitigation and response.
Organizer: Educating Nepal (EN)
Partners: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT), Tokyo, Japan; Central Visayas Information Sharing Network Foundation, Inc. (CVISNET)., Cebu City, Philippines Date: 10 July to 12 July 2018
Workshop Days: 3 Days
Venue: Information and Communication Technology Center (ICTC) Conference Hall, Institute of Engineering(IOE), Pulchowk Campus
Local Participants: National Emergency Operation Center(NEOC), Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Institute of Engineering(IOE), Budhanilkantha Muncipality, National Society for Earthquake Technology(NSET)
Foreign Participants: Tohuku University, Sendai, Japan
The number of participants assumed: 20 local people

We live in 21st century now where technology is thriving more than ever. There is barely anything or any sector devoid of technology. Similarly, information has been an important aspect of society. Electric modes of information have been quintessential to quench the need of information and communication. Information Communication Technology (ICT) is a well- known concept in that regards. However, our concern is with benefits of information and communication technologies for disaster risk reduction and management. This is because

information in the disaster aftermath can be a lifesaving phenomenon. A reckless mode of information communication can spread dysfunctional dynamics with destructive consequences

We live in a country with a diverse geography mostly dominated by big hills and mountains. The communication system is not very reliable in remote areas of our country. In the aftermath of disaster the situation of connectivity aggravates intensifying the magnitude of loss. Families and community need proper communication especially after a big disaster like earthquake, landslide or flood. To overcome such problem we need to be prepared with some mobile communication system that can be reliably deployed at the time of dire need. We feel MDRU (Moveable and Deployable ICT Resource Unit) is the right solution for communication crisis on the aftermath of disaster.
What is MDRU?

The Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011 disrupted the whole communication system in the most affected regions of Japan for many days. This made many people realize how important communication is in the after scene of big disasters. NTT Network Innovation Laboratories responded to this crisis by proposing a resilient ICT architecture called Moveable and Deployable ICT Resource Unit (MDRU) to promptly enable the reestablishment of communication system of telephony and information sharing. Since then the concept has been tested and deployed in disaster vulnerable areas of different countries.

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation of Japan (NTT) in partnership with the Central Visayas Information Sharing Network Foundation, Inc. (CVISNET) and collaborated with the International Telecommunications Union of the United Nations (ITU), Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan (MIC) and the Department of Science and Technology of the Philippines (DOST); provided an MDRU to the Municipality of San Remigio,

Cebu, which was affected by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). Haiyan is the strongest recorded typhoon to make landfall and devastated the Visayas region in November 8, 2013.
MDRU provides minimum ICT service to meet communication demand in a disaster area soon after a disaster occurs.

1. Emergency recovery period: Real time communication demand increases explosively because of need to confirm status.
2. Tentative recovery period: Data communication demand increases because of information gathering by local governments and enterprises.

When a disaster occurs MDRU is carried to disaster affected area and promptly set up to deliver communication system for the people.

We are conducting a test and training program of MDRU in Nepal. The utility of MDRU in Nepal is not limited to disaster management. It can be efficiently used for community empowerment, health, security and education purposes. The following is the activity plan for introducing MDRU in Nepal.

On July 2018, Educating Nepal (EN) is partnering with CVISNET Inc., Philippines; NTT, Japan and Tohuku University, Japan to do field-testing and workshop on community training for disaster preparedness. It will be a platform for Asia pacific community to share experiences on ideas to come out resilient.

Nepal MDRU Field Testing and Training Kathmandu, Nepal
Training and Workshop
July 10-12, 2018

P R O GR A M M E