DISCLAIMER
The views expressed herein are entirely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions
or official positions of any donors, project partners, the Organization of American States, its General
Secretariat or its Member States.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© (2010) General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS). Published by the Department
of Sustainable Development. All Rights reserved under International and Pan-American Conventions.
No portion or the contents may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage retrieval system, without
prior permission in writing from the publisher and the General Secretariat of the OAS.
OAS Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Country profiles : information and communication technologies : applying information and communication
technologies for disaster mitigation in the Central American isthmus and the Dominican Republic / [prepared
by the Department of Sustainable Development of the General Secretariat of the Organization of
American States].
p. : ill. ; cm. (OAS official records ; OEA/Ser.D/XXIII.4)(OEA documentos oficiales ; OEA/
Ser.D/XXIII.4)
ISBN 978-0-8270-5469-1
1. Information resources management--Natural disasters--Central America. 2. Information resources
management--Natural disasters--Dominican Republic. 3. Information technology--Central America. 4.
Information technology--Dominican Republic. 5. Communication--Central America. 6. Communication-Dominican Republic. I. Organization of American States. Department of Sustainable Development. II. Series.
III. Series. OEA documentos oficiales ; OEA/Ser.D/XXIII.
T58.62.C4 P47 2010 OEA/Ser.D/XXIII.4 Eng
This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre,
Ottawa, Canada
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
3
PRESENTATION:
“Country
Profiles:
Information
and
Communication
Technologies”
consists
of a brief
presentation by country of the
technological, institutional and regulatory
frameworks supporting the development of the
Information and Communication Technologies
in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican
Republic. Each profile is accompanied by a
general introduction to the national context of
disaster risk and an institutional and regulatory
framework analysis related to disaster risk
reduction. This publication is one of the final
products of the project: “Applying Information
and Communication Technologies for Disaster
Mitigation in the Central American Isthmus”
(hereinafter “the Project”), implemented by
the Department of Sustainable Development
of the Secretariat of the Organization of
American States (OAS/DSD), and funded
by the International Development Research
Center (IDRC), through the Inter-American
Institute for Connectivity (ICA).
The objective of this study is to support the
development of the Project’s sustainability
strategy as well as to provide a context
for the formulation of the Project´s Policy
Document. Similarly, these profiles will be an
organic part of the website with access to the
ICT georeferenced online catalogue applied
to disaster mitigation, and will possibly
be included as supplemental information in
the country profiles presented by the InterAmerican Network for Disaster Mitigation
(INDM).
The information was obtained through desk
work, using the ICT statistics from official
sources as the main source of information,
and through systematic internet-based review
of the legislation, regulations and institutions
related to the thematic area of ICTs. A special
effort was made to include the direct links to
the information source available online through
the internet.
These profiles are intended to provide an
overview of the development in terms of
regulations and supports related to ICTs, in
order to assess and measure the opportunities
for the most specific application of ICTs in the
field of disaster risk reduction. In that respect,
the country profiles are not necessarily
comprehensive nor do they claim to be the
state of the art in the field, but instead, can
be used as a context for the basic objectives
of the Project. On the other hand, in an area
as dynamic as ICTs, any descriptive attempt
of what is currently happening in the countries
has a high probability of becoming outdated
very quickly. Therefore, these profiles should
be considered as a complement for all the final
products of the Project and not as an isolated
product.
CONTENTS:
TABLE OF
Presentation
3
Background and justification
7
Description
9
Profile Structure
15
Introduction to the topic of Information and Communication
Technologies
13
Main technologies identified as common to the various countries
in the region and three of the main institutions related to the topic
of applying ICTs to disaster mitigation
General characteristics of ICTs and its application to disaster
mitigation in the Central American region and in the Dominican
Republic
Country profile: Belize
16
Country profile: Costa Rica
25
Country profile: El Salvador
34
Country profile: Guatemala
45
Country profile: Nicaragua
55
Country profile: Panama
65
Country profile: Dominican Republic
76
References
88
Annexes
89
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
7
GENERAL INFORMATION
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
Background
The Department of Sustainable Development
(OAS/DSD) of the Executive Secretariat for Integral
Development (SEDI) of the General Secretariat
of the OAS is currently implementing a Risk
Management Program (RISK-MACC) as part of the
activities intended to provide technical assistance
to the OAS Member States for the development of
Natural Disaster Risk Management public policies.
To that end and within such Program’s framework,
the OAS/DDS recently created an Inter-American
Network for Disaster Mitigation (INDM) with the
financial support of the Canadian government,
through its Canadian International Development
Agency (CIDA).
Reduction of vulnerability to natural risks,
contingency planning and preparedness for
extreme events, and natural disaster mitigation
demand “good” governance in order to coordinate
efforts among a great number of governmental
and non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
private enterprises, and civil society as a whole,
including members of the communities located
furthest away from the capitals. This requires a
broad range of data and information ranging from
risk and vulnerability mapping, evaluation of losses
and damages, scientific data and knowledge
- including existing knowledge, knowledge of
natural phenomena, such as El Niño Southern
Oscillation (ENSO), and regional and local climate
change scenarios, through early warnings and
contingency and preparedness plans.
With the development of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs), a great deal
of information and knowledge is available, including
the information generated by satellite systems
for terrestrial and atmospheric observation and
other remote sensors, gathered by government
agencies, private data and information providers,
among others.
The use of ICTs for disaster mitigation responds to
the following needs:
a. Access and distribution of data: met through
institutional strengthening, capacity-building,
education and public awareness, active
involvement of the affected communities
and inter-agency coordination, at all levels
and among all levels - local, national and
international;
b. Search for creative approaches: in order to
improve the preparedness and response
mechanisms so as to reduce the vulnerability
to natural risks, particularly floods and
droughts, which represent a high impact topic
in development; and
c. Timely availability of information: about
the occurrence of extreme meteorological
phenomena, in order to help the rural
communities to be prepared to cope with these
kinds of events.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
8
Justification
The Project
addresses the OAS/DSD
responsibilities emanating from the General
Assembly and the Summit Process of the Americas.
Specifically, this Project responds to AG/RES.
2314 (XXXVII-O/07), which instructs the General
Secretariat, through the Executive Secretariat
for Integral Development and its Department of
Sustainable Development:
a. “To cooperate with member States and to
coordinate its efforts with the Caribbean
Disaster Emergency Management Agency
(CDEMA), the Coordination Center for the
Prevention of Natural Disasters in Central
America (CEPREDENAC), the Andean
Committee for Disaster Prevention and
Assistance (CAPRADE), relevant United
Nations agencies, and other national centers
in the member States, in order to implement
the Hyogo Framework for Action; and
a. To work closely with the appropriate national,
regional, and international agencies on
increasing the resilience of local communities
and the most vulnerable sectors, with emphasis
on developing and implementing risk selfassessment tools and systems…”
The Project also responds to the mandates
emanating from the Santa Cruz Summit on
Sustainable Development, the Santa Cruz
Declaration and Plan of Action + 10 and the InterAmerican Program for Sustainable Development
(PIDS 2006-2009) adopted by the Inter-American
Council for Integral Development (CIDI).
Finally, the Project is framed along the commitments
agreed upon with the UNISDR through a
Cooperation Agreement signed in June, 2007,
during the First Session of the UNISDR Hyogo
Framework for Action Regional Platform of the
Americas, for the implementation of the Regional
Platform for the Americas.
This agreement
identifies the development of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs) for the
exchange of information and knowledge, including
lessons learned and best practices for natural
disaster risk management, as one of the actions
to be developed in cooperation between both
organizations.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
9
DESCRIPTION
OF THE PROJECT
Description of the Project
With the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), there is a great deal
of information and knowledge available, collected and processed by organizations, both national and
international, public and private, as well as by other data providers. However, this information does not
reach the most vulnerable people, and even less at the time and in the manner they need it most.
After hurricanes Mitch and Georges in 1998, extensive efforts were made in the mapping of natural
hazards and the mapping of the vulnerability of the social and economic infrastructures. Since then, ICTs
have been developed to provide a tool for quick and expedient access to information. However, this
valuable information, along with historic data is not readily available and regularly updated, and when it is
available and updated, it does not come in a format and level to be understood by everyone.
Therefore, the problem is not the availability of data, but its delivery and accessibility, which can only
be approached by institutional strengthening, capacity building, public awareness and participation,
education and inter-institutional coordination.
In the countries of the Central American Isthmus, experience shows that even if the information is there,
it reaches the communities at a much later time, increasing their vulnerability, the deterioration of their
local infrastructure and the loss of lives.
This is why particular attention will be paid to innovative practices and tools which include technology
applications with the participation of the civil society, including community-based organizations, such as
local radios, agricultural cooperatives, schools, and cultural and community centers, among others.
Purpose of the project
Beneficiary countries
To identify and assess the performance of
innovative Information and Communication
Technology applications (ICT), in order to close
the gap between information and data providers
and the final users in the most vulnerable
communities of the Central American Isthmus and
the Dominican Republic.
The beneficiary countries of this Project are: Belize,
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua,
Panama and the Dominican Republic.
Objective
To identify and assess the performance of
innovative Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) providing expert criteria
and opinions for an effective exchange of
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
10
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
lessons learned and practical experiences, so
as to facilitate the adaptation, transfer and/or
reproduction of those experiences in vulnerable
communities in the Central American Isthmus.
Applications to be considered
Even though the inventory contains a wide range of
Information and Communication Technologies, the
emphasis will be on Communication Technologies,
because of the need to develop, deepen and
optimize
communication
mechanisms
that
would allow, not only to inform the communities
but to reveal their needs, cultural values and
idiosyncrasies with regard to disaster mitigation
as well. Particular emphasis will be placed on
Communication as a “two way” or a “transaction”
mechanism, contrary to the “one way” information
mechanisms. Also, it does not emphasize Early
Warning Systems, since there are other initiatives
underway and, in particular, one which is ready to
begin with the OAS/DDS and the UNISDR on these
technologies. Other technologies to consider are
the following:
hh GIS [Geographic Information System]
applications and image processing for the
mapping of hazards vulnerabilities, and
floods and droughts models.
hh Application of remote sensors for weather
forecast .
hh Observation and monitoring systems
of hydrological and meteorological
phenomena for floods, managed by the
communities .
hh AM/FM warning radio systems, with
emphasis on rural communities and highly
vulnerable watersheds, and early warning
communication systems through sirens
located and activated by schools, assistance
centers or government facilities.
hh Warning communication systems through
community local radio stations; other
means available.
It is worth noting that this is not an attempt to create
new ICT applications. The goal is to understand
the existing technologies and to exchange “good
practice” experiences in order to replicate them in
the region.
Expected results
hh Online ICT applications catalog, with
performance evaluation and technical
criteria and opinions for its use and
selection.
hh Needs assessments in two pilot sites: Río
Negro and Río San Juan.
hh Guide and handbook, including criteria
and parameters for the identification of the
most appropriate ICTs.
hh A website integrated into the Regional
Disaster Information Center Latin America
and the Caribbean (CRID, by its Spanish
acronym) and the Central American
Coordination Center for the Prevention of
Natural Disaster (CEPREDENAC), online
institutional database and GIS catalog.
hh Policy document with recommendations for
the Regional Plan for Disaster Reduction.
Methodology
The Project Document clearly stated its objectives
and expected results, in addition to fostering the
consolidation of local structures, and sought to
act as a catalytic agent with other projects and
initiatives developed or to be developed in the
region.
The proposed methodology for developing activities
and attaining objectives include methods and
techniques such as desk research, surveys, data
collection, interviews, and public consultations,
seeking to promote the broad participation of every
sector directly or indirectly involved in this thematic
area, both from the public and private sector and
from the civil society.
The methodology sought to coordinate efforts,
exchange knowledge and experiences, obtain
accurate and timely information, and establish
and/or strengthen a consolidated and wellinformed institutional work structure, committed to
the development of the project and its objectives.
In response to this methodological approach and
taking into consideration the agreement reached
by the Steering Committee, the organization of
National Working Groups will be promoted with
the participation of governmental institutions, nongovernmental organizations and other institutions.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
11
Finally, the methodology also aims at the development of strategies that along the way and based on
each country´s own experience, can identify risks and critical paths so as to anticipate solutions and
alternative avenues.
Duration of the project:
The duration of the project was 18 months and it was launched in May 2008.
Steering Committee
For purposes of decision-making on project execution, a Steering Committee was created, including
the following members: the Office of the OAS/DDS Director, the International Strategy for Disaster
Reduction Regional Office for the Americas (UNISDR), the Coordination Center for the Prevention of
Natural Disasters in Central America (CEPREDENAC), the Regional Disaster Information Center Latin
America and the Caribbean (CRID) and a National Operational Focal Point of the Inter-American Network
for Disaster Mitigation (INDM) from one of the project participating countries.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
13
INTRODUCTION
It is essential to start with a clear and broad
vision of the approaches and concepts that will
provide a basis for the understanding of this
important subject. First, we will begin by stating
that technology is much more than equipment
or devices; technology is directly related to the
economic, political and social values of a country,
whose goal should be to place knowledge at the
service of human beings and allow them to reach
their goals and solve their problems.
Central America has been affected by natural
events that have caused deaths and destruction,
significantly impacting its development with the
consequent poverty increase, particularly in
the countryside, compromising food production
and encouraging the deterioration of the natural
resources (soil and water quality), which are
essential to the development of the agricultural
sector. These events have shown the high
vulnerability of the Central American countries and
particularly of their agricultural sector.
Inadequate or traditional farming practices which
are not consistent with the preservation of natural
resources (particularly regarding the management
of soil, water and vegetation cover), and lack
of preparedness on the part of institutions and
populations to cope with these kind of events,
have resulted in damages that reached alarming
proportions, making it imperative to redefine
the technological strategy being applied, and to
strengthen risk management capacity.
Nowadays, disasters are one of the most
important obstacles for development. The loss of
human lives, the destruction of livelihood and the
devastation of natural areas are just some of the
resulting consequences.
This context requires the development of new
strategies to identify, obtain, process, adapt and
use information and knowledge, strengthening its
own management capacity. Taking this reality into
consideration, efforts should be geared towards
the application and development of nontraditional
technologies and towards the strengthening of the
management capacity among producers and its
organizations, making it possible to respond to the
issues surrounding these areas.
The application of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) contributes significantly to
mitigate the impact and consequences of disasters.
The documented bibliography shows an important
number of successful experiences on the different
ICT uses and applications on disaster mitigation
and management, such as:
hh Detection of adverse natural events: allows
for the detection of possible destructive
events, which could somehow cause a
disaster, by relying on satellites and sensors
that can remotely process data, measure
and transmit climatic parameters or of any
other kind.
hh Early warning: early detection of the
proximity of an event or disaster requires
rapid communication. Mass telephone
warning systems can be a solution; cellular
phones offer a huge potential in the poorest
regions, where prediction, prevention and
early warnings are essential to save lives
and personal property.
hh Preparedness of the population: civil
defense systems and scientific-technical
institutions, which research and generate
data and information use websites to inform
and train the population (soap operas, online
games), accessible through the internet
or through cell phones, which provide
orientation, education and entertainment all
at once.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
14
hh Access to information in real time:
the internet is an excellent means of
communication to check for updated
information. There is an ever-increasing
number of websites providing online
information which contribute data in addition
to images, many of them from satellites.
hh Coordination
and
humanitarian
assistance: web information systems as
well as some software applications (SUMA)
contribute to a more direct and efficient
cooperation in the process of emergency of
supplies and humanitarian help.
These are just some of the applications which
undoubtedly reduce disaster impact. However, this
technology is not always within everyone´s reach.
Many remote or extremely poor areas in the
countries of the region do not even have
basic communications, and therefore, are
more vulnerable to the social and economic
consequences of disasters. The contribution of
new technologies is clearly visible in the detection,
prevention,
mitigation,
preparedness
and
response to disasters, including coordination and
management of humanitarian aid.
During the past few years, the Central American
countries and the Dominican Republic have made
significant efforts in the massive use of ICTs,
but we cannot ignore the fact that technology
advances very rapidly, forcing us to face constant
challenges and move forward under the weak
structural conditions of our development. We hope
that the tool resulting from this project contributes
to the improvement of conditions in the region
and becomes a significant contribution to the
development process in the communities most
vulnerable.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
15
STRUCTURE
OF COUNTRY PROFILES
Country Profiles - Information and
Communication Technologies
Countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama and the
Dominican Republic
Country profiles are presented in alphabetical order
starting with Belize and ending with the Dominican
Republic [Translator’s note: the countries are
in alphabetical order according to their names
in Spanish; therefore, in the English version the
Dominican Republic will be placed at the end of
the list]. Each country profile is structured in four
sections, followed by a list of source references.
The four sections are described below:
hh GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE
COUNTRY
General information on the country is presented,
such as geographical location (borders),
population, language, currency, and a brief
socioeconomic description.
hh RISK SITUATION AND FREQUENT
HAZARDS
Brief presentation of the country’s typical risk
conditions, with a description of natural and
man-made hazards, including references to the
most important disasters and emergencies in the
country´s recent history.
hh TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
It consists of a description of the existing services,
infrastructure and facilities for the development
or coverage of ICTs in the country, from basic
services up to the level, scope, quality, use and
accessibility with selected statistics on landline
telephones, cellular phones, internet users and
access to personal computers, among others.
hh REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORKS
A description of the regulations and/or policies
promoting and regulating the use of ICTs in the
country, including plans, programs and actions
facilitating the service, scope and access to
technology. In particular, the development
of policies for the telecommunications and
broadcasting sectors is reviewed as well as the
complete development of regulations regarding
the Information Society in general. Even though
emphasis is placed on the rules and regulations
pertaining to ICTs, a brief section on regulatory
and institutional frameworks on risk management
in each country as well as on relevant risk
reduction regulations to key sectors, such as water,
environment, health and education, is included.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
16
PRELIMINARY INVENTORY:
BELIZE1
Capital city: Belmopan
Population: 307,899
Area: 22,966 km2
Population density: 13.4 h/km2
Urban population: 52%
Demographic growth rate: 2.154%
Currency: Belize dollar
Language: English, Spanish and Indigenous
languages
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Republic of Belize is located in the Central
American Isthmus, bordered by Mexico to the
northwest, Guatemala to the west and the
Caribbean Sea to the east. Along most of its
coastline, there are barrier reefs, forming islands
called cays. Belize is home to the longest barrier
reef of the Western Hemisphere and the second
longest in the world. It is the only country in Central
America without a coast to the Pacific Ocean.
Belmopan is the capital city, although Belize City is
the biggest city and the one with more commercial
activity. Its total area is 22,966 km2 with a total
population of 307,9882 . This is the only Englishspeaking country in Central America, although
Spanish is becoming more common. Because
of its culture, politics and economy, it has many
similarities with the countries of the Caribbean
islands.
Table 1: Administrative Division
Districts
Capital
Estimated
population
Belize
Belize City
74,065
Cayo
San Ignacio
53,715
Corozal
Corozal Town
33,335
Orange
Walk
Orange Walk
Town
39,760
Stan Creek
Dangriga
26,665
Toledo
Punta Gorda
28
The territory is divided in six districts (see Table 1)
1
For more information on Belize´s disaster risk profile, the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction website can be accessed at: http://
www.eird.org/perfiles-paises/perfiles/index.php/Belice
2
The World Fact book. USA-Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, ( https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bh.html)
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
17
The climate in Belize is tropical, very hot and
humid. The dry season lasts from February to May
and the rainy season from May through November.
During the latter, the country becomes prone to
devastating hurricanes, in addition to floods in the
southern coastal area.
RISK SITUATION AND FREQUENT
HAZARDS
Belize´s landscape consists of flat and swampy
coastal plains in the northern area, densely
forested in some places. The Maya Mountains,
a low mountain range, is located in the southern
area reaching its highest peak, Peak Victoria, at an
altitude of 1,160 meters [approximately 3,680 feet].
Although there are no volcanoes in the country,
there are steep hills and fairly high mountain
peaks, which carry the water to the region.
Natural hazards
The proximity of the country to the junction of three
tectonic plates makes it prone to moderate seismic
risk. The earthquakes occurring in the neighboring
countries of Honduras, Guatemala and Southern
Mexico are also felt in Belize. In May 2009 the
earthquake in Honduras caused severe damage
in Belize. The probability of volcanic eruptions is
zero, since the Pacific Ring of Fire is located in the
Pacific coast without any border with Belize.
Disasters occurring in Belize due to natural causes
are: hurricanes, tidal waves, floods, landslides and
fires. Hurricanes have had the most devastating
effects in Belize, in addition to strong winds, tides
and storm surges which cause severe damage to
the population.
Coastal areas are particularly exposed, due to
frequent flash floods caused by the overflowing
of rivers. Storms and floods have been the worst
disasters related to natural hazards in Belize in the
past ten years (for example, hurricane Keith in the
year 2000 caused three deaths and great damage).
Hurricanes Iris and Chantal in 2001 caused 22
deaths because a boat capsized. On October 19,
2008, an extensive flood left one person dead and
caused damages to 38,000 people. Later on, a
tropical cyclone caused damages to 112,570 people
and there were 45 deaths with losses of US$542,507.
(Sources: EM-DAT: Emergency Events Database
/ Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of
Disasters (CRED) http://www.emdat.be/Database/
CountryProfile/countryprofile.php?disgroup=natur
al&country=blz&period=2000$2009)
Hurricane Mitch in 1998 did not affect Belize
directly, but it did cause severe rainfall and floods
in the coastal areas. The Center for Emergency
Operations was established in Belize City to
evacuate more than 75,000 people from the city
and the coastal islands to temporary shelters in
Belmopan.
During the decade of 1990, the average damage
caused by disasters related to natural phenomena
reached almost 10% of the country´s GDP. In the
agricultural sector, the disasters caused by natural
hazards contributed to a decline in production
and exports and to a short-term increase of food
imports. The effects of tropical storm Roxanne
(1995), hurricane Keith (2000), tropical storm
Chantal and hurricane Iris (2001) caused losses of
over US$200 million of damages in the agricultural
sector alone. For more information, please consult
the following information page: BelizeEmergency.
net: http://www.belizeemergency.net/events.html.
Extreme climate-related events usually occurring in
the country include floods, hurricanes, tidal waves
and fires. Table 2 presents a brief description of
some of the most significant emergencies and
disasters that affected the country.
Man-made hazard
Some technological disasters arising from hazards
related to population growth, to the exploitation
of natural resources and to industrial and urban
development, have been detected in Belize.
Some of the main hazards include: deforestation,
river and lake pollution by domestic and industrial
waste water, use of pesticides in agriculture, and
solid waste disposal. One of the most contaminated
rivers is the Belize River, born from the union of
the Mopán and the Macal rivers near San Ignacio.
This river is an important source of drinking water
and of other domestic uses for the population of
Belize. However, the water quality deteriorates
rapidly, due to the sedimentation of solid materials
and the presence of pesticides and other toxic
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
18
Table 2: Emergencies and disasters related to natural hazards
Hurricane Mitch (1998): Hurricane Mitch posed a serious threat to Belize during the last week of
October 1998. Although the hurricane did not lash the country, it caused the largest evacuation ever.
http://www.reliefweb.int/library/documents/paho_hurr_9belize.pdf
Floods and Hurricane Keith (2000): The heavy rainfall recorded in Belize because of Hurricane
Keith caused serious floods and tides 1 to 2 feet high in the coastal areas. At least 72,000 people
were affected by the disaster. http://smn.cna.gob.mx/ciclones/tempo2000/atlantico/keith/keith.html
Floods and Hurricane Keith (2000): The heavy rainfall registered in Belize due to Hurricane Keith
caused serious floods and tides of 1-2 feet in the coastal areas. At least 72,000 thousand people
were affected by the disaster. http://smn.cna.gob.mx/ciclones/tempo2000/atlantico/keith/keith.html
The earthquake in Honduras reached Belize (May 2009): Honduras was shaken by an
earthquake of 7.1 on the Richter scale, which affected Belize more than Guatemala, Nicaragua, El
Salvador and Yucatán in México. http://www.redhum.org/emergencias-305-Sismo-en-Honduras--mayo-2009.html
substances. The largest source of degradation of
the Belize river basin is the big deforestation along
the upper course of the Mopán river, as well as
certain non-sustainable agricultural practices.
With regards to health hazards, there is a high risk
of infectious diseases in Belize. Cholera and other
infectious intestinal diseases also pose a threat
to Belize. Cholera appeared in Belize in January
1992. During the first year of the epidemic, there
were four deaths, followed by two more in 1993
and two in 1996. The diseases caused by vectors
such as malaria and dengue are still an important
public health issue. Table 3 shows some of the
emergencies and disasters connected to man-
made hazards which affected Belize´s recent
history.
TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
During the past 10 to 15 years, the country has
made progress in the use of technology, providing
greater efficiency in the generation of information,
through the use of models and systems of analysis,
particularly in the area of Geographic Information
System (GIS). The first contact that Belize had
with GIS was through the sugarcane industry. The
sugarcane industry in Belize used GIS and remote
sensors since the mid-1980s in order to monitor the
potential of farming and crops. Another milestone
in this development took place in 1992, with the
Table 3: Emergencies and important man-made disasters in Belize
There were three unexpected emergencies:
hh Political chaos in Belize (2005)
On January 20, businessmen and trade unions called for a two day strike. Water services were
interrupted because the employees did not report to work. On January 21, it was reported that
there were scattered demonstrations in Belmopan and building fires, as well as blockades in
highway roads carried out by demonstrators.
hh Cholera epidemic (1992-1996)
hh Dengue and malaria epidemic (2009)
hh Fires in the free zone of Belize caused by short circuits (2008-2009)
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
19
establishment of the Land Information Center, LIC,
by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Somehow,
LIC represents a unique window of georeferenced
information for Belize, with a Territorial System
Information that contains key information for the
country´s land planning.
With regard to landline telephones, Belize recorded
that 11.2% of its population had landlines in 2007,
showing a decrease in comparison to the year
2000, when 14% of the population had access to
this technology. On the other hand, 32. 35% of the
population owns cellular phones and the cellular
phone use has been increasing persistently
during the past seven years, contrary to landline
telephones. A little over 10% of the population
of Belize uses internet and more than 15% has
access to a personal computer (see Table 4).
Close to 70.2% of the population has television
devices in Belize. There are two main channels
and more than 20 repeater antennas. It is worth
mentioning that the main television station and
provider of local and regional programming won
international reputation for a high-quality production
with very limited resources. A substantial portion of
Table 4:
1995
2000
2007
Cellular subscribers
0.73%
6.70%
38.90%
Internet users
0.05%
6.00%
10.50%
Personal computers
2.85%
12.00%
14.80%
Landline telephones
13.75%
14.30%
11.20%
Indicator
the population has radios in their residences and
there are three main broadcasting stations with
coverage throughout the country.
REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORKS
National information policy: legislation and
regulation3
During the past 10 years we have witnessed
a breakthrough in the use of ICTs, making
development possible in the various fields of
work of society. With the development of these
new technologies, new and interesting channels
open to obtain services and increase the quality
and timeliness of information. However, the lack
of government resources seriously hampers the
implementation of new technologies in many areas
of public work.
Since 2005, the government of Belize has
developed initiatives for the modernization of
the State, such as the promotion of social and
economic growth, the environment and sustainable
development. Belize is actively involved with the
group of Caribbean nations, CARICOM, and works
closely to its Central American neighbors as a
member of the Central American Integration System
(SICA, by its Spanish acronym). Government
initiatives can be found in the following web page:
http://www.governmentofbelize.gov.bz/index.php
Following are some of the initiatives related to
ICTs:
hh Digital Government and National
Information Systems
In this project, the hemispheric connectivity
framework, AMIGA, will be used for the process of
control of immigration at ports of entry and remote
borders in Belize and the Dominican Republic. http://
www.protic.org/proyectos.shtml?x=20172908
3
A national information policy is the coordination of public measures for the design of a strategy geared towards development and use or
resources, services and information systems.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
20
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
hh Belize National ICT Strategy
This project includes the ICT Policy Statement
within the National Development Plan (February
2007), methodologies for ICT development,
e-Government methodology and presentation of
the ICT implementation and sustainability. http://
www.protic.org/proyectos.shtml?x=20191749
hh Initiatives and development for youth
The project is about a program to train business
leaders regarding the importance of civil
participation and good government. Through
advertising campaigns, profiles, presentations in
the media, using printed matter and the Internet,
YABT promotes entrepreneur capacities and
contributes to young people being publicly
recognized. YABT puts special emphasis on
technological applications, e-commerce and the
Internet to accelerate the development of young
entrepreneurs. Its Internet site is the framework
for a resource centre and Internetwork for
businessmen; it promotes the exchange of ideas
between young people that they learn from the
experts and mentors and collaborate on business
projects. The program seeks to use the network
as a model to disseminate business information
for other young people. http://www.protic.org/
proyectos.shtml?x=20170243
hh Telepsychiatry in Belize
The Telepsychiatry Project in Belize is an alliance
with the Canadian Homewood Health Center,
which allows Canadian psychiatrists to supervise,
support and train nurses in Belize to look after
patients with mental problems in 6 locations in the
country. The program offers supportive telephone
lines, computers and e-mail.
All these projects can be read in the web page of the
Inventario Regional de Proyectos de Tecnología
de Información y Comunicación para América
Latina y el Caribe (PROTIC), [Regional Project
Inventory of Information and Communication
Technology
Projects].
http://www.protic.org/
proyectos.shtml?x=20172908
As mentioned in the previous section, Belize´s first
contact with the Geographic Information System
(GIS) was through the sugarcane industry. The
second important benchmark was the creation of
the Land Information Center, under the Ministry
of Natural Resources. The introduction of GIS in
Belize facilitates the development of integrated
sources through the strengthening of planning,
management and environmental monitoring.
However, there is no understanding of the fact
that together with technical implementation, it
is important to build an infrastructure that would
ensure the maximization of the technological
integration. If government efforts to provide a
legal and political framework to environmental and
natural resources management are successful,
the application of technologies will be a success.
However, everything is based mainly on the
implementation of policies that could ensure the
necessary human and financial resources.
More references to Belize´s legislation can be
found in the following webpage: http://www.
belizelaw.org/lawadmin/index2.html
Broadcasting and Telecommunications
legislation and regulations
A required quotation is “Belize Constitution
Act: Chapter 4”, where freedom of conscience
and freedom of expression for the citizen of the
Republic4 are recognized. A few more specific laws
are listed below:
hh Freedom of Information Act
Chapter 13, approved in 2000 and updated in 2003,
(http://www.governmentofbelize.gov.bz/download/
chap13.pdf). Broadcasting and Television Act:
Chapter 227, updated: October 31, 2003, (http://
www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/index2.html).
hh Telecommunications Act: Chapter 229
Updated to October 31, 2003, (http://www.
belizelaw.org/lawadmin/index2.html).
There is a monopoly in the hands of a private firm,
Belize Telecommunications Ltd., which is viewed
as having responded rather well to the country´s
telecommunications needs. The company is
For more information, please visit: http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/index2.html; and the 2003 revised version: http://www.belizelaw.org/
lawadmin/index2.html
5
Belize has joined the Plan Puebla-Panamá and one of Belize´s projects is the extension of the electrical interconnection.
4
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
21
profitable and has obtained good density, service
extension, and quality and profitability indicators5.
Table 5 contains a list of web pages and digital
links with references to more detailed/specific ICT
regulations existing in Belize.
Disaster Risk Management: legislation
and regulations
With regards to disaster preparedness and
response, Belize has the following legislation:
“Disaster Preparedness and Response Act”
Chapter 145, approved as a result of the damages
caused by several hurricanes6.
This law created the National Emergency
Management Organization (NEMO), ( http://www.
nemo.org.bz/) with the purpose of implementing
the Belize Plan for Emergencies.
There is a National Coordinator, accountable to
the Ministry of Government for the coordination of
the general policy on disaster preparedness and
response.
NEMO comprises the Cabinet Members with the
Prime Minister as the Chairperson and the Cabinet
Secretary as head of the NEMO Secretariat. Its
objective is to inform the Prime Minister of any
possible emergency threat and recommends the
activation of NEMO. http://www.belizelaw.org/
lawadmin/index2.html.
Belize has a National Meteorological Service
(MNS) found in webpage: http://www.hydromet.
gov.bz/. The meteorological office controls the
formation and evolution of hurricanes through the
“National Hurricane Center” http://www.nhc.noaa.
gov/
No National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
has been identified. The focal point for the
implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action
in Belize is the National Emergency Management
Organization (NEMO).
Relevant regulations by sector
There are some regulations and guidelines which
relate to some areas of the public-private arena that
can also be considered as ICT strategies applied
to disaster mitigation, either by those involved or
by the space created for the possible use of those
technologies in risk management by sector.
Health Sector: For the past few months, Belize has
been using a cutting edge digital health information
system that links the Ministry of Health to public
and private hospitals, laboratories and clinics.
In the education and risk management sector
some strategies were also developed in the
country, which are part of the initiatives at the
Central American regional level. Such is the
case of the Regional Strategic Framework for
Education on Disaster Risk Reduction, created
with the participation of the Coordination Center
for the Prevention of Natural Disasters in
Central America Center (CEPREDENAC) and
the Central American Education and Cultural
Coordination (CECC), as organizations assigned
to SICA (Central American Integration System),
together with the ministries of education and the
national systems for risk reduction and disaster
management of the countries in the region, as
well as other regional and national government
and technical cooperation institutions. Its main
Table 5: Links related to Digital Information and Telecommunications regulations
hh Belize: Country Profile: http://www.emdat.be/Database/terms.html
hh Electronic signatures: http://www.belipo.bz/e_library/legislation/elec_trans_act(cap%20290)2.pdf
hh Digital Government: http://www.governmentofbelize.gov.bz/index.php.
hh Latin Law: Biblioteca Legal Latinoamericana. Belice. http://www.latinlaws.com/belize.html
hh Hemisphere Wide Inter-University Scientific and Technological Information Network
(RedHUCyT): http://www.redhucyt.oas.org/WEBESP/web1s.htm#Academias%20Nacionales
6
This law can be found in the following web site: http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/index2.html)
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
22
purpose is to contribute to the strengthening of the
countries’ private and public policies, programs
and projects, geared to the development of a
culture of prevention, risk reduction and resiliency
in the education sector, as an essential component
of a sustainable and safe development process in
the Central American region. (http://www.eird.org/
esp/novedades/Resumen-Ejecutivo.doc).
Belize belongs to the Academic Network of the
University College of Belize (http://www.ucb.edu.
bz/), which is part of the Hemisphere Wide InterUniversity Scientific and Technological Network
(RedHUCyT).7
Regarding the water and sanitation sector, Belize
is one of the members of the Aguasan regional
programme: sanitation and hygiene for Central
America: a challenge with a regional dimension.
The objective of the regional component of
the Aguasan programme is to comply with the
Millennium Goal 7 – target 10 to improve health
and reduce poverty in Central America, with more
efficient policies and programs from the main
regional and national actors in the drinking water
and sanitation sector and their work through the
connection to the web. The main national norms in
the education field are found in the Education Act:
Chapter 36 updated: September 30 2008.8
Other legal/regulatory frameworks for sectors
such as the Environment, Water and Sanitation,
which are critical sectors both for development
in general and risk reduction management can
create a space to promote the application of ICTs
within that context.
Regardless of their territorial differences, the
Governments of Guatemala and Belize have
initiated a sanitation plan of the Mopán river
basin that will benefit the communities of both
sides of the border. According to the analysis,
water contamination is estimated to be 60%,
since waste water flows into the river from over
100 villages, and communities lack drainage
systems and wastewater treatment plants. But
the tributary is not affected by waste alone;
the internal armed conflict left its aftermath as
well. Local authorities from two municipalities in
Guatemala and other two municipalities in Belize
signed a bilateral agreement to reduce the river’s
pollution in a five-year time frame.
The regulations to prevent and fight environmental
pollution are compiled in the articles of the Public
Health Act, the Pesticides Control Act and the
Solid Waste Management Authority Act. The
Environment Protection Act (1992), created a
the Department of the Environment, responsible
for the application of the provisions stated in
the Law. During the past five years, legislative
instruments have been drafted to control land
and water pollutants. Norms are still needed to
regulate air quality in the industrial sectors, traffic
and the environmental risk posed by tobacco
smoke. The Housing Department sets the
standards on the buildings ventilation system.
Legislation on hygiene and food safety is under
preparation.
Food regulations are based on regional
references for most local or foreign food. The
Belize Workers´ Health Plan was replaced by
the Occupational Health and Safety Act, where
various work environments are taken into
consideration.
International
Belize
Agreements
signed
by
Biodiversity, climate change, Kyoto Protocol
on Climate Change, decertification, hazardous
waste, law of the sea, protection of the ozone
layer, contamination by ships, swamps, whaling.
All were signed but none of them was ratified.
Table 6 includes links to Belize’s most relevant
laws for those sectors.
7
8
Visit the following link: http://www.redhucyt.oas.org/WEBESP/web1s.htm#Academias%20Nacionales
See: http://www.moe.gov.bz/site/media/May%202%2009%20Education%20Act%20with%20Revisions%20Table.pdf
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
23
Table 6: Disaster mitigation legislation in critical sectors
Environment: legislation and regulations
Environmental Protection Act http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/index2.html
Environmental Tax Act http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/PDF%20files/cap064-01.pdf
Protected Areas Conservation Trust http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/index2.html
Revised: http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/index2.html
More detailed/specific regulations on the environment can be found in the following web pages:
hh http://www.latinlaws.com/belize.html
hh http://www.ccad.ws/legislacion/Belize.html
Water and Sanitation: Legislation and Regulations
Water Act: http://www.ccad.ws/documentos/legislacion/BZ/L9495.pdf
Action Plan for the integrated water management in the Central American Isthmus http://www.
ccad.ws/documentos/pacadirh/PACADIRH.pdf
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
24
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
hh International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
(UNISDR) The Americas. Country profiles:
Belize.
http://www.eird.org/perfiles-paises/
perfiles/index.php/Belize
hh Epidemiological Situation of Acute Pesticide
Poisoning in the Central American Isthmus,
1992-2000 http://www.paho.org/spanish/sha/
be_v23n3-plaguicidas.htm
hh Hurricane Mitch in Belize/PAHO-MS. http://
www.paho.org/Spanish/Ped/gm-belice.pdf
hh Belize: Country Profile. http://www.emdat.be/
Database/terms.html
hh Education Act: Chapter 36 updated: December
30, 2000. http://www.moe.gov.bz/site/media/
May%202%2009%20Education%20Act%20
with%20Revisions%20Table.pdf
hh Education in Belize. http://www.belizelaw.org/
lawadmin/index2.html
hh Environment Protection Act. http://www.
belizelaw.org/lawadmin/index2.html
hh Environmental Tax Act. http://www.belizelaw.
org/lawadmin/PDF%20files/cap064-01.pdf
hh Protected Areas Conservation Trust Act. http://
www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/index2.html;
Revised: http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/
index2.html
hh Electronic signatures. http://www.belipo.bz/e_
library/legislation/elec_trans_act(cap%20
290)2.pdf
hh Laws on waters and fisheries. http://www.ccad.
ws/documentos/legislacion/BZ/L9495.pdf
hh Digital Government. http://www.
governmentofbelize.gov.bz/index.php.
hh Legislation and policies. http://www.ccad.ws/
legislacion/Belize.html
hh Latin Law: Biblioteca Legal Latinoamericana
Belize. http://www.latinlaws.com/belize.html
hh Latin Laws. Biblioteca Legal Latinoamericana.
http://www.latinlaws.com/belize.html
hh Hemisphere Wide Inter-University Scientific
and Technological Network (RedHUCyT).
http://www.redhucyt.oas.org/WEBESP/web1s.
htm#Academias%20Nacionales
hh Action Plan for Integrated Water Resources
Management of the Central American Isthmus
Action
http://www.ccad.ws/documentos/
pacadirh/PACADIRH.pdf
hh National Emergency Management
Organization (NEMO). http://www.nemo.org.
bz/
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
25
COSTA RICA9
Capital: San José
Population: 4.5 million
Area: 51,100 km2
Population density: 82 h/km2
Urban population: 61.7%
Demographic growth rate: 2.5
Currency: El Colón
Language: Spanish
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Republic of Costa Rica is located in the
Central American Isthmus, bordering Nicaragua to
the north and Panama to the south, the Caribbean
Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
The total land area of Costa Rica is 51,000 km2,
with a population of 4.4 million (2007)10. The
country is organized in 7 provinces, 81 cantons
and 463 districts (see Table 7).
Because of its geographical location, Costa Rica
has a tropical climate influenced by the main
mountain ranges. Due to the influence of the
Caribbean Sea, the Pacific Ocean and the small
continental area, the climate does not fluctuate
during the year as much as it would over large
continental landmasses. The main fluctuation
present during the year is the wind and it is caused
mostly by the interaction between the various
winds systems affecting the country and by its
topography, with mountain ranges across the
country from the northwest to the southeast with
peaks of 3,820 meters of altitude over the mean sea
level (Cerro Chirripó). This fluctuation is reflected
in the precipitation distribution. In general, there is
a dry season, from December through April, and
a rainy season, from May to November. Rainfall
determines Costa Rica´s division into five regions:
the North Pacific, the Central Pacific, the South
Pacific, the Central Valley and the Atlantic sector.
Table 7: Administrative division
Province
Capital
Area (km2)
Estimated population
Alajuela
Alajuela
9,753
716,286
Cartago
Cartago
3,125
432,395
Guanacaste
Liberia
10,141
264,238
Heredia
Heredia
2,657
354,732
Limón
Limón
9,188
339,295
Puntarenas
Puntarenas
11,277
357,483
San José
San José
4,959
1,345,750
Source: National Institute of Statistics and Census of Costa Rica (http://www.inec.go.cr)
The UNISDR Americas has developed country profiles with specific information on all aspects of risk reduction, including national counterparts,
regulatory frameworks, projects and initiatives on risk management in the country at hand. For a more detailed information on the Costa Rica
Country Profile visit the following web site: http://www.eird.org/wikiesp/index.php/Costa_Rica
9
10
The Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
26
RISK SITUATION AND FREQUENT
HAZARDS
Because of its geographical location, Costa Rica
is prone to multiple natural hazards which may
unleash emergencies resulting in disasters when
they overlap in time and space with vulnerable
segments of the population. Historical records
of disasters affecting the country reveal its high
degree of vulnerability to natural hazards, as well
as the country´s various levels of social, economic
and environmental vulnerability.
are: El Valle Central and the Chorotega region,
where the most active sources are found, close
to the populated areas. The regions where big
earthquakes occurred are: Golfito, Pérez Zeledón,
Los Santos, Cóbano, Limón and Piedras Negras
(Alajuela).
Heavy rainfall and droughts are the extreme
climatological events in the country. Extreme rainfall
is caused by hurricanes, tropical depressions and
cold fronts and as a consequence, large floods
and landslides occur in December and January.
Below, there is a summary of the main natural and
man-made hazards linked to emergencies and
disasters in the Costa Rican territory.
Some of the major emergencies and disasters
striking Costa Rica in recent history are briefly
described in Table 8.
Natural hazards
Man-made hazards
Costa Rica is located in the central area of the
Central American Isthmus, in the so-called “Pacific
Ring of Fire”, where the largest volcanoes in
the world are found. The country lies on the
convergence area of the Pacific Cocos and the
Caribbean tectonic plates, in the southeastern
part of the country; both plates interact with the
Nazca plate, one of the plates causing most of
the earthquakes and volcanic eruptions affecting
the country and South America. Volcanic activity
is the result of the Coco plate sinking under the
Caribbean plate. There are more than 200 volcanic
sources, distributed all over the country and six of
them have posed threats throughout history.
Because of the nature of the Costa Rican industry
and in view of the type of processes used, it has
been established that the chemical industry entails
the greater risk. Furthermore, the transportation
of hazardous materials has been identified as
another cause for this type of accident. According
to the International Labor Organization (ILO)
these accidents can pose risks to the population
in general and can have physical and toxic
consequences due to spillages, fires, leaks and
explosions.
The regions more prone to volcanic activity
Transportation is the sector most vulnerable
to disasters, since, in addition to the adverse
circumstances caused by a disaster related to
natural phenomena, the impact of disasters is
Table 8: Emergencies and disasters caused by natural hazards
Hurricane Mitch (1998): Hurricane Mitch caused both direct and indirect damages to approximately 16,500 people,
including those individuals who had to seek shelter or were evacuated to neighbors or relatives´ homes, or to safe
areas, as a result of precautionary measures. http://www.imn.ac.cr/educacion/huracanes/huracan06.html
Floods (2002): Heavy rainfall caused severe floods affecting the Caribbean drainage basin and the northern
area of Costa Rica. Floods caused basins to overflow, landslides and severe damage to infrastructure. The
Government declared a state of emergency. http://www.paho.org/Spanish/DD/PED/COR-floods02.htm
Arenal volcano (1968): On the morning of Monday, July 29, 1968, the once known as Cerro Arenal revealed its
full volcanic force and with a humongous explosion on its west slope, brought hundreds of human lives to an end,
while floods crops, villages and property with ashes, gases and lava. Huge hot rocks, burning gases and tons of
ashes finished off what used to be a hill. http://www.guiascostarica.com/rios/arenal.htm
Limón earthquake (1991): On April 22 1991 at 3:57:00 local time a strong earthquake shook the Limón area in
Costa Rica with a magnitude of 7.7 M and a depth of 10km. In total, there were 48 deaths, 651 people wounded
and 4,452 houses collapsed. http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terremoto_de_Lim%C3%B3n
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
27
often intensified as a consequence of deficiencies
in the standards of design and construction of the
infrastructure (civil and road), technical deficiencies
related to the site of such infrastructure (transport
system, human settlements, etc.) or due to a lack of
protective structures (walls, dikes and sluiceways).
TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
Costa Rica is one of the most developed countries
in the field of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) in Central America and the
Caribbean, and it is the main software producer
in the region. As opposed to the other Latin
American countries, Costa Rica decided to keep
public institutions, mainly for the service industry
(power, telecommunications, water and the
insurance markets). This is also the case for the
ICT industry where the Instituto Costarricense
de Electricidad emerges as the main provider
of supports for these technologies. It is worth
mentioning that the prevalent notion of ICTs in
the country is based on the definition made by the
national institute of statistics and census, where
the following types of technologies are considered
ICTs: landline telephones, cellular phones, cable
internet access, TV, computers, internet access by
telephone, Cable TV and Fax.
Regarding Internet Access, an estimated 33.8 %
of the population has the service; close to 23% of
households have a computer and approximately
300,000 families are familiar with and have used
internet (see Table10). One of the strengthening
plans for this area was to increase the internet
service capacity (or bandwidth) and reduce its
costs, and to provide top level infrastructure to
the different service users in the country, while
Table 9: Recent emergencies and man-made
disasters
Several domestic emergencies occurred, namely:
poliduct fire (Santo Domingo de Heredia 1994); overturn
of a liquefied petroleum gas container (at km.103 of the
Inter-American Pérez Zeledón, 1995); laboratory fire
(Zapote 1993); intoxication of 30 children in a school
in Guadalupe de Cartago by contact with incomplete
combustion of Terbufos organosphosphorate pesticides
products (Cartago 1995); overturn of container in the
Florencio del Castillo highway (Curridabat 1995); fire
in pesticide warehouse (Alajuela 1999); hazardous
waste disposal at the Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo
(Heredia 2000); chlorine gas leak from an industrial
facility in Concepción de Tres Ríos (Cartago 2002); fire
at the State Hospital Rafael Calderón Guardia (2005).
attempting to increase internet access. In this
regard, the country is taking steps regarding
technology and the drafting of legislation on the
subject. On the other hand, the Advanced Internet
Network was connected to other networks such
as CRNE GOBNET (connects to Congress and to
the Government), EDUNET (connects to schools)
and to the Internet Network 2 (connecting to
universities and research centers in the country).
The Advanced Internet Network uses optical fiber
rings, SDH (Synchronous Data Hierarchical)
circuits and the existing copper network, which
allows the transfer of voice, images and data at
high-speed as well as access to digital broadband
24 hours a day.
In the area of landline telephone services, 32%
of the citizens of Costa Rica have a fixed-line
telephone. The country has 1,045,000 active
fixed-lines but there are 400,000 available in the
telephone company station which will be used to
meet the users’ demands. The landline telephone
Table 10:
Indicator
1995
2000
2007
Cellular subscribers
0.56%
5.40%
33.80%
Internet users
0.43%
5.80%
33.60%
Personal computers
-
15.30%
23.10% Telephone landlines
14.18%
22.90%
32.20%
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
28
company is ICE, which has the monopoly of the
service. The country´s connectivity has improved,
through the existing telephone infrastructure and
by extending connectivity to the cable television
companies.
Moreover, fiber optic ring connections have been
installed throughout the country, and in 2001, the
connection to the world was launched through
optical fiber submarine cable Maya 1 and Arcos
1, connecting the country to the international
telecommunications networks. With regard to
mobile telephone systems, 34% of users own a
cellular telephone. Nowadays, there are 300,000
new GSM lines in the country with the purpose
of increasing the number of users throughout the
country, with 600 GSM lines mainly used in public,
economic and social infrastructure.
Network
1800, compatible with most telephones, is used to
implement mobile services called 3-G.
In the area of broadcasting, the country has 91
authorized radio stations in the country, such as
Radio Columbia Radio Monumental, FIRE Radio
Internacional Feminista, Radio Faro del Caribe,
Radio Dos and Radio FIDES, with microwave
receptors adapted to receive satellite signals in the
3700 to 4200 MHz frequency. Channels 88 to 108
MHz assigned to FM sound broadcasting services
can be identified by its central carrier frequency
and channel number. Costa Rica is implementing
projects in order to create community broadcasting
services which would be used to channel collective
interests. It is estimated that approximately 94% of
the population has units with this kind of technology
in their homes.
REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORKS
For the past several years, the country has
been implementing an information technology
development policy in order to provide those
benefits to a population of over 4 million people. A
number of policies are being implemented in order to
universalize access and promote its development.
These policies are part of the so-called “Digital
Agenda”, consisting of five main areas: 1)
infrastructure improvement, 2) universalization
of internet access, 3) advancement of a new
economy, 4) advancement of digital government,
and 5) revision of the legal framework.
Moreover, significant efforts are being made in the
telecommunications infrastructure area. One of
the main objectives is to increase the capacity (or
bandwidth) of the internet service and reduce its
costs, in order to provide top quality infrastructure
to service users, while extending internet access.
In this regard, the country is taking steps regarding
technology and legislation.
Because of the country´s political stability, it has
become the host country of several international
institutions dealing with cooperation, development,
research and/or training in agricultural related
sciences. National policies on science and
technology have various reference points such
as public universities, the Ministry of Science and
Technology and institutions such as the Academy
of Sciences, CONICIT, CENAT, among others.
According to the “Global Competitiveness Report
2009-2010” of the World Economic Forum, in the
Latin America region, Chile is followed by Panama
and Costa Rica, as the most competitive countries
in Central America. The report highlights Costa
Rica in particular, having significantly improved its
competitiveness, after moving up nine positions in
the ranking since 2006. With regard to legislation
on the use of information and communication
technologies (electronic trade, digital signature
and consumer protection), the report ranks Costa
Rica as 3.83, with 1= non-existent and 7=very
developed.
National Information
regulations11
Policy:
legislation
and
Costa Rica has been developing legislative and
regulatory frameworks which work as the basis for
the development and application of ICTs. One of
the main ones goes back to May 1988, when the
first National Committee for Policy on Informatics
(COPOIN) was created by Executive Decree No.
18166-MICIT-PLAN, as an agency of the Ministry
of Science and Technology. Two years later, on
June 26, 1990, the Law of Promotion of Scientific
and Technological Development: Law No.7169
and Decree No. 32817-MICIT were approved,
A national information policy is the coordination of actions at the national level for the creation of a strategy to address development, use of
resources, services and information systems.
11
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
29
creating the National Science and Technology
System (SINCITi). More recently, on March 17,
2004, the National Committee for Information and
Communication Technologies (CONATIC) was
created by Executive Decree No. 3168112.
Costa Rica has also developed numerous relevant
plans and programs in order to encourage and
frame all the topics concerning ICTs, such as:
hh IT National Program (1990-1994);
hh National Program for Technological
Development (1994-1998);
hh Program Impulso (1998-2002);
hh Digital Government Plan (2002-2006); and
hh Digital Government Action Plan (20082010).
Broadcasting and Telecommunications: Legislation
and Regulations
Broadcasting activity in Costa Rica is regulated
by various norms ranging from constitutional
to regulatory levels, with several international
instruments in between. All these rules constitute
a legal bloc which functions as the regulatory
framework for radio broadcasting.
The Broadcasting Law (Law 1758) was passed
on June 19, 1954 and amended by Law no. 3981
on November 12, 1967. That law has laid the
foundations, after 51 years, of the prevailing basic
framework in the broadcasting activity. However,
radio communications regulations are more recent
and were passed by Executive Decree 31.608-G,
on June 28, 2004 and amended by Executive
Decree 32.168-G of May 18, 2005. The radio
communications regulation is probably the most
comprehensive body of norms on this subject in
Costa Rica.
On the other hand, there is a Telecommunications
Law: Law 8642, of June 30th, 2008 and its
Regulations: no.34.765-MINAET of September 22,
2008. There is also a Law on the Modernization and
strengthening of the Telecommunications sector
public entities: Law No.8660 of July 29, 2008.
This law complements Decree No.449 dated April
12
8, 1949 when the Costa Rican Electrical Institute
(ICE) was created.
An important milestone in the telecommunications
legal framework is the development of the National
Telecommunications Development Plan for 20092014. The methodology used to approach the
subject consists of two phases: Phase I, Definition
of the structure and vision of the Plan (PNDT, by
its Spanish acronym) and Phase II: Feedback on
the Plan. Phase I contains a “To do activities” list:
a), b), c) and d).
Formulation of a case study, where the degree of
development of the information society is analyzed
in three specific areas, namely:
a) Situation of key indicators on access,
coverage and projects based on Information
and Communication Technologies in key
sectors of Government activities such as
health, education, digital government and
agriculture;
b) Articles related to topics such as
emergencies, natural disasters, management
of telecommunications environment; and
c) Comparative studies of trends in the area
of telecommunications in governments,
sector leading businesses, and main
academic research centers worldwide.
Table 11 provides a list of web pages and digital
links with more detailed/specific information on the
existing ICT norms in Costa Rica.
Disaster Risk Management: Legislation and
Regulations
In addition to the specific regulatory framework related
to ICTs, Costa Rica has made significant progress
regarding regulations and institutional frameworks
related to disaster risk management. The National
Emergency Commission (CNE) is the institution
responsible for coordinating risk prevention, mitigation
and emergency response. The enactment of the
National Law on Emergencies and Risk Prevention,
of August 14, 1969, establishing the institution, came
about in a period of crisis due to the eruption of Volcán
Irazú between 1963 and 1965, and to the eruptions
of Volcán Arenal in 1968.
More information is provided by the following link: http://www.una.ac.cr/ottve/Reglamentos/LeyPromocionDesarrolloCientifico.htm
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
30
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
Table 11: Links related to Regulations on digital information and telecommunications
hh Costa Rica’s digital strategy: an agenda of digitization to promote social equity, economic development and governance
in the country: http://www.clubdeinvestigacion.com/costaricadigital/costaricadigital.pdf
hh Camara Costarricense de Tecnologias de Informacion y Comunicacion [Costa Rican ICT Chamber]: http://www.camtic.
org/ES/
hh Public Services Regulatory Authority: Telecommunications and Postal Services: regulations (ARESEP): http://www.
aresep.go.cr/cgi-bin/index.fwx?area=08&cmd=servicios&id=0438&sub=6640
hh Plan of Action – Digital Government : http://www.gobiernofacil.go.cr/gobiernodigital/documentos/PlanAccion-2008-2010.
pdf
hh Legislation and Right to communication Program: Latin America and the Caribbean (AMARC): Costa Rica. http://
legislaciones.item.org.uy/index?q=/paises/34/15
hh Law for the Promotion of Scientific Development: http://www.una.ac.cr/ottve/Reglamentos/
LeyPromocionDesarrolloCientifico.htm
hh Legal framework of CINACIT: http://163.178.205.7/marco_legal//sinciti.html
hh Law on Digital Signature and Digital Certificates.;http://www.conicit.go.cr/boletin/boletin4/ley.html
hh Country Report: Costa Rica AMARC Global Advocacy Project (2004-2005) Page 1 of 41: La Radio Comunitaria en Costa
Rica [Community radio in Costa Rica]: http://documents.amarc.org/files/2006-01-12/Costa_Rica_Country_Report.pdf
hh MINARE- Ejes Estratégicos/Telecomunicaciones [Strategic axis/telecommunications]: http://www.minae.go.cr/ejes_
estrategicos/telecomunicaciones/PNDT/PNDT_Final.pdf
hh Nation Development Plan: http://www.mideplan.go.cr/content/view/69/371/
hh National Telecommunications Development Plan 2009-2014: http://www.minae.go.cr/ejes_estrategicos/
telecomunicaciones/PNDT/Metodologia_PNDT.pdf
After 37 years, the Law underwent several
amendments, the most recent on October 25,
2005 with Law no. 8488/05. The main objective
of the norm is to safeguard human life and it
establishes how to understand, manage and
prevent disasters. The National Commission´s
Council of Directors, which brings together several
ministries (Ministry of the President, Health, Public
Works and Transportation, Housing and Human
Settlements, Environment and Energy, Economy,
Public Security and the Joint Institutes of Social
Assistance and National Insurance, as well as a
representative from the Costa Rican Red Cross),
has been identified as the National Platform for
Risk and Disaster Reduction and it is the focal point
for the implementation of the Hyogo Framework
for Action in Costa Rica.
The significant development undertaken in the
production of digital mapping, promoted by the
National Emergency Commission, in cooperation
with the areas of academic specialization in the
country´s universities is noteworthy. Also important
is the development of a radio communications
system coordinated by CNE, connecting various
institutions,
emergency
commissions
and
observation and surveillance posts throughout
the country, in order to expedite the exchange of
information for decision-making in situations of
warnings or emergencies13. Also, in connection
with the cooperation between CNE and the
academic institutions, it is worth mentioning that in
compliance with Law 8488: National Emergencies
Law, CNE contributes with part of its budget to
the strengthening of the research in risk reduction
related areas undertaken by universities in Costa
Rica.
For more detailed information, please see the “Red Nacional de Comunicaciones”[National Communications Network] at the CNE´s electronic
portal (http://www.cne.go.cr).
13
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
31
Costa Rica has also been working with SUMA:
PAHO/WHO Humanitarian Supply Management
System in emergency situations, an information
management tool which employs an easy-to-use
computerized system in order to follow up the
items from the moment they are distributed to the
affected population. (http://www.disaster-info.net/
SUMA/spanish/index.htm).
Relevant regulations by sector
It is worth noting the existence of the “Jorge
Manuel Dengo Obregón” National Development
Plan 2006-2010 and its December 2008 updated
version, divided by sectors: Environment, Science
and Technology, Foreign Trade, Government
Coordination, Culture, Education, Finance,
Infrastructure and Transportation, Foreign Policy,
Production, Health, Citizen´s Security, Social,
Financial Supervision, Labor and Tourism.
The new National Development Plan was built
with a strategic purpose and under the sectorial
guidelines established by Decrees 33.151-MP, of
May 18, 2006 and 33.178-MP of June 14, 2006,
in order to improve the coordination of the public
sector institutions and build a new united and
integrated vision of the sectors’ work, in order to
improve its efficiency and ensure a better allocation
of public resources. http://www.mideplan.go.cr/
content/view/69/371/).
In addition to the above, the country has rules and
guidelines related to the various areas of the public
and private sectors which can also be considered
as strategic for applying ICTs to disaster mitigation,
either by the actors involved or by the space
created for the potential use of these technologies
in risk management by sectors.
In this regard, it is worth noting that in the health
sector there are fairly developed regulations,
with specific material from the Ministry of Health
on ICTs applied to primary health care in remote/
isolated/marginal areas of the country (http://
eurosocialsalud.eu/files/docs/00503.pdf or more
general frameworks such as those included in the
chapter on Costa Rica: Compilation of Regulations
on Health and Disasters: Latin America, developed
by the PAHO. http://www.disaster-info.net/PEDSudamerica/leyes/vgpccd.html).
We should also mention the National Education
Plan for Risk Reduction in Costa Rica. Experience
has shown that, it has successfully managed
to mobilize the country with regard to disaster
prevention. It represents a multidisciplinary effort
between national and international organizations
and institutions committed to the subject of risk
management.
(http://cidbimena.desastres.hn/
docum/crid/Educacion/pdf/spa/doc15094/doc15094contenido.pdf).
In the same way, other legal/regulatory frameworks
for sectors such as the Environment and Water and
Sanitation, which, being critical sectors both for
development in general and for the management
of risk reduction, can find an appropriate space to
promote the implementation of ICTs in that context.
Table 12 includes links to the more relevant laws
for these sectors in Costa Rica.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
32
Table 12: Legislation in critical sectors for disaster mitigation
Environment: Legislation and Regulations
Environment Law: No.7554 of October 4, 1995.
http://www.ccad.ws/documentos/legislacion/CR/L-7554.pdf
Forestry coverage study in Costa Rica with LANDSAT TM7 images for the year 2000.
http://documentacion.sirefor.go.cr/archivo/cobertura/INFORME_COBERTURA_97_00.pdf
More information on specific/detailed regulations can be found in the following web pages:
hh http://www.ccad.ws/legislacion/Costa_Rica.html
hh http://www.latinlaws.com/legislacion/modules/mylinks/viewcat.php?cid=98
Water and Sanitation: Legislation and Regulations
Law of Water: No.276 of August 26, 1942.
http://www.oas.org/dsd/environmentlaw/waterlaw/documents/Costa_Rica-Ley_276.pdf
General Law on Potable Water: No.1634, of September 18, 1953.
http://www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salatercera/leyes/leypenal/leygralaguas.htm
Law creating the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewerage: Law No.2726 , of August 27, 1961.
http://www.dse.go.cr/es/02ServiciosInfo/Legislacion/PDF/Ambiente/Aguas/L-2726ICAA.pdf
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
33
BIBLIOGRAPHY
hh PAHO/WHO. Area of preparedness for
situations of emergency and relief in case of
disasters, country profiles: Costa Rica. http://
www.disaster-info.net/PED-Centroamerica/
index.php?option=com_content&task=view&i
d=75&Itemid=207
hh Compilation of regulations on health and
disasters: Latin America: PAHO/WHO http://
www.disaster-info.net/PED-Sudamerica/leyes/
vgpccd.html
hh International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
(UNISDR): the Americas. Country profiles:
Costa
Rica.
http://www.eird.org/perfilespaises/perfiles/index.php/Costa_Rica
hh Situation in the Central American countries.
Summary of national studies: Costa Rica http://
legislaciones.item.org.uy/files/Marco%20
regulatorio%20de%20Radiodifusion%20-%20
Costa%20Rica.pdf
hh The Global Information Technology Report
2008–2009: Mobility in a Networked World
h t t p : / / w w w. w e f o r u m . o r g / p d f / g i t r / 2 0 0 9 /
gitr09fullreport.pdf
http://www.crid.or.cr/cd/CD_CNE/pdf/spa/
doc128/doc128.htm
hh National Emergency Law No.4374 of 1969 and
regulations on national emergencies- Executive
Decree- No.25216-MOPT http://www.crid.or.cr/
cd/CD_CNE/pdf/spa/doc190/doc190.htm
hh Emergency commissions regulations / National
Emergency Commission, San José, 1998 http://
www.crid.or.cr/cd/CD_CNE/pdf/spa/doc1552/
doc1552.htm
hh Costa Rica´s National Emergency Commission:
national emergencies, legal framework. http://
www.cne.go.cr/index.php?option=com_conten
t&task=view&id=23&Itemid=1
hh Towards a society of and knowledge in
Costa Rica. http://www.gobiernofacil.go.cr/
gobiernodigital/informes/cap4.pdf
hh Management informatics, Ministry of Public
Education, Costa Rica. http://www.mep.go.cr/
InformaticaGestion/informacion.aspx
hh National Development Plan 2006-2010 “Jorge
Manuel Dengo Obregón” http://www.mideplan.
go.cr/content/view/69/371/
hh The Global Competitiveness Index 2008-2009:
World Economic Forum. http://72.52.156.225/
Estudio.aspx?Estudio=indice-competitividad
hh Action Plan, Digital Government 2008-2010
http://www.gobiernofacil.go.cr/gobiernodigital/
documentos/PlanAccion-2008-2010.pdf
hh Ciudades digitales...ya casi. Iberomunicipios
.org.
http://iberomunicipios.cpedreno.com.
ar/?p=500
hh Costa Rica’s digital strategy: an agenda
of digitization to promote social equity,
economic development and governance in the
country. http://www.clubdeinvestigacion.com/
costaricadigital/costaricadigital.pdf
hh National Emergency Law No.4374 of 1969
and Regulations on national emergenciesExecutive Decree No.25216-MOPT. San José,
1996. http://cidbimena.desastres.hn/docum/
crid/Riesgo/pdf/spa/doc190/doc190.htm
hh Costa Rica: institutional framework, legislation,
strategies, policies and tools for prevention,
mitigation and disaster. http://www.crid.or.cr/
cd/CD_CNE/pdf/spa/doc1203/doc1203.htm
hh National law on national disasters / National
Emergency Commission, San José, 1993
hh Forestry study of Costa Rica with LANDSAT
TM7 images for the year 2000. http://
d o c u m e n t a c i o n . s i r e f o r. g o . c r / a r c h i v o /
cobertura/INFORME_COBERTURA_97_00.
pdf
hh Implementation of the Education National
Plan for Risk Reduction in Costa Rica
(PLANERRYD). http://cidbimena.desastres.
hn/docum/crid/Educacion/pdf/spa/doc15094/
doc15094-contenido.pdf
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
34
El SALVADOR14
Capital: San Salvador
Population: 6.9 million
Area: 21,040 km2
Population density: 321 h/km2
Urban population: 46%
Rate of demographic growth: 2.1
Currency: Dollar
Language: Spanish
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Republic of El Salvador - the smallest and
most densely populated country in the region - is
located in the Central American Isthmus. It has
an extension of 21,040 km2 with a population of
6.9 million15. It is bordered by Guatemala to the
northeast and by Honduras to the northwest,
Nicaragua to the southeast and by the Pacific
Ocean to the South. The territory is organized
in 14 departments (comprised in three regions)
which, in turn, are divided in 262 municipalities
(see Table 13).
Table 13: Administrative Division
Sensuntepeque
1,104
Estimated
population
138,426
Cuscatlán
Cojutepeque
756
178,502
Chalatenango
Chalatenango
2,017
177,32
Nueva San Salvador
1,653
513,866
Paz, La
Zacatecoluca
1,224
245,915
San Salvador
San Salvador
886
1,512,125
San Vicente
San Vicente
1,184
143,003
Ahuachapán
Ahuachapán
1,24
261,188
Santa Ana
San Ana
2,023
458,587
Sonsonete
Sonsonete
1,226
360,183
San Francisco Gotera
1,447
160,146
San Miguel
2,077
403,411
Unión, La
La Unión
2,074
255,565
Usulután
Usulután
2,13
310,362
Department
Cabañas
Libertad, La
Morazán
San Miguel
Capital
Area (km2)
The UNISDR Americas has developed country profiles with specific information on all aspects of risk reduction, including national counterparts,
regulatory frameworks, and projects and initiatives on risk management in the country at hand. For more detailed information please visit the
country profile of El Salvador at the following link: http://www.eird.org/wikiesp/index.php/El_Salvador
15
The Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009
14
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
35
El Salvador is located in the northern part of the
tropical belt, so that in November and October,
winds blow from the northeast and, occasionally,
from the north, bringing fresh air from the polar
regions of North America, but it warms up when it
crosses the Gulf of Mexico on the way to Central
America.
The climate in El Salvador varies according to the
altitude.
There are three distinct areas according to the
average air temperature during the year.
hh From 0 to 800 meters: the average temperature
decreases with height from 27 to 22 degrees
Celsius in the coastal plains and from 28 to 22
degrees Celsius in the inner plains;
hh From 800 to 1,200 meters: average temperature
decreases with height from 22 to 20 degrees
Celsius in the high plains and from 21 to 19
degrees Celsius in the mountain sides; and
hh From 1,200 to 2,700 meters: 20 to 16 degrees
Celsius in the high plains and valleys; 21 to 19
in the mountain sides and 16 to 10 degrees
Celsius in valleys and depressions over 1,800
meters. The highest elevation in El Salvador is
El Pital, in the Chalatenango Department, with
2,700 meters.
RISK SITUATION AND FREQUENT
HAZARDS
Due to its geographical and geological
background, El Salvador is vulnerable to several
kinds of disasters: earthquakes of high magnitude,
volcanic eruptions, droughts, tropical storms and
severe floods. Most of the territory is mountainous,
volcanic, with a coastal belt. The country is divided
in two regions by two mountain ranges, running
parallel from west to east: mountains, central
plateau and coastal plains (Pacific lowlands). The
southern mountain range has 20 volcanoes.
The largest devastations have been caused by the
earthquakes in the volcanic mountains that cross
the country parallel to the Pacific coast and which
belong to the Ring of Fire, and in the geological
faults system towards the northeast and southeast.
16
The most severe earthquakes in El Salvador took
place in January and February 2001, caused by
several earthquakes and numerous aftershocks,
which left a balance of 1,159 deaths, 8,122
wounded and 1.5 million casualties.
Every year, during the rainy season (July to
October) there is floods and landslides. The
overflowing of the Lempa and Grande rivers in San
Miguel pose a constant threat to the population
living along the shoreline. The most severe floods
in the recent years was caused by the passage of
Hurricane Mitch in October 1998.
On the other hand, the volcanic eruptions have
buried large areas throughout the country´s
history. The most serious eruption took place in
1917 in the Boquerón Volcano. Today, only a few
volcanoes are continuously active: the Santa Ana
volcano, the San Salvador volcano, the San Miguel
volcano and the Izalco volcano, although we can´t
rule out the reactivation of some volcanoes which
were active in the past.
Below there is a brief description of the main natural
and man-made hazards linked to the occurrence
of emergencies and disasters in the country.
Natural hazards
By looking at the geography, physiography,
climatology and geology of El Salvador, the type
and magnitude of the events that are likely to occur
in the country, can be determined. The probability
of earthquakes is very high in the northwest and
lower in the rest of the country. The probability
of landslides is very high in a large area of the
country. When observing the climatic phenomena
the probability of storms and hurricanes is 0 to 2
per year, which increases the probability of floods.
The most severe climatological events in the country
are floods, landslides, hurricanes and droughts16.
Currently, a project financed by the European Union
is being implemented through CEPREDENAC,
as a member country of the Central American
Integration System (SICA): “Regional Program for
the Reduction of Vulnerability and Environmental
Degradation” (PREVDA), whose general objective
is: to advance change towards an integrated
environmental management with emphasis on the
Disaster Relief, 1999; World Map of Natural Hazards, 1978; CIAT/World Bank/UNEP, 2000
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
36
Table 14: Emergencies and disasters related to natural hazards
Hurricane Mitch (1998):
The passage of Hurricane Mitch through El Salvador brought a situation of national which affecting
in particular the communities located along the Pacific coast and the Lempa and Grande riverbanks
communities in San Miguel.
http://www.reliefweb.int/library/documents/paho_hurr_7elsalv.pdf
Floods (1998 because of Hurricane Mitch) and (2005):
Deaths, floods and landslides due to rainfall in El Salvador. The rainfall lasted three days leaving the
country with four deaths, and 160 families evacuated from the high risk areas; there were floods and
landslides.
http://mapas.snet.gob.sv/hidrologia/view.php?id=373
Earthquake in El Salvador (2001):
On January 13, 2001, a seismic crisis began with several earthquake and numerous aftershocks,
causing serious damage to the population and the infrastructure, productive activities and the
environment in the country.
http://www.crid.or.cr/digitalizacion/pdf/spa/doc14197/doc14197.htm
Volcán de San Salvador (1917):
On June 7, 1917 the Boquerón volcano erupted for the last time, erasing a lake and leaving an
elevation in the center of the crater.
http://www.snet.gob.sv/Geologia/Vulcanologia/paginas/Mapa%20de%20Amenaza%20VSS.htm
water resources and the reduction of the social and
natural hazards and vulnerabilities of the Lempa
river´s basin (sub-basins: Shushula and Nunuapa)
http://www.sica.int/prevda/ugn_es.aspx.
Some of the large-scale emergencies and disasters
that have affected El Salvador are briefly detailed
in Table 14.
Man-made hazards
Technological disasters have also occurred,
although with less frequency, resulting from
various threats linked to population growth,
exploitation of natural resources, and industrial
and urban development. Some areas in the
cities of San Salvador and San Miguel are
very vulnerable to floods due to deficiencies of
drainage, of hydraulic infrastructure and to the
excess of garbage or sediments deposited on the
riverbeds. Deforestation, misuse of the soil and
mismanagement of the watersheds contribute
to the degradation of the environment and to
increased threats to the population.
One of the most shocking events was lead was
lead contamination, produced in the Sitio del Niño
by a battery manufacturer. It is estimated that the
contaminated area extends within 8 km radius, and
the impact on the area has not been measured
yet, except for the presence of lead detected in the
blood of the residents who live near the factory.
Another type of contamination is noise. In El
Salvador, the main sources of noise are those of
mass transportation. Table 15 shows some of the
emergencies linked to human made hazards in El
Salvador.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
37
Table 15: Emergencies and man-made disasters in El Salvador
The following serious emergencies occurred in El Salvador:
hh Dengue epidemic (1983).
hh Lead contamination in the Sitio del Niño [the Place of the Child] caused by a battery manufacturing
company (2007).
hh Food intoxication outbreak by Salmonella Enteritidis at the National Zacamil Hospital (2007).
TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
El Salvador has shown a significant commitment
and development in the area of ICTs, as well
as leadership at the regional level on the topics
related to the “Information Society”17. Many
sources indicate that El Salvador has had an
active participation on the subject, revealed by the
creation of a national strategy called e-País, based
on the opportunities provided by ICTs as tools
which energize the country´s economic and social
development and seek to improve the citizen´s
quality of life. Table 16 presents a chronology
of the systematic progress made by this Central
American country.
The National Council on Science and Technology
(CONACYT) is the institution that promotes
technology and innovation for a sustainable
economic and social development by means
of a national policy on science, technology and
innovation18. E-País is an integral program which
gathers all the existing initiatives on ICTs and brings
in new ones. Five lines of action encompassing
all identified bills have been defined. El Salvador
considers the E-País program as a national effort
with a vision shared by all Salvadorans, accepting
the use of ICTs as the main vehicle to have access
to a better standard of living for everyone. Some
of the action lines of e-País are: a) promotion of
ICTs, b) promotion of education through ICTs, c)
transparency and access to public information, d)
promotion and protection of electronic transactions,
e) creation of an institutional framework for the
e-País program.
Table 16: Evolution of ICTs in El Salvador
hh 1960-1980: Big computers
hh 1981: First personal computers
hh 1984: First computing career
hh 1992: Deferred Electronic mail
hh 1995: In December, connection to the
Internet
hh 1998: Beginning of CRA Project*
hh 2000: National Policy on Informatics
hh 2000: First 5 Infocentros
hh 2004: IT Master Plan
hh 2005: Plan 2021
hh 2005: In December, connection to
Advanced Networks
hh 2006: e-País Strategy and e-Gob Platform
hh 2008: II Ministerial Conference about the
Information Society
hh (*CRAs: rural grouped schools, by its
Spanish acronym)
By Information Society we understand “a society in which the creation, distribution, diffusion, uses, integration and manipulation of information
is a significant economic, political, and cultural activity.” (http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociedad_de_la_información;
18
For more information, please visit CONACYT page at: http://www.conacyt.gob.sv/
17
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
38
In February 2008, El Salvador hosted the Second
Ministerial Conference on the Information Society,
where 26 LAC countries reached the “San Salvador
Commitment” and where El Salvador had to follow
up on the commitments reached. (http://www.
elac2007.org.sv).
In terms of fixed-line telephone services, an
approximate 16% of the population has access
to telephones, while the number of cellular phone
users increased from 20% in 2000 to 90% in 2007
(see table 17). The costs of fixed-line telephone
services for residential users have dropped
considerably in the past seven years.
Regarding internet access, El Salvador went from
over 1% of the population having access to this
technology to 11% in 2007, and 94% of them are
subscribed to fixed broadband. Internet services
prices have decreased in 2003 and have stayed
below the average for Latin America and the
Caribbean. The percentage of personal computers
is slightly above 5% of the population and 83% of
households have television sets.
El Salvador has a significant number of relevant
initiatives related to the development and
strengthening of ICTs, among others:
hh Program CONECTATE [Get connected] of the
Ministry of Education, promising to improve
the current situation of ICTs in education with
technological tools, promoting their productive
use (http://www.conectate.gob.sv/);
hh Establishment of NAP: Internet exchange point
(IXP). Establishment of neutral access points
for everything related to the exchange of data
furthering the development of the Information
Society (http://www.epais.gob.sv/nota_1.html);
hh Infocentros: it is about ICTs bringing access
to information to the public, through a national
Infocentros network. (http://www.infocentros.
org.sv/nai/);
hh FutureKids: provides educational institutions
with different solutions to support the adoption
of ICTs as tools to enrich the teaching-learning
process. (http://www.futurekids.com.sv); and,
hh Arroba de Oro [Golden @] Ciber olimpíadas
[Ciber olimpics]: Arroba de Oro was born in the
year 2001 in El Salvador, as part of a strategy
seeking to encourage the development of the
Internet industry in the country. Its significance
transcends the country, through a competition
where a prize is awarded to the website which
better contributes to the development of the
internet industry in all Latin America. (http://
www.arrobadeoro.com).
REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORKS
According to the Global Competitiveness Index
2008-2009 of the World Economic Forum, in the
Latin American region, El Salvador ranks number
79 with a competitiveness index of 3.99. With
regard to legislation related to the use of information
and communication technologies (electronic trade,
digital signature and consumer protection), the
report gives El Salvador a ranking of 3.42, with 1=
nonexistent and 7= well developed.
It is worth mentioning the role of the National
Service of Territorial Studies (SNET), whose
goal is to contribute to disaster risk reduction
and prevention. Moreover, SNET promotes and
facilitates the development and implementation of
Table 17:
1995
2000
2007
0.24%
12.00%
89.60%
Internet users
-
1.10%
11.10%
Personal computers
-
1.90%
5.20%
Landline telephones
5.03%
10.10%
15.80%
Indicator
Cellular subscribers
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
39
policies, strategies, programs and projects which
would benefit and foster the crystallization of
the interventions that national public and private
organizations, institutions and communities
implement to foster development and where
risk reduction and control would constitute
crosscutting and integrating activities. In order to
develop its activities, SNET compiles, manages
and produces information and therefore, requires
a broad technological electronic support for most
of its activities, which go from the establishment of
basic electronic communication and cooperation
mechanisms and tools up to information systems,
of operational and managerial nature that expedite
the institutional processes.
In addition to the roles common to all information
technology
organizations,
a
specialized
technical area is included for the management
of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), an
important tool for monitoring the space patterns of
natural phenomena and the analysis and modeling
of hazards and vulnerability for various areas or
sectors. The objective of the National Service
of Territorial Studies (SNET) is to support the
generation of knowledge and the optimization of
the institution’s information assets, also facilitating
the socialization of this knowledge through the
establishment of mechanisms of dissemination
and access to information. Therefore, when
combining information technology with the
modern tools of the Geographical Information
System, the institution can work with databases
that incorporate risk mitigation and prevention
measures, at the national, regional and local levels,
becoming basic information in decision-making
for territorial planning and for the implementation
of development strategies which effectively
incorporate Risk Management criteria. (http://
www.snet.gob.sv/usi.htm).
National Information
regulations19
Policy:
Legislation
and
El Salvador has been developing legal and
regulatory frameworks which provide the basis
for the development and application of ICTs. One
of the main frameworks dates back to 1983 with
the passage of the Constitution of the Republic
of El Salvador through Decree No. 38-1983, later
amended by Decree-Law No. 154 of 2003.
Community Development Act, Decree 425-1977 of
December 20, 1977. This law was created with the
purpose of attaining better economic, social and
cultural development in the municipalities.
One of the goals of the National Committee on
Informatics (CNI) of El Salvador, established by
the National Council of Science and Technology
(CONACYT) in 1966, is to create and present
proposals on information technology policy
in the country. For that purpose, CNI has the
representation and participation of twenty eight
institutions from the public and private sectors
and from the academic and academic/nongovernment sectors. They also count on the
support of CONACYT in their capacity of permanent
secretariat of CNI. With the cooperative work of
this group of institutions and the validation from
other entities, the National Information Technology
Policy was formulated to provide a strategy for the
country in the area of Information Technology, also
known as Informatics.
On December 2004, through Executive Decree
No.79-2004, the National Committee for the
Information Society was created to function as an
advisory and consultative entity to the President
of the Republic regarding the development and
consolidation of the information society in the
country20.
In August 2006, this Committee prepared the
National Strategy for e-país program, to make
knowledge available to everyone through the
use and application of the Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) and thereby
raising the competitiveness level of every
Salvadoran. This was the motto of the National
Committee for the Information Society21.
The Puebla –Panama Plan (PPP) is a regional
development plan with eight main areas and with
A national information policy is the coordination of public measures for the design of a strategy geared towards development and use or
resources, services and information systems.
20
Please visit the following link: http://www.csj.gob.sv/leyes.nsf/ef438004d40bd5dd862564520073ab15/89deb6c6263c733206257118005807
d8?OpenDocument
19
Please visit this link: https://www.bmi.gob.sv/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/BMI_HTMLS/BMI_PULSO_INDUSTRIA_IMG/PROGRAMA_EPAIS_
RESUMEN.PDF
21
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
40
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
each country in charge of one topic. Within that
framework, El Salvador is in charge of Electronic
Government (e-Government) and to that end,
in December 2006, the Feasibility study for the
establishment of e-Government in El Salvador was
developed. The goal of the study is to prepare a
specific plan to establish an e-Government platform
in El Salvador taking into account the subsequent
implementation of the plan to be financed by
various sources including a loan from the Japan
Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).
Broadcasting and Telecommunications
Broadcasting in El Salvador is regulated by
various norms ranging from constitutional level
to regulatory level. Article 6 of the Constitution
of El Salvador of 1983 relates to freedom of
expression and information22. It is also part of the
most significant international treaties on human
rights. In this manner, rules regarding freedom
of expression, such as article 13 of the American
Convention on Human Rights and article 19 of
the International Covenant and Civil and Political
Rights are fully integrated in the national legal
system. The International Telecommunications
Convention has also been ratified. The norms
more closely related to the operations of radio
stations and access to the radio spectrum are:
1. Creation of the General Superintendency
of Electricity and Telecommunications Act
(SIGET) Legislative Decree N° 808-1996
dated September 12, 1996 and its enabling
Regulation: Executive Decree Nº: 56 of May
13, 199823.
2. Telecommunications Act: Legislative Decree
No. 142-1997 of November 6th, 1997 and its
enabling Regulation: Executive Decree No. 56
of May 13, 199824. (This version incorporates
the amendments up to 2006; among them
are those required by the FTA with the United
States).
Legislative Decree No. No.808-1996 created
the General Superintendency of Electricity and
Telecommunications (SIGET) and revoked
the previous National Telecommunications
Administration (ANTEL, by its Spanish acronym).
Table 18: Links related to regulations on digital information and telecommunications
hh National Service of Territorial Studies/Informatics services (SNET/USI): http://www.snet.gob.sv/usi.
htm
hh National Informatics Committee (CNI): www.cni.org.sv
hh National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT). http://www.conacyt.gob.sv/
hh Feasibility study for the establishment of e-Government in El Salvador. http://lvzopac.jica.go.jp/
external/library?func=function.opacsch.mmdsp&view=view.opacsch.mmindex&shoshisbt=1&shosh
ino=0000170299&volno=0000000000&filename=11838869.pdf&seqno=1
hh General Superintendency of Electricity and Telecommunications (SIGET). http://www.siget.gob.sv/
index.aspx?tipo=17
hh Legislation and the Right to Communication Program: Latin America and the Caribbean (AMARC):
El Salvador. http://legislaciones.item.org.uy/index?q=paises/36
hh Situation in the Central American countries. Summary of national studies: El Salvador http://
legislaciones.item.org.uy/files/Marco%20regulatorio%20de%20Radiodifusion%20-%20El%20
Salvador.pdf
For more information see the following link: http://legislaciones.item.org.uy/index?q=node/564
See texts of the law at: http://legislaciones.item.org.uy/files/Ley_General_de_Creacion_de_SIGET.pdf ; See full text of Regulations [Reglamento]
at: http://legislaciones.item.org.uy/files/Reglamento_de_la_ley_de_creacion_SIGET.pdf
24
Ver link: http://www.siget.gob.sv/documentos/telecomunicaciones/legislacion/reglamento_de_la_ley_de_telecomunicaciones0.pdf
22
23
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
41
SIGET became the competent agency to apply
the norm contained in international treaties on
electricity and telecommunications in effect in El
Salvador and in the laws and regulations that rule
the electricity and telecommunications sectors.
The objective of the Telecommunications Act is to
regulate the activities of the telecommunications
sector, particularly the public telephone service,
the use of the radio spectrum, the access to the
essential resources and the numeration plan,
including the assignment of access keys of the
multicarrier system. Likewise, it is established that
the General Superintendency of Electricity and
Telecommunications will be the responsible entity
for applying and ensuring compliance with the
rules and regulations established in this Law and
its Regulations25.
On April 22, 2009, Resolution no. T-03902009 came into effect, on the basis of which
the General Superintendency of Electricity and
Telecommunications (SIGET) decided to accept
the ATSC US norm for radio and digital TV26.
Table 18 presents a list of web pages and
links where more detailed/specific regulatory
frameworks related to ICTs in El Salvador can be
accessed.
Disaster Risk Management: Legislation and
Regulations
On April 8, 1976 Legislative Decree No.498: Civil
Defense Act was passed, establishing the National
Emergency Committee (COEN) with the purpose
of coordinating actions and making decisions in
emergency situations, in order to respond quickly
and timely.
On August 31, 2005 Decree No.777-2005: the Civil
Protection, Prevention and Disaster Mitigation Act
was approved. The goal of this decree was to
prevent, mitigate and efficiently handle natural and
man-made disasters in the country, and if need
be, to deploy the civil protection public service,
which should characterize itself by its generality,
obligatory nature, continuity and regularity, in
order to ensure the life and the physical integrity of
people, as well as the safety of public and private
property. Its goal is to establish the National
System of Civil Protection and Disaster Mitigation
and Prevention (SISNAE) with the responsibility
to formulate and implement the appropriate work
plans for civil protection, work plans for prevention,
risk management and impact mitigation.
The system consists of:
a) the National
Commission of Civil Protection and Disaster
Prevention and Mitigation, b) the Departmental
Commissions for Civil Protection, Prevention
and Disaster Mitigation, c) the Municipal and
Communal Commissions for Civil Protection and
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
National Emergency Plan: one of the components
of the National Emergency Plan is the Emergency
Operations Center (COE, by its Spanish acronym),
whose goal is to coordinate the multisectoral and
inter-institutional efforts when a warning has been
issued countrywide. The Emergency Operations
Center has a manual of procedures and functional
organization created in 2001, which includes the
organizational structure, institutional functions and
response plans, as well as the logistic aspects of
the operation and coordination for the emergency.
Executive Decree no. 96 of September 14, 2001,
created the National Service of Territorial Studies
(SNET), a public institution assigned to the Ministry
of the Environment and Natural Resources. The
main objective of SNET is to contribute to disaster
prevention and reduction. Therefore, the research
and study of nature’s phenomena, processes and
dynamics, the environment and society which
are directly or indirectly related to the probability
of disasters and, consequently, of losses and
physical, economic, social and environmental
damages, falls under its jurisdiction. All ensuing
responsibilities and functions assigned to SNET
have been structured in four units: Geological,
Meteorological, Hydrological and Territorial
Studies, and Risk Management services. They
are supported by the Informatics’ Services Unit
and Administrative and General Services Unit (for
more information refer to the previous section on
technological support and infrastructure).
The legal and regulatory framework of SIGET can be found at en : http://www.siget.gob.sv/BusquedaPublica.aspx?tipo=3&titulo=to1&ordena
do=0&dir=DESC
26
See text of Resolution at: http://legislaciones.item.org.uy/index?q=node/969
25
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
42
On May 18, 2007, Executive Decree No. 42
was approved, after which the National Service
of Territorial Studies (SNET) becomes part of
the Ministry of the Environment and Natural
Resources. On July 16, 2008 the National Platform
for Disaster Risk Reduction was approved. The
focal point for the implementation of the Hyogo
Framework for Action in El Salvador is the National
Service of Territorial Studies (SNET). http://www.
preventionweb.net/files/globalplatform/entry_pre
sentation~ElSalvadorNP150609%5B2%5D.pdf 27
In addition to the regulatory framework more
specific to ICTs, El Salvador has also made some
progress with regard to norms and institutional
frameworks related to disaster risk management.
In emergency situations, El Salvador also works
with SUMA: PAHO/WHO Humanitarian Supply
Management System: an information management
tool which employs an easy-to-use computerized
system to follow up the items from the moment
they are actually distributed to the affected
population. (http://www.disaster-info.net/SUMA/
spanish/index.htm).
SUMA in El Salvador: Humanitarian assistance
management following the 2001 earthquakes28
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
and four other United Nations agencies have just
completed the first development phase of a new
system: Logistics Support System (LSS), based
on the SUMA system of the PAHO for managing
humanitarian resources following disasters. Both
LSS and SUMA are systems based on computer
software that help response systems consolidate
and exchange information, improve operational
transparency, register and monitor the distribution
of undocumented elements, especially donations
not expressly requested.
Relevant regulations by sectors
On January 4, 1993, the National Council on
Science and Technology (CONACYT) is created
by Decree no. 287-93, with the main functions
of formulating and leading the national policy
regarding scientific and technological development
geared toward economic and social development
in the country.29
In addition to the above, there are norms and
guidelines developed in the country with regard to
various areas of public and private business which
can also be considered as strategies for ICTs
applied to disaster mitigation, either by the actors
involved or the space created for the possible
use of these technologies in risk management by
sector. In this regard, the chapter on El Salvador
on the “Compilation of regulations on Health and
Disasters: Latin America”, developed by the Pan
American Health Organization presents a fairly
developed set of regulations for the health sector.30
In the education sector, the National Informatics
Commission developed the National Informatics
Policy, whose objectives are mentioned in chapter
II: “Education and training of human resources”.
Objective no.1 is to: “provide and advise with regard
to access to Information and Communication
Technologies”. The national systems of formal and
informal education and complementary programs
are supporting the consolidation of a computerized
Salvadoran society with the willingness to become
knowledge-based society.
With regard to water and sanitation, a Water and
Sanitation Network (RASES) was established, as
a space for interested organizations to exchange
experiences on the sustainability of potable water
and sanitation systems in the urban and surrounding
areas in El Salvador. The institutions which reviewed
this initiative were: the National Administration of
Aqueducts and Sewerage (ANDA), the Ministry of
Public Health and Social Work (MSPAS), the Pan
American Health Organization (PAHO), UNICEF
and the American Cooperative of Remittances
Abroad (CARE), among others.
In 2001-2003 RASES underwent an internal
reorganization process with the purpose of
obtaining commitments by its members and to
For more information visit : http://www.eird.org/perfiles-paises/perfiles/index.php/El_Salvador
For more information visit: http://www.disaster-info.net/SUMA/spanish/documentos/Revista%20SUMA_Ayuda_Transparente.pdf
29
See text of decree at: http://www.conacyt.gob.sv/Ley%20del%20Consejo.pdf
30
See more information at: http://www.disaster-info.net/PED-Sudamerica/leyes/vgpccd.html
27
28
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
43
carry out a strategic planning to expand the network’s frame of reference to include the topic of protection
of the water resources. Currently, RASES is managed through a management group, with representatives
of governmental, nongovernmental and cooperation institutions.
Table No. 19 shows some of the regulatory frameworks relevant to the education and other critical sectors,
such as water and environment.
Table 19: Legislation in critical sectors for disaster mitigation
Environmental Law: http://www.cesta-foe.org/recursos/pdfs/Ley_de_medio_ambiente.pdf
More specific/detailed regulations on the environment can be found in the following web pages:
hh http://www.latinlaws.com/legislacion/modules/mylinks/viewcat.php?cid=154
hh http://www.ccad.ws/legislacion/El_Salvador.htm
Law on the integrated management of water: http://www.ccad.ws/documentos/legislacion/ES/DL-886.pdf
Plan of action for the integrated water management in the Central American Isthmus): http://www.ccad.ws/
documentos/pacadirh/PACADIRH.pdf
General Education Law: Decree No.917-1996 of December 12, 1996 and its amendment: Decree Law. 687, of
May 13, 2005 http://www.mined.gob.sv/descarga/Ley-general-de-educacion-reformas-2005_0_.pdf
National Education Plan 2021: Metas y políticas para construir el país que queremos”. [Goals and policies to
build the country we want] http://www.oei.es/quipu/salvador/plan2021_metasypoliticas.pdf
For more information on the legislation on education in El Salvador, please visit: http://www.oei.es/quipu/salvador/
index.html#legi
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
44
BIBLIOGRAPHY
hh PAHO/WHO. Area of preparedness for
situations of emergency and relief in case of
disasters, country profiles: El Salvador. http://
www.disaster-info.net/PED-Centroamerica/
index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcat
egory&id=60&Itemid=240
hh Compilation of regulations on health and
disasters: Latin America: PAHO/WHO.
http://www.disaster-info.net/PED-Sudamerica/
leyes/vgpccd.html
hh International
Strategy
for
Disaster
Reduction Regional Office for the Americas
(UNISDR) the Americas. Country profile: El
Salvador. http://www.eird.org/perfiles-paises/
perfiles/index.php/El_Salvador
hh Situation in the Central American Countries:
Summary of National Studies: El Salvador. http://
legislaciones.item.org.uy/files/Marco%20
regulatorio%20de%20Radiodifusion%20-%20
El%20Salvador.pdf
hh The Global Information Technology Report
2008–2009: Mobility in a Networked World.
h t t p : / / w w w. w e f o r u m . o r g / p d f / g i t r / 2 0 0 9 /
gitr09fullreport.pdf
hh The Global Competitiveness Index 2008-2009:
World Economic Forum. http://72.52.156.225/
Estudio.aspx?Estudio=indice-competitividad
hh Epidemiological Situation of Acute Pesticide
Poisoning in the Central American Isthmus,
1992-2000. http://www.paho.org/spanish/sha/
be_v23n3-plaguicidas.htm
hh Hurricane Mitch in El Salvador / OPS-MS.http://
www.paho.org/Spanish/Ped/gm-salvador.pdf
hh Legislation and the Right to Communication
Program: Latin America and the Caribbean
(AMARC): El Salvador http://legislaciones.
item.org.uy/index?q=paises/36
hh National Council of Science and Technology
(CONACYT):
http://www.conacyt.gob.sv/
Ley%20del%20Consejo.pdf
hh The Water and Sanitation Network of El
Salvador (RASES): http://www.rases.org.sv
hh Education Progress Report: El Salvador 2002.
http://www.oei.es/quipu/salvador/preal_2002.
pdf
hh SUMA: Humanitarian Supply Management
System. http://www.disaster-info.net/SUMA/
spanish/index.htm
hh National Educational Systems / OEI. http://
www.oei.es/quipu/salvador/index.html
hh Legislation and policies. http://www.ccad.ws/
legislacion/El_Salvador.htm
hh Latin Laws. Biblioteca Legal Latinoamericana.
http://www.latinlaws.com/elsalvador.html
hh Plan of action for the integrated water
management in the Central American Isthmus.
http://www.ccad.ws/documentos/pacadirh/
PACADIRH.pdf
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
45
GUATEMALA31
Capital: Guatemala
Population: 13.3 million
Area: 108,890 km2
Population density: 135 h/km2
Urban population: 47.2%
Demographic growth rate: 2.4
Currency: El Quetzal
Language: Spanish
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Republic of Guatemala is located in the
Central American Isthmus, bordering Mexico to
the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the south,
Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast, and
Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the northeast. Its
territory covers an area of 108,890 km2 and has
a population of 13.3 million (2007)32. The territory
is organized in 22 departments (see Table 20). It
is called the “country of eternal spring”; it does not
have extreme temperatures. The climate varies
according to the altitude.
Table 20: Administrative division33
Area (km2)
Estimated
population
Department
Capital
Alta Verapaz
Baja Verapaz
Chimaltenango
Chiquimula
Escuintla
Guatemala
Huehuetenango
Izabal
Jalapa
Jutiapa
El Petén
El Progreso
Quetzaltenango
El Quiché
Retalhuleu
Sacatepéquez
San Marcos
Santa Rosa
Sololá
Suchitepéquez
Cobán
Salamá
Chimaltenango
Chiquimula
Escuintla
Guatemala
Huehuetenango
Puerto Barrios
Jalapa
Jutiapa
Flores
Guastatoya
Quetzaltenango
Santa Cruz del Quiché
Retalhuleu
Antigua Guatemala
San Marcos
Cuilapa
Sololá
Mazatenango
Totonicapán
Totonicapán
1.061
435.646
Zacapa
Zacapa
2.690
259.256
8,686
3,124
1,979
2,376
4,384
2,126
7,4
9,038
2,063
3,219
35,854
1,922
1,951
8,378
1,856
465
3,791
2,955
1,061
2.510
920,707
263,189
520,21
110,063
658,643
3,483,929
927,838
395,384
348,722
498,995
397,632
158,052
752,285
717,879
311,881
289,116
831,276
332,321
371,634
469.340
The UNISDR Americas has developed country profiles with specific information on all aspects of risk reduction, including national counterparts,
regulatory frameworks, projects and initiatives on risk management in the country at hand. For a more detailed information please visit El
Salvador Country Profile at the following web: http://www.eird.org/wikiesp/index.php/Guatemala
32
The Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009.
33
Figures come from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) in Guatemala - 2002
31
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
46
The coastal zones and the northeast (river valleys) have warm temperatures throughout the year; in
the central area of the country, between 700 and 1,800 meters of altitude the climate is moderate. The
area above 1,899 meters of altitude is called “cold zone”, and it has a drier climate. In Guatemala there
are two well-defined seasons: the dry season and the rainy season, which lasts from May to November
(in some Atlantic areas the rainy season lasts practically all year, like in Verapaces and El Petén) with
abundant precipitation. In general, temperatures drop abruptly at night.
Table 21: Emergencies and disasters related to natural hazards
Floods (2005): Heavy rainfall caused by the passage of Hurricane Stan in several Central American countries.
Among them, Guatemala was the most affected one, experiencing floods and landslides due to the heavy rainfall
level attained in just a few days. http://www.usaid.gov/gt/espanol/disaster.htm
Hurricane Mitch (1998): Hurricane Mitch affected Guatemala particularly between the last week of October
and the first week of November in 1998; the magnitude of the damages was large, although smaller than in
other countries of the region. The meteorological phenomenon moved at a lower speed, and from a total of 22
departments, 14 were affected, according to official sources. The eastern area and the southern coast were the
most affected regions in the country.http://www.paho.org/Spanish/Ped/gm-guatemala.pdf
Santa María Volcano (1902): Considered the strongest in the last 500 years in Guatemala and one of the 10
most severe worldwide in the XX century. The pyroclastic flows caused 6,000 casualties. http://es.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Santa_Mar%C3%ADa_(volc%C3%A1n)
Guatemala earthquake (1976): In 1976, 23,000 people died in the Guatemala earthquake and close to 90% of
constructions in the central area of the highlands were destroyed or severely damaged. The collapse of the slopes
where thousands of people with scarce resources were living caused most of the deaths in Guatemala City.http://
www.crid.or.cr/digitalizacion/pdf/spa/doc6785/doc6785.htm
RISK SITUATION AND FREQUENT
HAZARDS
Guatemala’s geographical location and geological
traits make it a country with multiple and diverse
landscapes, and a country highly vulnerable and
exposed to different types of disasters. Guatemala
is located in one of areas of the world more prone
to natural hazards.
Guatemala has Los Cuchumatanes, the highest
elevation in Central America and Sierra Madre,
which forms the country’s central high plateau,
and marks the watershed. From the Sierra Madre
system several branches emerge; among the
most important ones are the Minas and Santa
Cruz highlands. The country has five main lakes:
Amatitlán, Atitlán, Guija, Izabal and Petén Itzá, and
a great number of ponds.
Throughout history, volcanoes have been
associated with important events, such as the
transfers of the capital city of Guatemala. In 1999
and 2000, earthquakes caused damage to 12
departments, and at the beginning of 2001 there
was seismic activity due to the earthquake in El
Salvador. In November 1998, hurricane Mitch
caused damage in 14 of the 22 departments in the
country, leaving 268 deaths. As in all the Central
American Countries, deforestation and soil erosion
add to the destructive consequences of heavy
rainfall.
Following is a brief description of the main natural
and man-made hazards linked to emergencies
and disasters in the Guatemalan territory.
Natural hazards
Guatemala is located on three tectonic plates:
North American, Caribbean and Cocos, whose
movements, together with 40 volcanoes (all of
them along the mountain range stretching parallel
to the Pacific coast: Sierra Madre), three of which
are active, and the emergence of six geological
faults expose the country to natural hazards.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
47
Guatemala has active volcanoes and is affected
by the cycle of Caribbean hurricanes and by
very heavy rainfall. The regions which are
most vulnerable to volcanic activity are the
departments of Guatemala and Escuintla, where
the Pacaya Volcano is located, the departments of
Sacatepéquez and Escuintla in the central- south
area of Guatemala City where the Fuego volcano
is located and the department of Quetzaltenango,
where the Santiaguito volcano is found.
The most vulnerable regions with the highest risk
of earthquakes are: Guatemala, El Progreso,
Zacatepequez, Chimaltenango, Escuintla, San
Rosa, Sololá, Totonicapán, Quetzaltenango,
Suchitepéquez, Retalhuleu, San Marcos, Baja
Verapaz, Zacapa, Chiquimula, Jalapa and Jutiapa.
Guatemala belongs to an area of persistent hazards
and its high risk situation is, to a large extent, the
result of an equation where poverty intervenes as
a determining factor. The valley where Guatemala
City stands and its surrounding areas is formed, for
the most part, of pumice deposits, containing lesser
amounts of other types of lithology (limestone,
granite to the north, fluvial deposits and tertiary lava
in the eastern and western borders). The slopes
of ravines, due to its incline and the properties
of the material they are made of (mainly their
resistance), are prone to landslides. In the most
common cases (pumice) the stability of the slope is
influenced by the water content of the material it is
made of: the higher the water content, the lower the
stability of the slope. The areas more susceptible
to landslides are those with steep inclines, slopes
with low resistance to cutting (commonly made of
pumice and/or weathered rock). In these areas,
there are precarious human settlements which are
particularly vulnerable to these phenomena.
Extreme climatological events in this country
include floods, hurricanes, droughts and rising sea
level. Some of the emergencies and disasters of
greater magnitude that have affected Guatemala
are briefly described in Table 21.
TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
In Guatemala, 10% of the population has access to
telephone lines totaling 1.5 million lines installed.
Among the enterprises which provide fixed-line
telephony is Telecommunications of Guatemala
(TELGUA), an international operator of América
Móvil and Telefónica de Guatemala, belonging to
the Spanish international operator Telefónica. The
increase of the landline telephone market is under
consideration, through the installation of more
telephone lines in the urban and rural areas of the
country in order to compensate for the existing
high demand.
With regard to cellular telephones, 74% of
Guatemalans have cellular phones (see Table
22). The telecommunications sector invested
2,400 million to provide better coverage and deal
with the market demands. Coverage is expected
to increase. The three operators have improved
its GSM networks, going from GPRS to EDGE,
and they are planning to launch the UMTS/HSPA.
Strategies have been implemented in order to
keep the growth rate of fixed-line telephony; the
building of new transmitting antennas will increase
the coverage area. There are three operators
for cellular telephones in the market which use
GSM technology34. In general, cellular telephones
are accessible to the poorest segments of the
population.
Table 22:
Indicator
1995
2000
2007
Cellular subscribers
0.30%
7.60%
76.00%
0.70%
10.10%
Personal computers
0.30%
1.20%
2.10%
Fixed-line telephony
2.87%
6.00%
10.40%
Internet users
34
Telecomunicaciones de Guatemala (TELGUA); Millicom; Telefónica de Guatemala and Intelfón.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
48
Around 10% of Guatemalans are Internet users,
and 2% of the population has personal computers.
The private sector expects to create connectivity
points to Internet from all municipalities in the
country, from places already in operation where
people can get different services. Through an
electronic e-Government initiative and with the
support of institutions such as the Superintendency
of Telecommunications SIT (www.sit.gob.gt), an
ambitious connectivity project was developed,
seeking to set up a large capacity center in more
than 300 different rural nodes in the country. Most
Guatemalans do not have broadband connection,
with the most common connection being ¨dial up¨
telephone dialing. Internet sites in Guatemala are
classified by domain: com.gt, net.gt, .org.gt, .edu.
gt, .mil.gt, .gob.gt y .ind.gt. Twenty eight companies
provide wireless or cable internet, of which only a
few provide satellite connection, such as: YEGO
(http://www.yego.com.gt) and CONVERGENCE
(www.guate.net).
Guatemala has 772 private broadcasting stations
with their own programs. There is an average
of 230 AM radio stations, 517 FM stations
and 21 shortwave stations. Projects are being
managed with the purpose of creating community
broadcasting services which will be used to channel
collective interests.
Half of Guatemalan households have television
equipments and can have access to 14 channels
with authorized repeater stations to broadcast its
signal to the whole country. There are over six
(6) television channels, in addition to 25 relay
antennas. Television channel TV-USAC establishes
a communication link between the university and
society.
REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORKS
In Guatemala, the initiative to group the main
sectors of the Information and Communication
Technology (ICTs) industry in a cluster was done
in order to join forces to bring the country to the
position of a Latin American technology center,
generating businesses that would allow for the
creation of new jobs, mainly based on knowledge,
and would contribute to the future development
of the country by providing world quality digital
products and services, of high aggregate value
and highly profitable, for international markets. The
role on the part of the private initiative is to create
enterprises that generate employment and provide
new services; on the part of the government,
the role is to prepare and support initiatives that
allow the enterprises to compete nationally and
internationally, and on the part of the academia the
role is to integrate the private initiative and prepare
professionals to respond to the market real needs.
With the purpose of improving productivity, as well
as local and international positioning, agendas
would be developed and the competitiveness of
the sectors involved would be promoted.
National Information
regulations 35
Policy:
Legislation
and
Guatemala has been developing legislative and
regulatory frameworks which provide a basis for
the development and application of ICTs. One
of the main precedents dates back to January
30th, 2002, when the Presidential Commission
for State Reform, Decentralization and Citizen
Participation (COPRE) was created and regulated
through Government Accord 24-2002 and No.3122002, of September 6, 2002, with the purpose of
strengthening the representative, participatory
and intercultural democracy, and refocusing the
Government´s policies towards an effective State
Reform aiming at increasing, consolidating and
strengthening the democratic system, by means
of Political and Institutional Modernization. On
November 4th 2004, the Reform was approved
by Governmental Accord No.346-2004, where
the basic COPRE work areas and powers are
defined.
The basic work areas will be: formulation of
policies and strategies, as well as execution of
plans, programs and actions necessary for the
implementation of the electronic Government in the
country, promotion of consensus and coordination
of those actions with all the institutions of the
executive body. Electronic Government should
be understood as the application of information
and communication technologies, with the
A national information policy is the coordination of public action for the design of a strategy geared towards development and use or resources,
services and information systems.
35
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
49
purpose of attaining efficiency and transparency
in government management. Its functions will be:
to formulate, execute and coordinate the policies,
plans, programs and actions for the implementation
of public services online, the reduction of the digital
divide, the creation of a geographical information
system for the country, the connection of technology
to development and the promotion of civil society
intervention and consensus regarding electronic
Government;
Guatemala also developed a few plans and
programs to promote and frame the ICTs thematic,
some of which are:
hh National Science, Technology and Innovation
Plan (2005-2014).
hh National Competitiveness Plan (2005-2015).
Broadcasting and Telecommunications: Legislation
and Regulations
The broadcasting activity in Guatemala is regulated
by various norms ranging from constitutional to
regulatory levels, beginning with Article 35 of
the Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala,
amended in 1983, which legitimates the right
to information, followed by the Broadcasting
Act Decree-Law No.433-1980 of March 10th,
1966. This law regulates the aspects referring to
broadcasting and the general features and goals
of the Office of Broadcasting. On the other hand,
the Telecommunications Act: Law 94-96 of October
17, 1996, establishes the general framework
of telecommunications systems in Guatemala
and defines the features and jurisdiction of the
Superintendency of Telecommunications (SIT).
Later on, this law is amended by decrees 115-97
and 47-2002.
In Guatemala, there are the so-called Community
Radios, currently operating illegally since
they are waiting for an amendment of the
telecommunications law to allow them to operate
without having to resort to public auction.
These radios do not have the economic resources
to participate in those auctions. In the AMARC
report (see Table 19), an amendment to the law is
proposed, in order to introduce the legal concept
of obtaining the frequency through permits and not
through auction as it is currently done. Through
Governmental Accord 43-2007 of February 13,
2007, the new policy was approved, with a focus
on dissemination and raising the awareness about
the risk of illegal use of radio frequencies.
Table 23 presents a list of web pages and digital
links with more detailed/specific regulations
existing in Guatemala with regard to ICTs.
Table 23: Links related to regulations on Digital Information and Communications
hh Digital Government Plan of Action. http://lac.derechos.apc.org/es.shtml?apc=s1635500e_1
hh Legislations and the Right to Communications Program: Latin America and the Caribbean
(AMARC): Guatemala. http://legislaciones.item.org.uy/index?q=paises/28
hh National Plan of Science, Technology and Information (2005-2014). http://www.concyt.gob.gt/
attachments/207_PlanNacional%202005-2014.pdf
hh The situation in the Central American Countries. Summary of National Studies: Guatemala http://
legislaciones.item.org.uy/files/Marco%20regulatorio%20de%20Radiodifusion%20-%20Guatemala.
pdf
hh Community radio in Guatemala / Country Report: Guatemala. AMARC Global Advocacy Project
(2004-2005) http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=cache%3A93lLaC5zSlUJ%3Adocuments.amarc.
org%2Fgetfile
hh Guatemala: ¿Una economía al servicio del desarrollo humano?: Human Development National
Report 2007-2008. http://www.desarrollohumano.org.gt/
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
50
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
Disaster risk management: legislation and
regulations
The National Coordination for Disaster Reduction
of Guatemala (CONRED) was created by DecreeLaw No.109-96, on November 7, 1966 and
regulated by Governmental Accord 443-2000, of
September 12, 2000. It is the institution responsible
for coordinating all matters related to disaster
prevention, reduction and response, creating
emergency plans according to the occurrence and
presence of natural phenomena and designing
and implementing early warning systems. It brings
together various sectors, namely: Ministry of
Health, Education, Finances, Communications,
Government, Fire Department and Coordinating
Committee of Agricultural Associations.
This same law in chapter III, article 22 creates the
National Emergency Operations Center (COE)
as an operating system. The national COE is the
first one in the Central American and Caribbean
region, to complete its organization, training and
equipment. Under this legislation, in addition to
the Public Order Act, Decree No.7 of December 9,
1975, CONRED developed the National Response
Plan.
hh Decree-Law No.109-96. http://www.conred.
gob.gt/biblioteca/documentos/Decreto%20
Legislativo%201096.%20%20Ley%20de%20
CONRED.pdf/view
hh Governmental Accord 443-2000. h ttp://www.
disaster-info.net/PED-Sudamerica/leyes/
leyes/centroamerica/guatemala/sistemnac/
Acuerdo_Gubernativo_443.pdf
hh Public Order Act. http://www.mintrabajo.gob.gt/
org/leyes-y-convenios/leyes-constitucionales/
ley-de-orden-publico
Due to the fact that CONRED is a system organized
in the national, regional, departmental, municipal
and local areas, it is largely complemented by the
National Systems on Urban and Rural Development
Councils (Decree 11-2002), providing the basis
for a decentralized integrated task, in the same
territorial space. The latter is in full agreement with
the Decentralization Law and Policy (Decree 142002), which gives priority to human security as
necessary to development. Moreover, there is a
Social Development Act (Decree 42-2001), which
promotes inter-institutional participation as well,
in addition to the fact that its policy indicates the
need to study the population at-risk, as well as
encourage social protection measures in case of
disasters.
hh General Decentralization Law: Law No.142002, giving priority to human security,
necessary for development.
http://www.
iica.org.gt/agrileyes/2002/decretos/
abril/11.04.02_14_2002.pdf
hh Social Development Act: Law No.42-2001.
http://www.mintrabajo.gob.gt:8080/org/
leyes-y-convenios/leyes-ordinarias/ley-dedesarrollo-social
With the objective of encouraging the
deconcentration and decentralization of disaster
risk reduction management, CONRED created a
Strategic Institutional Plan 2004-2008, projected
into 2012. Since 2004 the CONRED Secretariat
has carried out actions leading to the prevention
and mitigation of the effects of disasters to the
Guatemalan population. It has also promoted the
introduction of Management Sectorial Units for
Disaster Risk Reduction (USGRD).
With a view to reducing vulnerabilities and
the impact of disasters, some public sector
institutions, NGOs, CONRED, National Institute
of Seismology, Volcanologist, Hydrology and
Meteorology (INSIVUMEH), Ministry of Agriculture
and Food (MAGA), Secretariat Planning and
Programming (SEGEPLAN), the Geological
Service of the United States (USGS) and others
have developed a Geographic Information System
(GIS), as an instrument to consolidate information
management strategy.
Even though CONRED is a focal point for the
implementation of the Hyogo Framework for
Action in Guatemala (for more information visit the
following link: http://www.conred.gob.gt/biblioteca/
documentos), there is no National Platform for
Disaster Risk Reduction.
In addition to the more specific ICT regulatory
framework, some progress has been made
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
51
by Guatemala with regard to regulations and
institutional frameworks related to disaster risk
reduction. In emergencies, Guatemala also works
with SUMA: PAHO/WHO Humanitarian Supply
Management System, an information management
tool to help national authorities bring order to
the usual chaos caused when humanitarian
assistance is uncoordinated. SUMA employs an
easy-to-use computerized system to track items
from the moment they are distributed effectively to
the affected population36.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
and four other United Nations agencies have just
completed the first development phase of a new
Logistic Support System (LSS), based on the
PAHO SUMA system to manage humanitarian
resources following disasters. Both LSS and
SUMA are systems based on software programs
which help the response teams to consolidate
and exchange information, improve operational
transparency, register and monitor the distribution
of undocumented elements, especially donations
not specifically requested.
Relevant regulations by sector
On July 18th, 1991, the Law on the Promotion of the
National Scientific and Technological Development
which aims at creating a general framework for the
promotion, organization and orientation of scientific
and technological activities, in order to promote their
creation, dissemination, transfer and utilization. In
addition to the foregoing, there are regulations and
guidelines developed in the country with regard
to different areas of the public and private fields
which can also be considered strategic for ICTs
when applied to disaster mitigation, either by those
involved or by the space created for the possible
use of these technologies in risk management by
sector.
Significantly, there is a fairly developed set of
norms for the health sector in the chapter on
Guatemala: Compilation of Regulations on Health
and Disasters: Latin America developed by the
PAHO.37
Likewise, other legal and regulatory frameworks
for sectors such as Environment and Water and
Sanitation, which, being critical sectors both for
development in general and for risk reduction
management, can find the appropriate space to
promote the application of ICTs within that context.
Table 24 includes links to the most relevant laws
for those sectors in Guatemala.
36
For more information on SUMA, please visit: (http://www.disaster-info.net/SUMA/spanish/index.htm, and see also the Report on the activities
in the emergency of Hurricane Stan: http://www.lssweb.info/lss//files/guatemala_stan_informe_final.pdf
37
For more information please visit: http://www.disaster-info.net/PED-Sudamerica/leyes/vgpccd.html
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
52
Table 24: Legislation in critical sectors for disaster mitigation
Environment: Legislation and Regulations
Protection and Improvement of the Environment Act
http://www.ccad.ws/documentos/legislacion/GT/DL-68-86.pdf
Strategic Institutional Plan of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources: 2008-2012
http://www.marn.gob.gt/documentos/documentos_apoyo/pei.pdf
More detailed/specific norms on the environment can be found in the following web pages:
hh http://www.ccad.ws/legislacion/Guatemala.html
hh http://www.latinlaws.com/legislacion/modules/mylinks/viewcat.php?cid=172
Water and Sanitation: Legislation and Regulations
Law on Water: Even though this law was widely accepted in August 2005, the initiative has not been
passed by Congress yet.
Plan of action for the integrated water management in the Central American Isthmus .
http://www.ccad.ws/documentos/pacadirh/PACADIRH.pdf
Municipal water and sanitation manual for emergencies or disasters/ CONRED.
http://www.conred.gob.gt/biblioteca/documentos/Manual%20municipal%20de%20agua%20y%20
saneamiento%20en%20emergencias%20o%20desastres.pdf/view
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
53
BIBLIOGRAPHY
hh PAHO/WHO. Area of preparedness for
situations of emergency and relief in case of
disasters, country profiles: Guatemala. http://
www.disaster-info.net/PED-Centroamerica/
index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcat
egory&id=68&Itemid=241
hh Compilation of Regulations on Health and
Disasters: Latin America: OPS/OMS. http://
www.disaster-info.net/PED-Sudamerica/leyes/
vgpccd.html
hh International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
(UNISDR) The Americas. Country profiles:
Guatemala.
http://www.eird.org/perfilespaises/perfiles/index.php/Guatemala
hh The situation in the Central American
Countries. Summary of National Studies:
Guatemala.
http://legislaciones.item.org.
uy/files/Marco%20regulatorio%20de%20
Radiodifusion%20-%20Guatemala.pdf
hh The Global Information Technology Report
2008–2009: Mobility in a Networked World.
h t t p : / / w w w. w e f o r u m . o r g / p d f / g i t r / 2 0 0 9 /
gitr09fullreport.pdf
hh Legislation and the Right to Communication
Program: Latin America and the Caribbean
(AMARC): Guatemala. http://legislaciones.
item.org.uy/index?q=paises/28
hh National Plan of Science, Technology and
Information (2005-2014). http://www.concyt.
gob.gt/attachments/207_PlanNacional%20
2005-2014.pdf
hh Community radio in Guatemala / Country
Report: Guatemala. AMARC Global Advocacy
Project (2004-2005). http://docs.google.com/
gview?a=v&q=cache%3A93lLaC5zSlUJ%3Ad
ocuments.amarc.org%2Fgetfile
hh Guatemala: ¿Una economía al servicio del
desarrollo humano? [An economy at the service
of human development?] National Human
Development Reports 2007-2008. http://www.
desarrollohumano.org.gt/
hh Decree-Law No.109-96. http://www.conred.
gob.gt/biblioteca/documentos/Decreto%20
Legislativo%201096.%20%20Ley%20de%20
CONRED.pdf/view
hh Global Competitiveness Index 2008-2009:
World Economic Forum. http://72.52.156.225/
Estudio.aspx?Estudio=indice-competitividad
hh Governmental Accord 443-2000. h ttp://www.
disaster-info.net/PED-Sudamerica/leyes/
leyes/centroamerica/guatemala/sistemnac/
Acuerdo_Gubernativo_443.pdf
hh Strategic communication plans for risk
management.
http://www.comminit.com/
es/node/285824/549#
hh Public Order Act. http://www.mintrabajo.gob.gt/
org/leyes-y-convenios/leyes-constitucionales/
ley-de-orden-publico
hh Hurricane Mitch in Guatemala /PAHOMH.
http://www.paho.org/Spanish/Ped/gmguatemala.pdf
hh National Systems on Urban and Rural
Development Councils: Decree No.11-2002.
http://sistemas.segeplan.gob.gt/discode/
sche$portal/documentos/ley_concejos_
desarrollo_guatemala.pdf
hh USAID responds to the Stan disaster. http://
www.usaid.gov/gt/espanol/disaster.htm
hh Santa María Volcano. http://es.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Santa_Mar%C3%ADa_(volc%C3%A1n)
hh Testimonies of parties: the Guatemala
earthquake of 1976. http://www.crid.or.cr/
digitalizacion/pdf/spa/doc6785/doc6785.htm
hh Plan of Action – Digital Government. http://lac.
derechos.apc.org/es.shtml?apc=s1635500e_1
hh General Decentralization Law: Law No.142002.
http://www.iica.org.gt/agrileyes/2002/
decretos/abril/11.04.02_14_2002.pdf
hh Social Development Act: Law No.42-2001.
http://www.mintrabajo.gob.gt:8080/org/
leyes-y-convenios/leyes-ordinarias/ley-dedesarrollo-social
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
54
hh National Coordination for Disaster Reduction
of Guatemala (CONRED). http://www.conred.
gob.gt/biblioteca/documentos
hh SUMA: Humanitarian Supply Management
System. http://www.disaster-info.net/SUMA/
spanish/index.htm
hh National Education Act: Legislative Decree
No.12-91 of January 12, 1991 http://www.
oei.es/quipu/guatemala/Ley_Educacion_
Nacional.pdf
hh National Educational Systems / OEI. http://
www.oei.es/quipu/guatemala/index.html
hh Protection and Improvement of the Environment
A c t : h t t p : / / w w w. c c a d . w s / d o c u m e n t o s /
legislacion/GT/DL-68-86.pdf
hh Strategic Institutional Plan of the Ministry of the
Environment and Natural Resources: 20082012http://www.marn.gob.gt/documentos/
documentos_apoyo/pei.pdf
hh Legislation and politics. http://www.ccad.ws/
legislacion/Guatemala.html
hh Latin Laws. Biblioteca Legal Latinoamericana.
http://www.latinlaws.com/legislacion/modules/
mylinks/viewcat.php?cid=172
hh Action Plan for Integrated Water Resources
Management of the Central American Isthmus.
http://www.ccad.ws/documentos/pacadirh/
PACADIRH.pdf
hh Municipal water and sanitation manual
for emergencies or disasters / CONRED.
h t t p : / / w w w. c o n r e d . g o b . g t / b i b l i o t e c a /
documentos/Manual%20municipal%20de%20
a g u a % 2 0 y% 2 0 s a n e a mie n to % 2 0 en % 2 0
emergencias%20o%20desastres.pdf/view
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
55
NICARAGUA38
Capital: Managua
Population: 5.6 million
Area: 120,339 km2
Population density: 42.7 h/km2
Urban population: 59%
Demographic growth rate: 1.7
Currency: El Córdoba
Language: Spanish
DATOS GENERALES:
The Republic of Nicaragua is located in the
Central American Isthmus, bordering to the north
with Honduras and to the south with Costa Rica, to
the east with the Caribbean Sea and to the west
with the Pacific Ocean. Its total territorial area is
120,339 km2, with a population of 5.6 million39.
The territory is divided in 15 departments, two
autonomous regions and 153 municipalities (see
Table 25).
Table 25: Administrative Division40
Department
Capital
Area (km2)
Boaco
Boaco
4.176,68
Estimated
population
150.636
Carazo
Jinotepe
1.081,40
166.073
Chinandega
4.822,42
378.97
Chontales
Juigalpa
6.481,27
153.932
Estelí
Granada
Estelí
Granada
2.229,69
1.039,68
201.548
168.186
Jinotega
Jinotega
9.222,40
331.335
León
5.138,03
355.779
Somoto
1.708,23
132.459
Managua
3.465,10
1.262.978
610,78
289.988
Matagalpa
6.803,86
469.172
Ocotal
3.491,28
208.523
San Carlos
Rivas
Puerto Cabezas
Bluefields
7.540,90
2.161,82
33.105,98
27.260,02
95.596
156.283
314.13
306.51
Chinandega
León
Madriz
Managua
Masaya
Matagalpa
Nueva Segovia
Río San Juan
Rivas
RAAN (1)
RAAS (2)
Masaya
The UNISDR Americas has developed country profiles with specific information on all aspects of risk reduction, including national counterparts,
regulatory frameworks, projects and initiatives on risk management in the country at hand. For a more detailed information please visit Nicaragua
Country Profile at the following web //www.eird.org/wikiesp/index.php/Nicaragua
39
The Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009
40
http://www.inec.go.cr / 1) North Atlantic Autonomous Region; (2) South Atlantic Autonomous Region
38
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
56
The climate of this country varies greatly from one
coast to the other, and there are three types of
climate according to the region we are referring
to:
hh The area located between the Nicaragua and
Managua lakes and the Pacific Ocean is usually
very dry, with little rain and temperatures ranging
from 27°C to 32°C during the summer;
hh The Nicaraguan central and mountain areas
have a cold and humid climate, particularly in
the east; and
hh In the Caribbean coast the climate is very
humid and tropical, with high temperatures
and strong precipitation.
RISK SITUATION AND FREQUENT
HAZARDS
Nicaragua is the largest and poorest country in
Central America, with a long history of unequal
distribution of land, internal conflict and political
instability. Due to its geographical location,
Nicaragua is subject to multiple hazards which can
unleash emergencies and result in disasters when
they co-occur in time and space with vulnerable
segments of the population.
From 1892 to 1998, thirty nine (39) severe
meteorological
phenomena
developed
in
the Caribbean Sea and affected the country;
namely, tropical depressions, tropical storms and
hurricanes. The capital, Managua, is the city with
a higher risk of seismic hazards, due to its location
on a volcanic mountain range that changes track,
and because the interaction of tectonic forces is
more complex than in other areas. During the past
thirty years, seven important hurricanes and five
tropical storms have impacted the country.
Following is a brief description of the main natural
and man-made hazards related to the occurrence
of emergencies and disasters in the Nicaraguan
territory.
Natural hazards
Nicaragua is located at the edge of a subduction
zone of two tectonic plates (Cocos and Caribe),
belonging, therefore, to the so-called “ring of fire”
around the Pacific Ocean, in an area which is one
of the most prone to natural hazards in the world. It
has active volcanoes and it has been often struck
by earthquakes, hurricanes and eruptions. The
most active seismic area runs along the Pacific
plate, so that the greatest threat is in the Pacific
coast, gradually declining towards the Atlantic
Ocean. Due to the high population density, seismic
risk in this area presents a greater risk. Managua,
Nicaragua´s capital, is directly located on the axis
of the volcanic chain, having been twice this century
the site of devastating earthquakes. Managua is
the only municipality in the whole country with level
10 in the scale of seismic risk, because it sits on a
volcanic range and because of its unique tectonic
location. The same scale applies to volcanic
eruptions. Regarding hurricanes it ranks 8 in the
scale and 7 for floods risk.
The main areas where seismic activity is
present in Nicaragua are: Madriz, Matagalpa,
Boaco, Jinotega, Chontales and Rio San Juan,
Chinandega, Managua, León, Masaya, Carazo,
Rivas and Granada, Nueva Segovia, Estelí. Some
of the cities directly located on the most dangerous
seismic zone are: Chinandega, Managua, León,
Masaya, Carazo, Rivas and Granada. There are
six active volcanic systems in the country, namely,
San Cristóbal, Telica, Cerro Negro, Momotombo,
Masaya and Concepción, and they pose a
permanent threat to the population of Nicaragua in
the Pacific zone.
Extreme climatological events in the country
include floods, droughts, tropical cyclones, etc.
Frequent floods and landslides are caused by the
country´s water systems and highlands. El Niño
exacerbates these hazards with more rainfall
and droughts, wildfires, landslides and floods.
Although these events do not occur frequently,
their intensity can be devastating as registered in
the annals of history. The hurricanes of greatest
intensity so far experienced in Nicaragua have
been: Fifi (September 1974), Joan (October 1988),
Mitch (October 1998) and Felix (September 2007).
Some of the emergencies and disasters of greater
magnitude that affected Nicaragua in recent history
are detailed in Table 26.
Even though the events are caused by natural
phenomena, the losses they entail are, mostly,
consequences of human activity or inactivity. One
of the key challenges for Nicaragua´s development
is to reduce its vulnerability with regard to the
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
57
Table 26: Emergencies and disasters related to natural hazards
Hurricane Mitch (1998): Hurricane Mitch caused at least 3,800 deaths in Nicaragua, 2,000 of which occurred in
the villages of El Porvenir and Rolando Rodríguez, due a landslide of the Casita Volcano. The avalanche buried
at least four villages under several meters of mud. All along the country the hurricane left between 500,000 y
800,000 people homeless.http://www.paho.org/spanish/dd/ped/gm-nicaragua.pdf
Floods (1982): Torrential rainfall lasted for almost ten days, leaving a balance of approximately 30 deaths and
extensive material damages mainly due to the agricultural resources and the economic and social infrastructure.
The considerable magnitude of the damages caused by the rain and the subsequent floods was due mainly to the
vast extension covered and particularly, to the fact that it happened at a time when the country was expending
significant efforts to recover from the two previous disasters. http://cidbimena.desastres.hn/docum/crid/
Octubre2004/pdf/spa/doc9029/doc9029-1.pdf
Cerro Negro Volcano (1992): The Cerro Negro volcano is the youngest in the continent, making it more active
and dangerous. On April 9, one of the most violent eruptions in the history of the Cerro Negro volcano took place.
Since there was no seismic network at the time, INETER was not able to send a warning message. But we know
there was some seismic activity before the eruption. The local population felt them a week before. The estimated
number of affected people is 263,240 in the Department of León. This volcano erupted in 1999 for the last time.
http://desastres.usac.edu.gt/documentos/pdf/spa/doc2019/doc2019-contenido.pdf
Seaquake and Tsunami in the Pacific Ocean (1992): In September 1992, in the Pacific Ocean, one of the
biggest earthquakes ever in Nicaragua, took place, with a magnitude of 7.3 in the Richter scale and caused a
tsunami which swept away resorts and entire villages along the Nicaraguan Pacific Coast, causing widespread
material damage and loss of human lives. http://www.crid.or.cr/digitalizacion/pdf/spa/doc6895/doc6895-contenido.
pdf
Managua earthquake (1972): One of the worst earthquake disasters of the year and the most lethal registered in
the western hemisphere above South America, happened on December 23, when a huge shock destroyed most
of the capital city of Nicaragua, Managua. http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terremoto_de_Managua_de_1972
impact inflicted by hazards and the potential
losses that may come as a result. Like the rest of
the countries in the area, economic unbalances,
poverty and the non-rational exploitation of human
resources increase vulnerability and therefore, the
risk of disasters.
Man- made hazards
Nicaragua, like some of the other Central American
countries, is experiencing the pollution caused by
organic waste and sewage. Contrary to what most
people think, environmental pollution has not been
caused by industries alone; in fact, the greatest
numbers of pollutants are the sum of thousands of
small landfills which feed on the residential waste.
Inadequately maintained industrial or technological
systems, such as gasoline stations or deposits of
fuel or toxic substances, also pose serious threats
to the population. Transportation of hazardous
materials has also been identified as causing this
kind of disaster. Sometimes there can be alterations
in the water reservoirs as well as inadequate
drinking water treatment. Illegal or inadequate
electrical connections are also commonplace.
Regarding Nicaragua´s war conflict, there is still
investment in demining the territories which used
to be the scenario of a war in the eighties. Table
27 lists some of the main emergencies related to
man-made hazards.
Technological Infrastructure
and Support
The
national
telecommunications
network
is essentially concentrated in the strip along
the Pacific coast, with extensive areas with
low population density lacking adequate
telecommunications infrastructure. In general,
the capacity of national broadcasting networks is
limited and insufficient to satisfy the demand of the
telecommunications services; thus, it is necessary
to expand these services to the large northern area
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
58
Table 27: Recent emergencies and man-made disasters
Some man-made emergencies were:
Dengue epidemic in Nicaragua: (October 2002).
http://db.doyma.es/cgi-bin/wdbcgi.exe/doyma/press.plantilla?ident=22864
Massive intoxication by methanol in Nicaragua: (September 2006)
http://www.paho.org/spanish/DD/PED/nicaraguaMetanol.htm
Plague of hydrocarbon spill: (September 2007)
http://impreso.elnuevodiario.com.ni/2007/09/03/nacionales/57942
Tractor breaks an oil pipeline: (November 2007)
http://impreso.elnuevodiario.com.ni/2007/11/19/nacionales/64210
Spill of dangerous toxics on the road: (May 2009)
http://impreso.elnuevodiario.com.ni/2009/05/15/nacionales/101571
and eastern part of the country, where there are no
telecommunications services whatsoever.
telecommunications and postal services or use
radio spectrum frequencies41.
On the other hand, there is a relatively large
network of bi-directional fibre optic for cable TV
which offers capacity to Internet Service (PSIs)
providers and Internet corporate clients. 2.8% of
the population uses Internet, the majority being
residents of the capital, Managua. 80% of the
users subscribe to broadband. About 4% of the
population has personal computers and 60% of
household have television sets (see Table 24).
In terms of satellite technology, Nicaragua shows
leadership precisely in fields related to Earth
Science with concrete application to disaster
risk management. In particular, the Nicaraguan
Institute on Territorial Studies (INETER) has been
applying for some years now, space technology
provided by various satellites, to their technical
and scientific activities to address the social and
economic development of the country and the
prevention and mitigation of natural hazards. Also,
since 1995, the Ministry of the Environment and
Natural Resources (MARENA, by its Spanish
acronym) uses space technology to detect forest
fires (See Table 28).
The Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications
and Postal Services (TELCOR) is the regulatory
agency for telecommunications and postal
services. It is a national institution with the
following responsibilities: regulation, technical
planning, supervision, application of the law,
monitoring of compliance with the laws and
rules governing the installation, interconnection,
operation and provision of telecommunication
and postal services. TELCOR is responsible
for the management and regulation of the RF
spectrum, as well as the granting of concessions,
licenses, permits or registration certificates
(according to the law and all other applicable legal
provisions) to companies interested in providing
41
TELCOR electronic portal http://www.telcor.gob.ni/Default.asp
Access to telephone lines is essentially limited
to densely populated areas in the strip along the
Pacific coast and 4.5% of the population has
access to their own telephone line (see Table
29). Nicaragua has 68 GSM new bases and 12
new CDMA, a total of 48 base stations, bringing
coverage for mobile telephone services to 70% of
the population, but only 38% of the population has
access to this technology. Nicaragua was the site
for the commercial launch of the satellite telephone
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
59
service in the region, with the opening of an earth
station in the country (Gateway Globalstar, S.A.),
by the multinational communications company
Globalstar, to provide services for the whole Central
American region. Even though this technology
was a viable option to provide communication to
the vast areas of the country, according to sources
it was reported that already in 2001 this initiative
was not producing the expected dividends in the
country due to the limited number of subscribers42.
Table 28: Background on the applications of satellite technology with regard to risk management in
Nicaragua
With the launch of the LANDSAT 1 satellite in 1972, the old National Geographic Institute began using imaging in
the production of small scale maps.
(1:1.000.000). More information was obtained after the launch of LANDSAT 2 in 1975. In 1978, in cooperation
with the US Geological Survey, a Central American regional mosaic of LANDSAT images was prepared with the
participation of the countries of the area. The map was printed at the National Geographic Institute of Guatemala.
From 1975 until 1981, with the cooperation of IAGS-EROSINFORMATION and DISTRIBUTION CENTER,
Nicaragua received information from the EROS program (Earth Resources Observation System Program), very
useful for surveying work. In 1994, the global positioning system equipment operating under the Navigation
Satellite Timing and Ranging Global Position System (NAVSTAR GPS) was used for the first time. In 1999, there
were already 12 GPS observation equipments. That same year, in cooperation with NOAA (National Oceanic
& Atmospheric Administration), the program HORIZONTAL & ELLIPSOID HEIGHT DATUM DEFINITION was
implemented, with the establishing of the Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS).
In 1993, INETER started using the Geostationary Weather Satellite GOES 8 on a permanent basis, and later on,
beginning in 1997, the French satellites SPOT 1, SPOT 2 and SPOT 4. The information provided by the GOES
8 satellite is essential in order to issue early warnings in case of potentially harming meteorological events, as
evidence showed at the time of Hurricane Mitch. INTELSAT 325.5 is another satellite used by INETER, which
provides basic meteorological information used for weather forecast for the general public, for the agricultural
sector, for the fishing sector and for the national and international air force. Furthermore, INETER receives
additional information, such as, weather forecasts from NOAA on significant weather conditions, reports from the
National Hurricane Center in Miami on dangerous meteorological events and information on the occurrence of
tsunamis.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA, by its Spanish acronym), through the Forest Fire
Control Project uses high resolution images from NOAA 12 and 14 polar orbiting satellites. These images allow
the detection and location of wildfires in the national territory. In June 1995, the Natural Resources and Fires
Monitoring Project in Nicaragua (NOAA Project) established its base in MARENA through funding from the British
Government and the assistance of the Natural Resource Institute (NRI). This project’s main objective was to
develop, through satellite remote sensing, a tool which would allow this Ministry to produce relevant information on
various events that affect our natural resources, independently and in real time.
INETER also uses satellite technology for the monitoring of geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions and landslides. For volcanic surveillance, routine infrared imaging is used from the NOAA 12 and NOAA
14 satellites, so as to identify thermal anomalies which could be an indication of a volcanic eruption. The eruption
process is monitored through satellite pictures, and the impact is studied through volcanic ashes. For example, the
gas issued by the Massaya volcano can also be seen on satellite pictures.
Source: Based on the article from the magazine: Mapping Interactivo, “Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Espacial en
Nicaragua”, entrevista el Director del INETER, 1999 (http://www.mappinginteractivo.com/plantilla-ante.asp?id_
articulo=585)
42
See article published by the newspaper La Prensa (http://www.laprensa.com.ni/archivo/2001/
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
60
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
Table 29:
Indicator
1995
2000
2007
Cellular subscribers
0.10%
1.80%
37.90%
Internet users
0.03%
1.00%
2.80%
Personal computers
1.03%
2.30%
4.00%
Fixed-line telephony
2.22%
3.20%
4.50%
One of the areas in the public sector with a
management system designed with cuttingedge technology geared towards Internet is the
Integrated Financial Management and Audit
System (SIGFA). This management system
allows for the registration, monitoring, followup, evaluation, regulatory centralization and
operational deconcentration of the budget
execution43.
INSTITUTIONAL AND REGULATORY
FRAMEWORKS
National Information
regulations 44
Policy:
Legislation
and
The Nicaraguan government is aware of the
potential of ICTs as tools for development, and
has, therefore, initiated ICTs projects in several
sectors, financed mostly through donations and
loans from international development agencies.
The Nicaraguan Council on Science and
Technology (CONICYT by its Spanish acronym)
was created through Decree No. 5-95 of June
29, 1995 and amended by Decree No.14-2002,
of February 11, 2002. It has administrative and
operative autonomy, of scientific-technical nature
and indefinite life span. It is made up of several
sectors: government, civil society, and academic
and production sectors. Currently, it is an agency
of the National Education Council by Law No.
582, Article 80. Its main goals are to coordinate,
administer and promote the National Science,
Technology and Innovation System (SINACYT,
by its Spanish acronym) that will be created with
future passage of the Science, Technology and
Information Draft Bill. This Draft Bill was presented
in January 2009, with the purpose of creating the
legal framework necessary for the creation of the
Council and to allow the creation of a National Plan
of Science and Technology. This new law would
facilitate scientific research and technological
innovation to be applied to various sectors of the
Nicaraguan society.
Also, through CONICYT, The National Strategic
Plan - ALFA – is being developed, with the purpose
of strengthening government institutions. The
development of ICTs policies is intended to take
place within the framework of the plan, so as to
include the formulation of norms and patterns,
and new laws concerning: electronic signatures,
software copyrights, confidentiality, integrity
and protection of data registry, etc. Also, laws
and regulations on telecommunications will be
revised.
The Organic Law of the Nicaraguan Institute
of Territorial Studies (INETER), Law No.311 of
June 24, 1999, is an important legal tool for the
creation of the Geographic Information System
(GIS) and management of basic information in
the country. One of the most significant aspects of
this organic law is the development of a National
Digital Cartographic System, the promotion
and coordination of inter-sectorial relations and
technology of GISs, the maintenance of Property
Registry and Cadastre National System and
the use of GIS for information management on
meteorology, hydrography, natural threats and
territorial legislation.
For more information please visit the electronic portal: www.hacienda.gob.ni/hacienda/dr_sigfa_esigfa.jsp
A national information policy is the coordination of actions at the national level for the creation of a strategy to address development, use of
resources, services and information systems
43
44
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
61
Nicaragua has also developed many relevant
plans and programs to promote and formulate the
subject matter of ICTs; among them:
hh Profile of the Science, Technology and
Innovation Strategic Plan (2006-2014);
hh PROCIG Nicaragua: Central American
Geographic Information Project; and
hh Electronic Government Plan (2009).
Broadcasting and Telecommunications: Legislation
and Regulations
Radio broadcasting in Nicaragua is regulated
by various norms ranging from constitutional
to regulatory levels with several international
instruments in between. All of these regulations
constitute a legal bloc which functions as a
regulatory framework for radio broadcasting.
It is worth mentioning the General Law on
Telecommunications and Postal Services: Law
No.200 of July 21, 1995, and its Amendment,
Law 326 of December 7, 1999. Also, the Law of
Superintendency of Public Services, Law No. 511 of
February 24, 2005, which revoked the Organic Law
of the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications
and Postal Services (TELCOR) and its Regulations
Decree No. 2-96, replaced by Decree No.128 of
November 19, 2004. This law is complemented with
the new Organic Law on the Nicaraguan Institute
of Energy: Law No. 271 of March 3, 1998.
It is also important to highlight the Rural
Telecommunications Project, which is being
developed by TELCOR with funds donated by
the World Bank and aims mainly at fostering
competition in this sector and to bring telephone
services to remote areas, lowering the cost and
connecting rural communities to the world. Table
24 presents a list of web pages and digital links
where there is more detailed/specific information
related to ICTs in Nicaragua.
Disaster Risk Management: Legislation and
Regulations
In addition to the more specific regulatory framework
on ICTs, Nicaragua has institutional and regulatory
frameworks related to disaster risk management.
45
As a result of Hurricane Mitch and its devastating
effects in Nicaragua, the Government, with the
support of the United Nations Development Program
(UNDP), designed a system sanctioned by Law
337-2000 of March 8, 2000. The task of creating a
Disaster Operations Center (CODE), was assigned
to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, establishing that such
Center will have the means to fulfill the functions as
assigned by the National System for the Prevention,
Mitigation and Attention of Disasters (SINAPRED),
which has a set of General Regulations (Decree 532000), and a manual where the functions of each
member of the system are specified (Decree 982000), making a significant step in the treatment of
disasters.
SINAPRED has been identified as the National
Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and it is the
focal point for the implementation of the Hyogo
Framework for Action in Nicaragua.
In emergencies, Nicaragua also works with SUMA:
PAHO/WHO System for Humanitarian Supply
Management: an information management tool
which employs an easy- to-use computerized system
in order to track the items from the moment they are
effectively distributed to the affected population45.
Relevant regulations by sectors
It is equally important to highlight the National Plan
for Disaster Response in Nicaragua (PNRDN): it
provides a framework for the actions to be taken
at the national level in case of an emergency or
disaster. The Plan describes the mechanism that
the Government has to use to mobilize institutional
resources. (http://www.crid.or.cr/digitalizacion/pdf/
spa/doc15470/doc15470.htm).
There is also a Municipal Plan for Disaster Reduction
(PMRD) which describes the actions necessary to
reduce risks in the presence of identified hazards.
(http://www.crid.or.cr/digitalizacion/pdf/spa/
doc15496/doc15496-a.pdf).
Taking into account the Central American region,
there are several Regional Plans for Disaster Risk
Reduction that can be accessed at the following
web
page:
(http://www.disaster-info.net/PEDCentroamerica/index.php?option=com_content&ta
sk=view&id=47&Itemid=184).
For more information on SUMA, please visit the following link: http://www.disaster-info.net/SUMA/spanish/index.htm
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
62
Table 30: Links related to regulations on digital information and telecommunications
hh Internet: Domain Names Center. Nicaragua: http://www.latinlaws.com/legislacion/modules/mylinks/viewcat.
php?cid=407
hh Superintendency of Public Services Act: http://legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni/Normaweb.nsf/($All)/DCAE361D0
9DFA90C062570A100583D12?OpenDocument
hh General Telecommunications and Postal Services Act: http://legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni/Normaweb.nsf/($All)
/7CE6A7BD73C1E32D062570A10058026A?OpenDocument
hh Telephone Service and telex regulations: http://legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni/Normaweb.nsf/
d0c69e2c91d9955906256a400077164a/a627978b14bd82d7062570a10057c5f9?OpenDocument
hh Organic Law of the Nicaraguan Energy Institute (INE) http://legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni/Normaweb.nsf/($All)/
DF81A795F789FBF4062570A100577787?OpenDocument
hh The situation in the Central American countries: summary of national reports: Nicaragua http://legislaciones.
item.org.uy/files/Marco%20regulatorio%20de%20Radiodifusion%20-%20Nicaragua.pdf
hh Legislation and the Right to Communication Program: Latin America and the Caribbean (AMARC) http://
legislaciones.item.org.uy/index?q=paises/38
hh Science, Technology and Innovation Draft Bill http://www.enlaceacademico.org/uploads/media/
LeyGeneraldeCYT13_enero.pdf
hh Profile of the National Strategic Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation (2006-2014) http://unpan1.
un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/ICAP/UNPAN029747.pdf
hh PROCIG Nicaragua: Central American Geographic Information Project http://www.procig.org/esp/procignicaragua.htm
hh Legal Framework of CONICYT: http://www.oei.es/guiaciencia/Nicaragua.pdf http://legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni/
Normaweb.nsf/($All)/8C66DAEA44CD9ABD062570F900595064?OpenDocument
hh National Telecommunications Plan of Nicaragua http://www.iadb.org/projects/project.
cfm?id=TC7205017&lang=es
hh Electronic Government Plan (2009) http://www.gobiernoelectronico.org/node/212
In addition to the above, there are regulations and
guidelines developed in the country with regard to
different sectors of the public and private arenas,
which could be considered strategic when applied
to ICTs for disaster mitigation, either by those
involved or by the spaces created for the potential
use of those technologies in risk management
by sector. In this respect, there are health sector
regulations quite developed included in the
chapter on Nicaragua: ¨Compilation of regulations
on Health and Disasters: Latin America developed
by the PAHO¨46.
46
Likewise, other legal/regulatory frameworks for
sectors such as Environment and Water and
Sanitation, which because they are critical sectors
both for development in general and for risk
reduction management, can find an appropriate
space to encourage the application of ICTs within
that context. Table 31 includes the links to the
more relevant laws related to those sectors in
Nicaragua.
The following webpage provides
information on legislation regarding education in
Nicaragua:
(http://www.oei.es/quipu/nicaragua/
index.html#sis2).
For more detailed information please visit: http://www.disaster-info.net/PED-Sudamerica/leyes/vgpccd.html.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
63
Table 31: Legislation in critical sectors for disaster mitigation
Environment: Legislation and regulations
hh General Law on the Environment and Human Resources: Law no. 217 passed on March 17, 1966 (http://
www.ccad.ws/documentos/legislacion/NC/L-217.pdf)
hh Gradual Integral Plan for the Reduction of Industrial Contamination: Ministerial Resolution 04-2000 http://
legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni/Normaweb.nsf/($All)/BD89C67796A71391062570A1005815DF?OpenDocume
nt
hh More detailed/specific regulations on the environment can be found in the following web pages:
hh http://www.latinlaws.com/legislacion/modules/mylinks/viewcat.php?cid=244
hh http://www.ccad.ws/ecoportal/legislacion/lnc.htm
Water and Sanitation: Legislation and Regulations
hh Law creating the Nicaraguan Enterprise of Aqueducts and Sewers (ENACAL): Law no.276 of January 20,
1998. http://www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsacd/cd38/Nicaragua/L-276.pdf
hh General Law on Potable Water and Sewage Services: Law No.297 of July 30th, 1998. http://www.bvsde.
paho.org/bvsacd/cd38/Nicaragua/L-297.pdf
hh National General Water Law: Law No.620, of May 15, 2007. http://www.cedha.org.ar/es/iniciativas/derecho_
al_agua/contenido/legislacion/internacional/ley_620.pdf
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
64
BIBLIOGRAPHY
hh PAHO/WHO. Area of preparedness for
situations of emergency and relief in case of
disasters, country profiles: Nicaragua. http://
www.disaster-info.net/PED-Centroamerica/
index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcat
egory&id=70&Itemid=244
hh Compilation of regulations on health and
disasters: Latin America: PAHO/WHO. http://
www.disaster-info.net/PED-Sudamerica/leyes/
vgpccd.html
hh International Strategy for Disaster Risk
Reduction (UNISDR) The Americas, Country
Profiles:
Nicaragua.http://www.eird.org/
perfiles-paises/perfiles/index.php/Nicaragua
hh Situation in the Central American countries.
Summary of national studies: Nicaragua. http://
legislaciones.item.org.uy/files/Marco%20
regulatorio%20de%20Radiodifusion%20-%20
Nicaragua.pdf
hh The Global Information Technology Report
2008–2009: Mobility in a Networked World
h t t p : / / w w w. w e f o r u m . o r g / p d f / g i t r / 2 0 0 9 /
gitr09fullreport.pdf
hh Competitiveness Global Index 2008-2009:
World Economic Forum http://72.52.156.225/
Estudio.aspx?Estudio=indice-competitividad
hh Internet Association of Nicaragua e-Nicaragua:
Goal no.18 Catástrofes: fortalecer la
interconexión regional e internacional de las
redes digitales de información para prevención
de desastres naturales considerando el
monitoreo ambiental, así como la gestión y
coordinación regional de la asistencia en caso
de ocurrencia de desastres.[ Catastrophes:
strengthen
regional
and
international
interconnection of digital information networks for
disaster prevention considering environmental
monitoring, as well as management and
regional coordination of assistance in case of
disasters]http://www.enicaragua.org.ni/cms/
downloadFileOfDirectory.do~itemId=113
hh Proyecto de Reducción de la Vulnerabilidad
ante Desastres Naturales, Reporte sobre las
Amenazas, Vulnerabilidad y Riesgos ante
Inundaciones,
Deslizamientos,
Actividad
Volcánica y Sismos: [Project on natural disaster
vulnerability reduction, and report on floods,
landslides, volcanic activity and earthquake
hazards, vulnerability and risks] CHINANDEGA,
octubre
2005.
(http://www.ineter.gob.ni/
geofisica/proyectos/30municipios/corinto/
informes/NiR%20C%20RA%20Corinto%20
20051024%20MG.pdf).
hh Risk Management National Training Program
/ SINAPRED
(http://desastres.cies.edu.
ni/documentos/doc15384/doc15384-4f.pdf).
hh Strategies of Information and Communication
Technologies / CONICYT. ( h t t p : / / u n p a n 1 .
un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/UN/
UNPAN020037.pdf).
hh Profile of the National Strategic Plan for Science,
Technology and Innovation 2006-2014.
(http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/
documents/ICAP/UNPAN029747.pdf).
hh Draft Bill on Science, Technology and Information (http://www.enlaceacademico.org/uploads/
media/LeyGeneraldeCYT13_enero.pdf)
hh Legal Framework of CONICYT, NICARAGUA.
(http://www.oei.es/guiaciencia/Nicaragua.pdf).
hh National plan for disaster response in
Nicaragua: Preliminary version. (http://www.
crid.or.cr/digitalizacion/pdf/spa/doc15470/
doc15470.htm).
hh Analysis of natural hazards and municipal plan
of disaster reduction. (http://www.crid.or.cr/
digitalizacion/pdf/spa/doc15496/doc15496.
htm).
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
65
PANAMA47
Capital: Panama
Population: 3.3 million
Area: 78,200 km2
Population density: 37.6 h/km2
Urban population: 70.8%
Demographic growth rate: 2.1
Currency: Dollar
GENERAL INFORMATION
Language Spanish
The Republic of Panama is located in the Central
American Isthmus, in the inter-tropical zone near
the terrestrial equator. It is a narrow strip of land
expanding from east to west, and a coastline bathed
by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The
country extends over an area of 78,200 km2 and
has a population of 3.3 million48. It borders the
Caribbean Sea to the north, the Pacific Ocean to
the south, the Republic of Colombia to the east
and Costa Rica to the west.
The territory is organized in nine provinces and
three districts, according to the year 2000 Census
(see Table 32)49.
Table 32: Administrative Division50
Province/District
Capital
Area (km2)
Estimated population
Bocas del Toro
8.745
89.269
Coclé
Penonomé
4.927
202.461
Colón
Colón
4.89
204.208
Chiriquí
David
8.653
368.79
Darién
La Palma
12.491
40.284
Herrera
Chitré
2.341
102.465
Las Tablas
3806
83.495
Panama City
9.814
1.388.357
Santiago de Veraguas
11.239
209.076
Bocas del Toro
Los Santos
Panama
Veraguas
Comarca Kuna Yala
----
----
32.446
Comarca Emberá
----
----
8.246
Comarca Ngöbe
----
----
110.08
UNISDR Americas has developed country profiles with specific information on all aspects of risk reduction at the national level. For more
detailed information on Panama´s profile, please visit the following webpage: http://www.eird.org/wikiesp/index.php/Panama
48
The Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009
49
Panama has a new political division which still shows the nine provinces, but including the Kunna Yala district and the districts of Ngöbe-Buglé
and Emberá-Wounnan, in addition to the kuna districts of Madungandí and Wargandí.
50
http://www.contraloria.gob.pa/dec/Aplicaciones/POBLACION_VIVIENDA/volumen1/cuadro1.htm
47
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
66
Panama´s climate is tropical and it can be divided
in two regions according to the climate: one of
them includes tropical rainy climates where the
average monthly temperature year-round is 18°C
and another one with rainy temperate climates
where the warmest average monthly temperature
is over 10°C, and the average monthly temperature
is under 18°C, but over -3°C.
According to the amount of precipitation, Panama
is divided into two regions:
Pacific region: it is characterized by abundant
rainfall, from moderate to high intensity; lightening
occurs particularly in the afternoon. The rainy
season starts firmly in May and lasts until November,
September and October being the rainiest. The dry
season lasts from December through April.
Central region: rainfall in this region occurs
generally in the afternoon. The rainfall is moderate
and heavy, along with electrical storms and wind.
Atlantic region: in this region it rains during most
of the year. Rain is very heavy between December
and February.
RISK SITUATION AND FREQUENT
HAZARDS
Even though disasters are not too frequent in
Panama, the country is considered at risk for
earthquakes with frequent hydro-meteorological
events such as floods, strong winds, tornados and
waterspouts. Floods are produced particularly in
the capital city, and the provinces of Bocas del
Toro, Darién and Colón.
Floods occur in the rainy season, which runs
from May through December and with greater
intensity in the months of September, October
and November. The prolonged rainy seasons
have produced landslides and floods with serious
economic losses, deaths and injuries, throughout
the country´s history. In 2005, floods in the area
of Tocumen produced more than 20 deaths
and considerable damages. A similar situation
occurred with the overflowing of River Sixaola.
In that respect, we can make reference to the
document drafted by ETESA in September 2008:
“Analysis of Maximum Floods in Panama: 19712006”, September 2008. (http://www.hidromet.
com.pa/sp/InicioFrm.htm).
Below there is a brief description of the main natural
and man-made hazards related to the occurrence
of emergencies and disasters in the country.
Natural hazards
Part of the Panamanian territory is vulnerable to
landslides because of its topographic, geological
and hydrological conditions, the indiscriminate
use of the soil, precipitations, seismic activity and
activities caused by disorderly housing construction
and deforestation.
Even though Panama is
located in the tropical Caribbean, it has been only
been affected by hurricane Marta (1969), since the
country is not situated on the main path of these
types of natural events.
The most serious floods registered in the country
in the past few years were caused by Hurricane
Mitch in October 1998, causing floods problems
and rivers to overflow in the provinces of Chiriquí,
Veraguas and Darién. Another hurricane close to
Panama was Hurricane Joan in 1988; the excessive
rainfall caused the rivers in the capital city and in
Colón to overflow. The last two hurricanes indirectly
affecting Panama were Isidore and Lili in 2002.
Even though there are no historic records of any
volcanic activity in Panama, it has been possible to
locate 26 aligned volcanic systems, which created
the Talamanca mountain range. The eastern border
of this volcanic system is located approximately
at 80 degrees west longitude in the province of
Panama, and Cerro Cabra is the last volcano in
the line, located on the right margin of the Panama
Canal entrance, in the Pacific Ocean. The main
volcanoes in Panama are: Barú, La Yeguada and
El Valle. Barú, 3,475 meters high, is the highest
elevation and the tallest volcano in southern
Central America. It is a dormant volcano.
The country belongs to the Panama Microplat,
an area of seismic activity. The most important
geological faults are Tonosí, Gatún and the
“Panama Deformed Belt”. Seismic activity in
Panama is moderate; however, because of
Panama´s geography, physiography, climatology
and geology, the directors of the Geosciences
Institute and the National System of Civil
Protection, argue that Panama is not free from
earthquakes impacting the city. In fact, there is a
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
67
Table 33: Emergencies and disasters related to natural hazards
Hurricane Marta (1969) and Mitch (1998): Panama has been directly affected by hurricane Marta in 1969 and
although it was not declared an emergency zone because of Hurricane Mitch, its influence was strong in the
eastern area of Chiriqui, in the south of Darién and in the Bayano watershed during that period. (http://www.
unisdr.org/eng/mdgs-drr/national-reports/Panama-input.pdf); (http://www.hidromet.com.pa/sp/huracanes.htm)
Floods (November 2008): As of now, the number of casualties reported is 23,287, with 14,667 people
sheltered and six dead in the provinces of Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí, Veraguas, Darién, Colon, Eastern Panama
and Northeast Panama. (http://www.redhum.org/emergencias-244-Inundaciones-en-Panam%C3%A1--noviembre-2008.html)
Earthquake in Bocas del Toro (Panama) (1991): On April 22, 1991, the western area of Panama was strongly
shaken by a seismic movement of 7.4 magnitude. The seismic was destructive and eleven days later on May
11, 1991 there was a 6.2 magnitude aftershock. Houses were partially or totally destroyed; 23 deaths and 559
wounded were registered. (http://www.crid.or.cr/digitalizacion/pdf/spa/doc2203/doc2203.htm; http://www.reliefweb.
int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/STRI-7TPN3G?OpenDocument)
Barú Volcano (500): It is a dormant volcano. The most important eruption took place around the year 500. There
are reports and evidence of a minor eruption around the year 1550. (http://www.volcanbaru.com/)
50% probability that it could happen at any time.
There are records of earthquakes that occurred
in the province of Los Santos (1913), Bocas del
Toro (1916), Veraguas (1941), Panamá (1971),
Darién (1974), the most severe of which happened
in Bocas del Toro in 1991, leaving a balance of
23 deaths, 337 injured and 720 homes destroyed.
More recently, some movements occurred, such
as those in Chiriqui (2001), Colón (2003) and the
waterspouts in the Panama Bay (2002). Some
emergencies and disasters affecting Panama are
briefly detailed in Table 33.
Deforestation, misuse of the soil and disorderly
management of watersheds contribute to
environmental degradation and to a higher
incidence of hazards on the population. Some
areas in the cities, in the country, in the communities
and ecosystems have been destroyed in order to
build buildings, houses, etc, causing considerable
environmental disarray in the country. According to
environmentalists´ studies, this is the number one
cause for disasters produced by the floods affecting
the country today. Currently, a project financed by
the European Union through CEPREDENAC as
a member country of the Integrated Information
System of Central America (SICA): Regional
Program for the Reduction of Vulnerability and
Environmental Degradation, PREVDA, is being
carried out with the purpose of fostering change
51
towards an integrated environmental management,
with emphasis on water resources and reduction
of the socio-natural hazards and vulnerabilities
of the Indio River Basin (sub-basins: El Jobo, La
Encantada, El Guásimo, Indio). Also in Pacora
River (sub-basins: Cabobré, Utivé, Tataré and
Indio)51.
Man-made hazards
Some technological disasters have occurred in
Panamá, caused by different hazards such as
population growth, natural resource exploitation
and industrial and urban development, much like
in other Central American countries. According to
the Pan American Center for Sanitary Engineering
and Environmental Sciences (CEPIS), Panama
City is one of the Central American cities with the
highest degree of atmospheric lead contamination.
The highest levels occur during the rainy season
and during the school year. Permanent sources of
contamination come from battery manufacturers,
recyclers (scrap merchants) and metal founders,
as well as from buildings and houses painted with
lead (see Table 34).
TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
Information and Communication Technologies
For more information please refer to: http://www.sica.int/prevda/ugn_pa.aspx
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
68
Table 34: Emergencies and important man-made disasters in Panama
Some serious emergencies have been identified, namely:
hh Dengue epidemic (2001)
hh Food intoxication (2009) affected more than 300 people and exceeded the capacity of the emergency centers
of public hospitals in the western provinces of Coclé and Veraguas
hh Contamination of military bases occupied by the United States in Panama. Up until recently, there were
close to 17,000 hectares occupied by shooting ranges and military bases; seven thousand of those hectares
are identified by army authorities in the US as high risk impact areas. That is the situation of the Centro
Experimental de Piña, located in the Panamanian Caribbean, of Nuevo Emperador, West Balboa and San
José Island; the latter is located in the Pacific, a few kilometers away from the capital city.
in Panama consists of 200 companies, most of
them medium and small size, dedicated mainly
to the commercialization of technological goods
instead of the provision of services. A significant
percentage of these companies are regional
branches of international companies, set up in
Panama because of the geographic location and
tax incentives. Panama has undergone many
changes in telecommunications, including the
privatization of the telecommunications market in
1997, and its deregulation in 2003. In general, the
telecommunications infrastructure has improved
with the installation of network centers of operation
on national territory, taking advantage of the
geographic location and the abundant supply of
submarine circuits of communication (see Table
36).
has personal computers (see Table 35). 87% of
households have television sets.
With respect to fixed-line telephone services,
14.85% of Panamanians have telephone lines and
there has been an explosive growth in the number
of people using mobile telephones, from almost
14% in the year 2000 to 90% of the population
having access to cellular phones in 2007. With
regard to Internet users, 22.3% of the population
of Panama uses this technology and less than 5%
Also operating in the City of Knowledge are the
Institute of Advanced Scientific Research and
High Technology Service (INDICASAT, by its
Spanish acronym) and the Water Center for the
Humid Tropic of Latin America and the Caribbean,
dedicated to the production, dissemination and
knowledge application of water resources and
climatic change mitigation with a module of satellite
A must-see in Panama is the City of Knowledge
(CDS, by its Spanish acronym), which congregates
an important number of companies, universities
and organizations geared towards innovation 52.In
the City of Knowledge the international Tecnopark
of Panama (TIP, by its Spanish acronym) stands
out, as a technological center where more
than 63 member companies, research centers
and public projects share the same space for
technological development on subjects such as,
telecommunications, electronics, multimedia,
developments for e-Government, information
technology security, corporate solutions, among
others.
Table 35:
52
Indicator
1995
2000
2007
Cellular subscribers
0.00%
13.90%
90.01%
Internet users
0.06%
6.60%
22.30%
Personal computers
----
3.60%
4,60%
Telephone lines
11.56%
14.5%
14.85%
For more information about the City of Knowledge, visit the following site: www.cdspanama.org
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
69
images of Central America and the Caribbean run
by NASA. In the Tecnopark, we can also find the
“Panama Business Accelerator”, which promoted
the Angels Investors Sector, with investments of
more than $700,000 in innovative projects of young
Panamanians entrepreneurs, a great number of
them related to the development of ICTs. Many UN
agencies have their regional offices in the City of
Knowledge, including the Regional Office for the
Americas of the International Strategy for Disaster
Reduction (UNISDR, www.eird.org).
It is worth noting that the City of Knowledge
works towards the creation of online platforms for
the generation of synergies and the transfer of
knowledge, with the priority of bringing Panama
and the City of Knowledge into the digital
universe. The City of Knowledge itself offers a
node of entry (Point of Presence, POP), with
direct access to the land portion of 5 international
fibre optic cables crossing Panama (PAC, SAC,
ARCOS, Pan-American and Maya), and provides
telecommunications services, informatics and
educational technological services, including
a high technology intelligent center with the
necessary capacity for teleconferences, distance
education, high speed connections to the Internet
and other ICT services.
Also worth noting is the Panamanian initiative with
headquarters in the City of Knowledge, namely the
International Center for Sustainable Development
(CIDES), established in 2005 with the purpose of
encouraging an integrated knowledge management
model for sustainable development, with one of
its cross- cutting priority themes being the role of
Table 36: Internet Infrastructure and Telecommunications in Panamá
Telecommunications companies are building Network Operations Centers in Panama, taking advantage of the
geographic location and the abundant supply of fibre optic submarine communication circuits in both sides of the
coasts, making the interconnection with North America, Asia, Europe, Africa and the world in redundant routes
possible. Those submarine networks supply Panama with 4 international connections through high broadband,
fibre optic trunk routes, replacing the current feeding system through satellite link, now in operation.
Moreover, these new cables carry a new technology of wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) which will allow
extraordinary applications of ultra-high speed broadband, like multimedia, for example and digital video. This, in
turn, makes connections fast and reliable for B2B, banking, e-commerce and other business as well as high speed
additional units for consumers.
The MAYA-1 ring has repeaters in Florida, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Puerto Rico,
Jamaica and the Gran Cayman Island, and besides its own communications structure, it provides a recovery
route for the Pan-American cable. The trunk ARCOS-1 includes Florida, México, Belice, Guatemala, Honduras,
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panamá, Colombia, Aruba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Bahamas
GLOBAL CROSSING Project connects Asia, the United States, crosses the Panama Canal, the Caribbean
countries and Europe. MAYA and ARCOS ring systems link the continental Americas to the Caribbean Basin.
The total investment for both fibre optic trunk systems is $217 million and it will be divided among a consortium of
fourteen members, including world class carriers such as AT&T, CTCMundo, France Telecom, MCI, SPRINT, Star
Telecom, Swisscom, TelMex World Exchange and Cable & Wireless.
Network OXIGEN links the Caribbean to the United States, through Panama and it connects with the Pacific
Ocean inside Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil and Europe. Projects: MAYA-1, GLOBAL CROSSING,
OXYGEN y ARCOS-1 represent another cornerstone in Panama’s endeavor to become the Center of
Telecommunications in Latin America, which the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) anticipated it would happen within a few years. At the national level Panama has four optic cable
systems extended throughout the country.
Source: extracted from “frequently asked questions”, Panacom: (http://www.panamacom.com/panama.html)
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
70
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
ICTs in knowledge management for sustainable
development. One of the ongoing projects is the
establishment of a Telecommunications Sectorial
Professional Formation Centre (CIDES), in
cooperation with the National Institute of Vocational
Training for Human Development (INADEH),
Mondragón Group and CDS.
INSTITUTIONAL AND REGULATORY
FRAMEWORKS
National Information
regulations 53
Policy:
Legislation
and
Panama has been developing legislative and
regulatory frameworks for the development and
application of ICTs. One of the main precedents
dates back to 1972 with the approval of the Political
Constitution of the Republic of Panama, revised a
few times, the last revision being in 2004. Article
83 states the following: The State will formulate
the national scientific policy aimed at promoting
the development of science and technology.
With Executive Decree No. 72 of June 4th, 2002,
the Cabinet approved the creation of an ad hoc
Permanent Commission for the Modernization
of Panama according to New Information and
Communication Technologies, better known as
Commission e-Panama.
On July 30, 2002, the first alliance between the
National Government, through the Ministry of
Economy and Finance and the United Nations
Development Program (UNDP) was signed.
They subscribed an Agreement of Preparatory
Assistance for the Electronic Government Progra,
e-Panama, to be executed by the Permanent
Commission for the Modernization of the State
of Panama, according to New Information and
Communication Technologies54.
On September 2002, the second strategic alliance
was signed with the Inter-American Development
Bank (IDB). On August 30th, 2004, the InterUniversity Scientific and Technological Information
Network (REDCyT), officially launched the
broadband internet known as Internet 2. REDCyT
is an academic non-profit organization that links
research organizations and higher education
institutions. Universities and research institutes
of Panama can, with these resources, develop
projects in the field of distant learning, digital
libraries, telemedicine, virtual reality, e-learning,
videoconferences and weather forecasting
systems, among others. Some of the applications
on development in the Internet 2 project at the
international level range from telemedicine and
digital libraries to virtual laboratories and distance
handling and visualization of 3D models.
Executive Decree No. 102 of (09/01/2004) created
the Presidency Office for Governmental Innovation,
dependent on the presidency and the cabinet and
responsible for the functions, personnel, assets
and resources of the Commission e-Panama.
The Republic of Panama, known for its famous
Canal, started the XXI century with an innovative
outlook materialized through two instruments: the
National Agenda for Governmental Innovation
and Connectivity and the Program “Panama
Inteligente”. The National Agenda on innovation and
connectivity: Panama in the society of knowledge
is a presidential commitment supported by the
Cabinet to modernize public services and promote
the development of the citizen’s skills in the use of
connectivity. It includes four strategies:
hh State´s information system: it operates in
those that are critical or those more related to
citizens, in order to modernize the operations and
availability. It includes efforts at rationalization,
concentration and interconnection of systems,
services, infrastructure and databanks;
hh Digital Panama: it operates to improve
transparency and fight against corruption and
to increase citizen´s participation. The Panama
Compra system was set up (Executive Decree
Nº 98 of 09/02/2005), and created the Public
Procurement Electronic System, strengthened
by Law no. 22 of 07/27/2006 as well as with
Regulatory Decree No. 366 of 12/28/2006),
Panama
Tramita,
Panama
Emprende
Conéctate al Conocimiento, Gaceta Digital,
A national information policy is the coordination of public action for the design of a strategy geared to development and use or resources,
services and information systems.
54
See information at: http://www.mef.gob.pa/Archivos_Comunicados/2002-comunicados/comunicado-MEF%20Y%20PNUD%20FIRMAN%20
ACURDO%20PARA%20LA%20MODERNIZACION%20DEL%20ESTADO-30-07-02-.asp
53
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
71
among others. It includes other programs;
hh Citizens’ participation: together with the
National Science, Technology and Innovation
Secretariat (SENACYT), created by Law
No. 50 of December 21, 2005, a plan was
established to multiple points of citizen’s
access to information networks in the whole
country to the project “Infoplazas”. The public
administration is committed to designing
services that further participation and learning.
SENACYT is an autonomous institution with a
mission: to turn science and technology into
tools of sustainable development for Panama.
http://www.senacyt.gob.pa/); and
hh Panama Inteligente: focuses on the
development of citizens since elementary
school, the skills to cooperate, builds and
disseminates, based on a strategy of
“significant learning” that uses advanced tools,
such as Conceptual Maps and CmpTools
software, developed by the Institute for Human
and Machine Cognition. The project connects
about 1,000 public schools in a national
network to the Infoplazas network, universities,
governmental institutions and businesses.
Law No. 53 of December 28, 2005 recognized
the legal validity of the Gaceta Oficial por Internet
[official gazette online]. The norm states that those
interested in printing copies of the Official Gazette
Online may do so, using their own means.
Regulations on the use of documents and electronic
signatures and the Certification agencies in
Panama are included in two norms: Decree no. 21
of 12/07/2000, Electoral Tribunal and Regulations
on the use of electronic signatures supported by
digital certificates, and Law no. 43 of /07/23/2001
that defines and regulates documents and
electronic signatures, as well as the Certification
agencies in electronic trade and the exchange of
electronic documents.
One of the initiatives of the Panamanian Information
and Telecommunications Chamber (CAPATEC)
is to develop a Strategic Plan of Information
and Telecommunications Technologies (ICTs)
in Panama, with the general goal of promoting
the development of this sector (see: http://www.
capatec.org.pa/).
The Panamanian market has 17 enterprises with
concessions for basic telephone services, granted
by the National Public Services Authority (ASEP)
with very little additional investment made to
extend the fixed network to other areas in Panama.
Analysts believe that the rate of growth of mobile
telephone services will slow down and that the
supply of services will increase for clients in one
whole package, including fixed-line telephones,
internet and cable television services.
According to the Competitiveness Global Index
2008-2009 of the World Economic Forum, in
the Latin American region, Chile is followed by
Panama and Costa Rica, as the most competitive
countries in Central America. Panama ranks
58 with a competitiveness index of 4.24. With
regard to legislation on the use of information and
communication technologies (electronic trade,
digital signature and consumer protection) the
report ranks Panama 4.18, with 1= non-existent
and 7=very developed.
For more legislation regarding Panama, please
visit the following web pages:
hh http://www.asamblea.gob.pa/busca/
legislacion.html
hh http://www.lexadin.nl/wlg/legis/nofr/oeur/
lxwepan.htm
Broadcasting and Telecommunications
Broadcasting activity in Panama is regulated by
various norms, ranging from the constitutional
level to the regulatory level. Article 37 of the
Constitution of Panama states that: “every person
may freely express its opinion verbally, in writing
or by any other means, without subjection to prior
censorship. However, legal liability shall be incurred
when by any of these means the reputation or
honor of person is assailed or when social security
or public order is attacked.” http://www.iijlac.org/
apc/panama.2.htm
On September 20, 1973, law No. 80 created the
For more information please refer to: http://www.asamblea.gob.pa/legispan/PDF_NORMAS/1970/1973/1973_027_2292.pdf y http://
legislaciones.item.org.uy/index?q=node/1000.
55
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
72
National Institute of Telecommunications (INTEL,
by its Spanish acronym) whose goal is to plan,
design, build, operate, manage and improve
telecommunications55.
On July 29, 1987, Law No.14 was passed to regulate
National and International Telecommunications
in the Republic of Panama, in order to organize
public telecommunications services, as well as
generally regulating national and international
telecommunications in the Republic of Panama56.
On May 12, 2009, Executive Decree 96-2009,
through which the President of Panama, by
means of the Ministry of Government and Justice,
accepted the European norm of digital TV:
standards DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting)
for land digital television and IBOC (In Band on
Channel) for digital radio. http://legislaciones.item.
org.uy/index?q=node/1000)57.
Table 37 presents a list of web pages and digital
links where more detailed/specific regulations
related to ICTs existing in Panama can be found.
Disaster Risk Management: Legislation and
Regulations
The National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC)
was created on February 11, 2005, through
Law No. 758, with the duties of establishing and
implementing all policies and action plans directed
at the prevention of material and psychosocial
risks from natural and man-made disasters. In this
way, it compiles and keeps an information system,
promotes a national plan for risk management,
develops and implements strategies and
vulnerability reduction plans and risk management,
draws up plans and actions to strengthen and
improve the response capacity and humanitarian
assistance, promote or propose a design of the
plan to the Executive Agency and the adoption of
regulations on civil protection and security in the
whole country (http://www.sinaproc.gob.pa/).
Some of SINAPROC´s National Programs are
the following: Civil School Protection, Technical
Assistance,
Self-protection,
Family
plans,
Neighborhood Plan and Institutional Assistance.
59
The Emergency Operations Center (COE),
also reorganized by Law No.7 of 2005, with the
establishment of SINAPROC was assigned to
SINAPROC. This is the COE where coordination
among the institutions takes place, either at
the political or technical level, once a warning
is issued, to maintain control and ensure an
immediate response to the emergencies and
disasters occurring in the country.
Through the law of February 3, 1997, the Electric
Transmission Enterprise, Inc. (ETESA) and its
Hydrometeorology Management, functions as
a National Meteorology Service and Hydrology
in Panama. ETESA is responsible for weather
monitoring in the country and serves as liaison
with the National Meteorological Services of other
countries in the area and coordinates warnings with
the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC)
in cases of extreme meteorological phenomena.
In this manner, the surveillance and monitoring
processes performed by the forecast personnel
of Area Panama, is reinforced by the use of all
the technological advances of the digital world,
with satellite information, radar and information
generated by Global Climate Models, in order
to issue warnings at the right time60. For more
information, please visit the page at UNISDR at:
http://www.eird.org/perfiles-paises/perfiles/index.
php/Panama.
In December 2005 the National Platform for Disaster
Risk Reduction for the Republic of Panama was
approved through the CEPREDENAC-PANAMA
National Commission (under Executive Decree
402 of November 12, 2002). The focal point for
the implementation of the Framework for Action
in Panama is the National Civil Protection System
(SINAPROC)61.
In addition to the more specific ICT regulatory
framework, Panama has also made some progress
See text of the Law at: http://www.asamblea.gob.pa/legispan/PDF_NORMAS/1980/1987/1987_013_0468.pdf
For more legislation on Telecommunications in Panama: http://207.42.179.84/leyes/Panama/Panama.pdf.
58
To see full text of the law, visit: http://www.sinaproc.gob.pa/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=13&Itemid=26
59
Sectorial Plans can be found at: http://www.sinaproc.gob.pa/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=127&Itemid=119, y la cooperación
internacional en http://www.sinaproc.gob.pa/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=40&Itemid=52
60
For more information, please visit: http://www.hidromet.com.pa/sp/index.htm
61
For more information please visit: http://www.eird.org/esp/foro-panama/data/doc_foro/present_2008/tema_1.pdf; y http://www.eird.org/
perfiles-paises/perfiles/index.php/Panamá
56
57
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
73
Table 37: Links related with regulations on Digital Information and Telecommunications
hh National Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (SENACYT): http://www.senacyt.gob.pa/
hh Electronic Signature Act: http://www.tradepuertorico.com/pdf/Panama/leycomercioelectronico.pdf
hh European norm Digital -TV: http://www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa/pdfTemp/26279/17612.pdf
hh General Superintendency for Electricity and Telecommunications (SIGET): http://www.siget.gob.sv/index.
aspx?tipo=17
hh Programa de Legislaciones y Derecho a la Comunicación. América Latina y el Caribe (AMARC): Panamá
http://legislaciones.item.org.uy/index?q=paises/37
hh Cámara Panameña de Tecnologías de Información y Telecomunicaciones (CAPATEC): http://www.capatec.
org.pa/
regarding regulatory and institutional frameworks
related to disaster risk reduction. Panama
also works with SUMA: Humanitarian Supply
Management System, an information management
tool which employs an easy-to-use computerized
system to track items from the moment they are
effectively distributed to the affected population62.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
and four other United Nations agencies have just
completed the first development phase of a new
system: Logistics Support System (LSS), based
on the SUMA system of the PAHO for managing
humanitarian resources following disasters. Both
LSS and SUMA are systems based on computer
software that help response systems consolidate
and exchange information, improve operational
transparency, register and monitor the distribution
of undocumented elements, especially donations
not expressly requested. Panama was the first
country in the world to receive this type of training
with the latest version of LSS/SUMA, which was
introduced in the country in 2005; through the
program 30 people from different institutions of
the Panamanian Government received training,
specifically those involved with humanitarian aid
and assistance.
Relevant regulations by sector
Norms and guidelines have been developed in the
country and in the region with regard to various
areas of public and private business which can
also be considered as strategies for ICTs applied
to disaster mitigation, either by the actors involved
or by the space created for the possible use
of these technologies in risk management by
sectors. In this regard, the chapter on Panama
on the “Compilation of regulations on Health and
Disasters: Latin America” developed by the Pan
American Health Organization presents a quite
developed set of regulations on the health sector63.
Decree Law No. 6 of February 10, 1998, approves
the contract between the State and the City of
Knowledge Foundation for the establishment
and development of the City of Knowledge (CDS,
by its acronym in Spanish) and in November
1999, the national Government presented the
Foundation with the facilities that became the City
of Knowledge of today in the former Clayton Base,
across the Miraflores Lock of the Panama Canal.
The City of Knowledge is a state project, home
to over a 150 organizations, where researchers
work and develop plans, where high level training
programs are offered, innovative business projects
are conceived, and where humanitarian action
and development projects of various international
organizations and NGOs are managed64.
There are more details on the relevance of the
City of Knowledge in the context of ICTs and
disaster management in the previous Section on
Technological Support and Infrastructure.
Regarding
the
Please, see more information at: (http://www.disaster-info.net/SUMA/spanish/index.htm).
For more information visit: http://www.disaster-info.net/PED-Sudamerica/leyes/vgpccd.html
64
Publication for the 10 years of the City of Knowledge: (www.cdspanama.org)
62
63
education
sector,
SENACYT
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
74
developed a Scientific and Technological
Development Plan for the Education Sector in
Panama. The Ministry of Education opened the
Portal EDUCA PANAMA with the purpose of
developing an interactive space of continuous
training and incorporated the Panamanian
education portal to the Latin American Education
Portals Network (RELPE, by its Spanish
acronym)65.
Decree Law 35 of September 22, 1966 created
the National Water Commission to regulate the
exploitation of the country´s water resources66.
On June 11, 1997, Law no. 19: the Panama Canal
Authority Organic Law was passed to regulate the
Authority of the Panama Canal67. Other legal and
regulatory frameworks for sectors such as Environment
and Water and Sanitation, which are critical sectors
both for development in general and for risk reduction
management, can find a relevant space to promote the
application of ICTs in this context.Table 38 includes links
to the most relevant laws for these sectors in Panama.
Table 38: Legislation for disaster mitigation in critical sectors
Environment: Legislation and Regulations
hh General Environmental Act. http://www.anam.gob.pa/joomla/images/stories/normasambientales/Ley_
general_del_ambiente_panama.pdf
hh Regulations of the General Environmental Law. http://www.cnpml.org.pa/cnpml/leyes_normas/
decreto_59.pdf
hh Forest Law. http://www.anam.gob.pa/joomla/images/stories/normasambientales/Ley_1_de_3_de_
Febrero_de_1994.pdf
hh More detailed/specific regulations on the environment can be found in the following web pages:
hh http://www.latinlaws.com/panama.html
hh http://www.ccad.ws/legislacion/Panama.html
hh Regional Plan for the Development of the Inter-oceanic Region and the Master Plan of Use,
Conservation and Development of the Canal area. http://www.ccad.ws/documentos/legislacion/PM/L21-97.pdf
Water and Sanitation: Legislation and Regulations
hh National Water Commission. http://www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsacd/cd38/Panama/DL35-66.pdf
hh Action Plan for the integrated water management in the Central American Isthmus. http://www.ccad.
ws/documentos/pacadirh/PACADIRH.pdf
For more information visit: http://www.educapanama.edu.pa/pagina/nuestro-trabajo-tiene-como
See text of Decree at: http://www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsacd/cd38/Panama/DL35-66.pdf
67
See text of Law at: http://www.pancanal.com/esp/legal/law/index.html
65
66
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
75
BIBLIOGRAPHY
hh PAHO/WHO. Area of preparedness for
situations of emergency and relief in case of
disasters, country profiles: Panama. http://
www.disaster-info.net/PED-Centroamerica/
index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcat
egory&id=71&Itemid=243
hh Compilation of regulations on health and
disasters: Latin America: PAHO/WHO. http://www.disaster-info.net/PED-Sudamerica/
leyes/vgpccd.html
hh Legislation and the Right to Communication
Program: Latin America and the Caribbean
(AMARC): Panama. http://legislaciones.item.
org.uy/index?q=paises/37
hh National Secretariat for Science, Technology
and Innovation (SENACYT). http://www.
senacyt.gob.pa/
hh SUMA: Humanitarian Supply Management
System. http://www.disaster-info.net/SUMA/
spanish/index.htm
hh International Strategy Disaster Reduction
(UNISDR) the Americas. Country profiles:
Panama. http://www.eird.org/perfiles-paises/
perfiles/index.php/Panamá#Plataforma_
Nacional
hh National educational systems / OEI. http://
www.oei.es/quipu/panama/index.html#legi
hh The Global Information Technology Report
2008–2009: Mobility in a Networked World
h t t p : / / w w w. w e f o r u m . o r g / p d f / g i t r / 2 0 0 9 /
gitr09fullreport.pdf
hh Latin Laws. Biblioteca Legal Latinoamericana.
http://www.latinlaws.com/panama.html
hh Competitiveness Global Index 2008-2009:
World Economic Forum. http://72.52.156.225/
Estudio.aspx?Estudio=indice-competitividad
hh Epidemiological Situation of Acute Pesticide
Poisoning in the Central American Isthmus,
1992-2000. http://www.paho.org/spanish/sha/
be_v23n3-plaguicidas.htm
hh Legislation and policies. http://www.ccad.ws/
legislacion/Panama.html
hh Action plan for the integrated water management
in the Central American Isthmushttp://www.
ccad.ws/documentos/pacadirh/PACADIRH.
pdf
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
76
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC68
Capital: Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Population: 9.8 million
Area: 48.730 km2
Population density: 181.8 h/km2
Urban population: 51%
Demographic growth rate: 1.5
Currency: Peso
Language: Spanish
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Dominican Republic occupies more than
two thirds of the eastern area of the Island of
Hispaniola or Santo Domingo, in the Archipelago
of the West Indies. It borders the Atlantic Ocean
to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the south; it
borders the Mona Passage to the east, a strait
which separates the Island from Puerto Rico and
the Republic of Haiti to the west, with which it
shares the island. It is the second largest country
in the Antilles, with a land extension of 48,730 km2
and a population of 9.8 million, with 51% living
in urban areas69. The country is organized in 31
provinces and the National District, where Santo
Domingo de Guzmán, the capital, is located (see
Table 39).
The annual average temperature is 25 °C. The
climate is tropical in the coastal areas and cooler
and drier in the inner areas of the country. The
northern and eastern areas are the most humid
ones and have the highest precipitation index. The
western and southern areas are drier and barren
in some places. In general, the rainy season in the
northern coast lasts from October through April or
May, while in the southern coast it lasts from May
through October-November.
RISK SITUATION AND FREQUENT
HAZARDS
The Caribbean is one of the most vulnerable
regions, subject to disasters both natural and
man-made. The Dominican Republic is located in
the center of the Antilles archipelago, below the
Tropic of Cancer. Due to its geographical location,
it is right on the path of hurricanes, tropical storms
and tropical depressions that start in the Atlantic
Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The country is
located over the Caribbean plate, over some micro
plates and the Septentrional fault, the San Juan
fault – Los Pozos, Enriquillo fault and the Fosa
de los Muertos [Deep of the Dead], where strong
earthquakes can happen and high seismicity can
be a frequent occurrence. The largest earthquake
on record for the Dominican Republic was in the
year 1946 with the epicenter in Bahia Escocesa,
recorded a magnitude of 8.1 in the Richter scale.
The earthquake caused a tsunami which caused
structural damage to the whole country. The
aftershocks of August 8 and August 21 were as
strong as the earthquake, spreading panic among
the population. Over 1,200 aftershocks were
registered in a year. The Dominican Republic does
not have any active volcano.
The UNISDR Americas has developed country profiles with specific information on all aspects of risk reduction, including national counterparts,
regulatory frameworks, projects and initiatives on risk management in the country at hand. For a more detailed information please visit the
Dominican Republic Country Profile at the following web site: http://www.eird.org/wikiesp/index.php/Republica_Dominicana
69
The Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009
68
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
77
Table 39: Administrative distribution70
Province
Capital
Area (km²)
Azua
Azua de Compostela
2.531,77
Population
208.857
82
1
Bahoruco
Neiba
1.282,23
91.48
71
2
Barahona
Santa Cruz de Barahona
1.739,38
179.239
103
3
Dajabón
Dajabón
1.020,73
62.046
61
4
Distrito Nacional
Santo Domingo de Guzmán
104.44
913.54
8.747
Duarte
San Francisco de Macorís
1.605,35
283.805
177
5
Elías Piña
Comendador
1.426,20
63.879
45
6
El Seibo
Santa Cruz del Seibo
1.786,80
Espaillat
Moca
838,62
Hato Mayor
Hato Mayor del Rey
Hermanas Mirabal
Map
D.N.
89.261
50
7
225.091
268
8
1.329,29
87.631
66
9
Salcedo
440,43
96.356
219
21
Independencia
Jimaní
2.006,44
50.833
25
10
La Altagracia
Salvaleón de Higüey
3.010,34
182.02
60
11
La Romana
La Romana
653,95
219.812
336
12
La Vega
Concepción de la Vega
2.287,24
385.101
168
13
María Trinidad Sánchez
Nagua
1.271,71
135.727
107
14
Monseñor Nouel
Bonao
992,39
167.618
169
15
Montecristi
San Fernando de Montecristi
1.924,35
111.014
58
16
Monte Plata
Monte Plata
2.632,14
180.376
69
17
Pedernales
Pedernales
2.074,53
21.207
10
18
Peravia
Baní
792,33
169.865
214
19
Puerto Plata
San Felipe de Puerto Plata
1.852,90
312.706
168
20
Samaná
Santa Bárbara de Samaná
853,74
91.875
108
22
Sánchez Ramírez
Cotuí
1.196,13
151.179
126
23
San Cristóbal
San Cristóbal
1.265,77
532.88
421
24
San José de Ocoa
San José de Ocoa
855,40
62.368
73
25
San Juan
San Juan de la Maguana
3.569,39
241.105
68
26
San Pedro de Macorís
San Pedro de Macorís
1.255,46
301.744
240
27
Santiago
Santiago de los Caballeros
2.836,51
908.25
320
28
Santiago Rodríguez
San Ignacio de Sabaneta
1.111,14
59.629
54
29
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo Este
1.301,84
1,817,754
1.396
30
Valverde
Mao
823,38
158.293
192
31
National Office of Statistics. «VIII Censo 2002 Población y Vivienda»
(extracted from Wikipedia: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provincias_de_la_Rep%C3%BAblica_Dominicana#cite_note-0)
70
Density
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
78
Finally, the interconnection of climate and thermal
oscillations in the Equatorial Pacific, both for warm
and cold events also may cause extensive and
intense droughts, recurring every two to three
years. Panama presents a rugged topography,
being exposed to landslides, lowland areas
vulnerable to floods and coastal areas prone to
tidal waves. Even though geophysical phenomena
are present and have caused damage in the past,
hydro-meteorological phenomena have recurrently
caused the greatest damage in terms of human
lives and material goods.
The Dominican Republic is characterized by
certain development processes as well as by sociocultural, institutional, economic and environmental
characteristics that alter in a particular way the
risk scenarios in the country, where vulnerability
fits together with the common regional risks and
its own, in order to cause situations of potential
disaster. Following there is a brief description of the
main natural and man-made hazards associated
with the occurrence of emergencies and disasters
in the Dominican Republic.
Natural hazards
Because of its geographical location and
geology, the country is vulnerable to disasters
caused by natural processes, which can be
grouped in five main areas: a) meteorological, b)
hydrological, c) oceanographic, d) geological and
c) environmental.
Meteorological phenomena includes: hurricanes,
tropical storms, meteorological droughts, heat
waves, thunderstorms, tornados, hailstorms and
storms.
Hydrological phenomena may include the
collapse of dams, hydrological droughts, flash
floods and floods. Oceanographic phenomena
present floods by oceanic waves, storm
surges, groundswells and tsunamis. Geological
phenomena present earthquakes and landslides
and finally, environmental phenomena: forest fires,
desertification, agro-meteorological droughts,
epidemics, famines and bad crops. Table 40
includes some of the most important emergencies
and disasters registered in the recent history of the
Dominican Republic.
Man-made hazards
Several different man-made hazards have been
identified in the Dominican Republic. Some of the
more common and of greater impact in the region
are: water pollution, air pollution, lead pollution,
noise pollution, propane gas distribution, fires,
engineering malpractice, land use and industrial
spills. One of them needs immediate attention: the
collapse of dams.
Because of deforestation, the rivers’ volume has
decreased or has disappeared; however, as well
as the other ones, in just a few hours they can
create floods causing considerable damage to the
population.
As to the management of dams in the Dominican
Republic, their functioning needs to be reviewed.
This is a country directly exposed to cyclones
and storms, where a considerable part of the
population lives downstream, below the water
reservoirs. When it rains the population fears the
sudden draining of water from the dams, and not
being able to withstand the volume of rainfall.
The biggest problem affecting dams in the
country is the effect of sedimentation produced
by deforestation of their watersheds, whose
magnitude is still unknown. Other less far-reaching
man-made hazards have also been identified,
such as air disasters, oil spills, chemical spills, gas
pipelines and radiological hazards. Table 41 shows
the main emergencies and disasters associated
with man-made hazards in this country.
TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
The National Information and Communication
Technologies for Development in the Dominican
Republic seek to foster the country’s human
development bringing the benefit of new
technologies to all Dominicans. The understanding
is that ICTs can contribute very significantly with
actions that enable human development goals,
such as education, health, governance and fight
poverty.
In the Dominican Republic, slightly over 9% of
the population has access to fixed telephone
lines, while approximately 50% of the population
has access to cellular technology telephones,
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
79
Table 40: Emergencies and disasters associated with natural hazards
hh Hurricane David (1979) and George (1998):
hh David. (Category 5). The biggest hurricane in the country, more than 4,000 people died, and thousands were
affected.
hh George (Categoría 3). 70 people died and 100.000 lost their homes. http://www.acqweather.com/
DesastresSigloXX.htm
hh Floods (August 1988):
Heavy rain caused the Haina, Duey, Isa and Mana rivers to overflow. Landslides caused aqueduct pipes to
break in Santo Domingo and affected the city’s water supply city for several months. http://www.acqweather.com/
DesastresSigloXX.htm
hh Earthquake in Dominican Republic (1946):
The devastating 8.1 earthquake centered in Bahía Escocesa, Dominican Republic caused a tsunami and
was felt across the country. It caused structural damage in Puerto Plata, San Francisco de Macoris, Salcedo,
Moca, La Vega, Santiago, San Pedro de Macoris, Monte Plata and Santo Domingo. The aftershocks on
August 8 and August 21 were as strong as the earthquake and caused panic. Over the course of one year
following this earthquake, there were approximately 1200 recorded aftershocks. http://www.acqweather.com/
DesastresSigloXX.htm
with investments in the construction of repeater
antennas near the rural areas with the objective
of increasing the coverage area and bring cellular
telephones to remote areas (see Table 42). Mobile
operators in the Dominican Republic are: Claro,
Orange, Trilogy (Viva) and they offer services using
network 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 compatible with
most telephones.
CODETEL is in charge of the Rural Connectivity
Project, which is envisioning the possibility of
bringing services to 503 communities in partnership
with small telecommunications enterprises and
with the objective of bringing communication to the
rural areas of the country. The Telecommunications
Institute of the Dominican Republic (INDOTEL) is
Table 41: Emergencies and important man-made disasters in the Dominican Republic
Some emergencies occurred in the country, such as:
hh Lead Pollution (2007) Paraíso de Dios is just a neighborhood in Barrios de Haina, a municipality located
approximately 20 km west of Santo Domingo, where an automobile battery recycling factory operated for 20
years, was moved somewhere else seven years ago, but its waste continues to contaminate children and
adults.
hh Pollution of the Higuamo and Magua Rivers: due to the pesticides and fertilizers coming from the
sugarcane and other seasonal crops. These crops are treated with fertilizers and pesticides which are
powerful pollutants and the toxic waste is thrown into the rivers.
hh Noise Pollution: It has been possible to certify that the average level of noise pollution in the capital city
oscillates between 75 and 85 decibels, between three and four scores of ten over the acceptable level for
human hearing.
hh Explosion of propane filling company (2009) A propane filling station exploded in the San Isidro highway,
wounding dozens of people and spreading panic and the evacuation of multitude of families in the area.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
80
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
the competent agency in charge of the companies
which compete to provide services. There is a
direct dialing service by dialing area codes 809
and 829.
About 17% of the population of the Dominican
Republican uses the Internet. Internet use of
broadband through cellular, which operators have
been implementing thanks to new third generation
technologies, is associated with the gradual
increase in the number of internet users. The
country is interconnected through three (3) fibre
optic submarine cables systems which enable
more network capillarity and bring broadband to the
most remote places in the country. There are eight
8 Internet service providers in the country, such as:
Compañía Dominicana de Teléfonos (CODETEL
by its Spanish acronym), Orange Dominicana,
Viva and Tricom. Only 3.5% of Dominicans have
access to a personal computer.
In terms of radio broadcasting, the country has 369
authorized radio stations. There is a solar energy
project that feeds the first digital transmitter of
amplitude modulation in the Dominican Republic
and was designed to improve the quality and
coverage of the signal. With the goal of bringing
basic education, work was done through radio in
rural areas that lacked formal schools, alternating
the learning with work on the fields. About 78% of
Dominican households have television sets.
MARCOS NORMATIVOS E
INSTITUCIONALES
National
norms.71
Information
Policy:
legislation
and
The Dominican Republic has been developing
legislative and regulatory frameworks for the use
and application of ICTs. One of the main precedents
comes with the approval of the Constitution of
the Dominican Republic, which was revised a
few times, the last revision being in 2002. Article
No.8, Section 6 states: “Every person may, without
subjection to prior censorship, freely express his
opinion in writing or by any other means, graphic
or verbal”72.
On October 27, 2004, Decree No. 1374-04 was
approved. It declared that the adoption and
implementation of a National Competitiveness
Plan for the development of national productivity
and sustainable economic growth in the Dominican
Republic is a matter of State policy of high
priority. The National Council for Competitiveness
(CNC) created under Decree No. 1091-01 of
November 3, 2001, will be the official entity in
charge of developing and implementing, together
with the public and private sectors, the National
Competitiveness Plan73.
The creation of the National Public Administration
Institute constitutes a significant step towards
the process of reform and modernization of the
Dominican State. It will be in charge of contributing to
the training, actualization and preparation process
necessary for the administration personnel. The
legal framework for this Institute comes from Law
41-08 of Public Function that created the State
Secretariat of Public Administration of January 16,
2008, which entirely replaces Law 14-91 of May
20, 1991, and its enabling Regulations No.81-94
on Civil Service and Administrative Career. (http://
www.inap.gov.do/homex.php)
In 2004, the need for a high level government
entity was identified in order to meet the Dominican
Government’s priority to implement the use of
ICTs in the country. To modernize the State there
was a need to increase the competitiveness
of the productive sector and socialize access
to information. The need to further, develop
and design projects, policies and strategies
to democratize access, use and application of
information and communication technologies was
especially considered. Therefore, in accordance
with the Executive Power’s plans, an organization
in charge of coordinating the initiatives and
development projects, supported by ICTs, was
designed and created. Such action was also in
accordance with the country’s interest to comply
with the agreements signed with the United
Nations to attain the Objectives of the Millennium.
On September 3, 2004, Decree No. 1090-04
created the Oficina Presidencial de Tecnologías
de la Información y Comunicación (OPTIC by
A national information policy is the coordination of public measures for the design of a strategy geared towards the development and use or
resources, services and information systems.
72
See text of the constitution at: http://www.suprema.gov.do/codigos/Constitucion.pdf
73
http://www.stp.gov.do/UploadPDF/D1374_04.pdf
71
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
81
Table 42:
Indicator
1995
2000
2007
Subscribers to cellular telephones
0.74%
8.10%
56.70%
Internet users
0.02%
3.70%
17.20%
Personal computers
-
1,90%
3.50%
Telephone lines
7.71%
10.02%
9.30%
its Spanish acronym) [Presidential Office of
Information and Communication Technologies]
directly under the Executive Power, with financial,
structural and functional autonomy, responsible
for planning, leading and executing the necessary
actions to implement the Electronic Government of
the Dominican Republic.
This decree gives OPTIC the functions of the
Instituto Audiovisual de Informática (IADI), now
named Center for the Studies of Communication
and Information Technologies (CETIC by its
Spanish acronym) and the National Informatics
Commission (CNI by its Spanish acronym) with
the goal of integrating under one umbrella the
initiatives on Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) and Electronic Government.
On April 11, 2005 Decree No. 212-05 created the
National Committee for the Information Society
(CNSIC by its Spanish acronym), aimed at
planning, developing and evaluating the National
Strategy for the Information and Knowledge
Society, the formulation of policies resulting from
this strategy and definition of initiatives, programs
and projects. The same decree approved the
creation of the Observatory of the Information
and Knowledge Society of the Dominican
Republic (OSIC-RD by its Spanish acronym)
to operate as a collegiate consultative agency
under the CNSIC. This Observatory has the task
to become the centre of reference for measuring,
follow-up, evaluation, analysis, monitoring and
dissemination of information on development
and assimilation in the Information and
Knowledge Society in the Dominican Republic74.
On October 21, 2008 the Government presented
the Strategic Plan for Science, Technology
and Innovation 2008-2018 (PECyT+I, by its
Spanish acronym). Its goals are to strengthen
the public institutional and financial framework of
the national science and technology system, in
addition to developing research and innovation.
The State’s initiative is innovative for the country,
which believes in achieving development through
education, science and technology.
Other decrees, No. 228-07 and No. 22907,were created aiming at institutionalizing the
development and implementation of the National
Agenda of Electronic Government. These decrees
establish the Governmental Contact Center and
the Electronic Government application guidelines.
The outlook on E-Government places the
Dominican Republic at an advanced development
and information standard. The E-Government
Master Plan for the Dominican Republic, 20082012 project has been initiated and conducted
by OPTIC75. OPTIC is also working on the
development of CIUDADES DIGITALES76.
The Agreement signed on June 12, 2008, creates
a cooperation framework to develop Digital Cities
in the Dominican Republic. The parties agree
to contribute with knowledge and experience
towards the good development of the project.
OPTIC is responsible for the general coordination.
The Presidency of the Republic, the Dominican
Telecommunications Institute (INDOTEL, by its
Spanish acronym), the Ibero-American Association
of Research Centers and Telecommunication
Companies (AHCIET by its Spanish acronym),
and the Dominican Federation of Municipalities
For more information please visit: http://www.stp.gov.do/UploadPDF/D212_05.pdf
The projects to be carried out by the electronic government can be found at the following web page: http://www.optic.gob.do/
GobiernoElectr%c3%b3nico/Proyectos/tabid/80/Default.aspx
76
For more information please visit: http://www.optic.gob.do/CiudadesDigitales/tabid/188/Default.aspx
74
75
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
82
(FEDOMU by its Spanish acronym), are all
institutions that will coordinate this project and will
provide assistance to the municipal governments in
the country, which in turn, will eventually carry out
the conversion of the traditional local governments
into Electronic Municipal Governments within the
framework of a Digital City.
“Vision of a National ICT Strategy for Development:
e-Dominicana” is a cooperative effort of the
Dominican society headed by the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) and the
Dominican Institute of Telecommunications with
the participation of the civil society and open to all
players of the national scene.
There is more legislation on the Dominican
Republic in the following web page: (http://www.
lexadin.nl/wlg/legis/nofr/oeur/lxwedom.htm).
Broadcasting and Telecommunications
Broadcasting activity in the Dominican Republic
is regulated by various norms, ranging from the
constitutional level to the regulatory level. Article
8, Section 10 of the Constitution of the Republic
states that the media has free access to official
and private news sources, as long as they do not
attempt against public order or endanger national
security.
On July 28, 2004 the General Law of Free Access
to Public Information: Law No. 200-04 states that
each and every person has the right to request and
receive complete, truthful, appropriate and timely
information, from any Dominican State agency
and from all corporations, companies or public
companies with State participation77.
On November 1st, 1930, the Dominican Telephone
Company (CODETEL by its Spanish acronym) was
inaugurated and been operating the telephone
communications in the country for over 60 years.
On May 27, 1998, the General Law of
Telecommunications: Law
No.153-98
was
approved. This
law is the basic regulatory
framework to be applied nationwide to
regulate the installation, maintenance and
operation of networks, services, and supply of
telecommunication equipments. The regulatory
agency is the Dominican Telecommunications
Institute (INDOTEL), which is under the General
Comptroller of the Republic78.
In May 2009, CODETEL and INDOTEL inaugurated
the Project “Broadband rural connectivity” in the
first few places, Las Matas de Santa Cruz in
Montecristi, San Víctor in Moca and Monte Plata.
This project was a step forward in the application
of new technologies in the country.
On August
14,
2008,
the
Dominican
Telecommunications Institute (INDOTEL) started
the process of public survey to define which will be
the digital land television standard, as indicated in
Regulation 159/08 of the Board of Directors of the
Institute, within the General Telecommunications
Law framework. At the time of the preparation of
this document no decisions had been made. Table
44 has a list of web sites and digital links where
more detailed/specific current regulatory material
related to ICTs in the Dominican Republic can be
found79.
Disaster Risk Management: Legislation and
Regulations
Disaster management in the Dominican Republic
has become the responsibility of the national
civil protection agency. With the adoption of Law
no.147-02 on Risk Management80 and of Decree
No. 932-03, approving the regulations for the
implementation of Law 147-02, a national policy
was adopted and the National Technical Committee
for Risk Prevention and Mitigation is created under
the National Emergency Commission, which, in
turn, was created through Decree No.1329-04 of
October 18, 2004. This Commission works as
an advisory and coordinating agency for these
activities81. In June 2009 the National Platform
for Disaster Risk Reduction of the Dominican
Republic was adopted on the basis of the existing
National Technical Committee on Risk Prevention
and Mitigation.
For more information visit: http://www.dgii.gov.do/legislacion/LeyesTributarias/Documents/Ley200-04.pdf
For more information visit: http://www.dga.gov.do/dgagov.net/uploads/file/leyes/Ley-153-98-Telecomunicaciones.pdf
79
For more information on legislation on Telecommunications in the Dominican Republic, please visit: http://www.ahciet.net/historia/pais.
aspx?id=10154&ids=10686 y en http://legislaciones.item.org.uy/index?q=paises/40
80
See more information at: http://www.coe.gov.do/newcoe/index.php/about-coe.html
81
See more information at: http://www.stp.gov.do/UploadPDF/D1329_04.pdf.
77
78
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
83
Table 44: Links related to regulations on digital information and telecommunications
hh National Commission for the Society and Information and Knowledge (CNSIC). http://www.cnsic.
org.do/
hh Electronic Signature Law. http://www.dga.gov.do/dgagov.net/uploads/file/leyes/Ley_126-02.pdf
hh General Electricity Law: Law No.125-01, of July 26, 2001, amended by Law No.186-07, of August
6th, 2007: http://www.sie.gov.do/archivos/leyes/LeyGeneraldeElectricidadNo125-01.pdf
hh Revision. http://www.suprema.gov.do/pdf/leyes/2007/Ley_No_186-07.pdf
hh Superintendency of Electricity: Dominican Republic. http://www.sie.gov.do/
hh Legislation and the Right to Communication Program: Latin America and the Caribbean (AMARC):
Dominican Republic. http://legislaciones.item.org.uy/index?q=paises/40
hh Office of the President of the Dominican Republic. http://www.presidencia.gob.do/app/frontpage.
aspx
The Center of Emergency Operations (COE),
according to Law 147-02 works as a coordinating
agency for preparedness and response in case
of disasters. Its mission is to plan and lead all
coordinating actions in order to facilitate a joint
operation between the institutions of the National
Technical Committee for Disaster Risk Prevention,
Mitigation and Response (SN-PMR), after the
warning is issued, due to the likelihood of an
adverse event or sudden occurrence in any area
of the country which might exceed the regional
and provincial capabilities, in order to support the
response and to efficiently and effectively minimize
its effects.
As a priority on mitigation and adaptation to climatic
change, Decree No. 601-08 was issued, creating
the National Authority of Climate Change and the
Mechanism of Clean Development. The latter´s
purpose is to design and implement public policies,
necessary for the prevention and mitigation of
greenhouse gas emissions.
After the passage of Noel and Olga storms in
2007, the Dominican Government implemented
an intervention strategy which encouraged the
survival mechanisms of the affected population,
as well as the spontaneous activity of recovery
of their assets, facilitating the use of their own
capabilities and generation of synergies. This
strategy implied a participatory structure among
82
the Government, the United Nations Development
Program (UNDP), civil society entities, as well as
the participation of the affected population itself.
A second lesson refers to the Solidarity Program,
which is part of the Government´s Social Protection
Network, as one of the strategic means to reduce
poverty, by supporting the improvement of families´
incomes in exchange for a series of conditions
in the area of education and health in order to
increase human capital.
The National Meteorological Office (ONASMET)
created in 1984 controls and issues warnings
about climatic events in the Caribbean. (http://
www.onamet.gov.do/).
In addition to the more specific ICT regulatory
framework, some progress has been done by
the country regarding regulatory and institutional
frameworks related to disaster risk management.
The Dominican Republic has also been working
with SUMA: Humanitarian Supply Management
System, in emergency situations, an information
management tool which employs an easy-to-use
computerized system in order to track items from
the moment they are effectively distributed to the
affected population82.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
and four other United Nations agencies have just
completed the first development phase of a new
For more information about SUMA, please visit: http://www.disaster-info.net/SUMA/spanish/index.htm).
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
84
system: Logistics Support System (LSS), based
on the SUMA system of the PAHO for managing
humanitarian resources following disasters. Both
LSS and SUMA are systems based on computer
software that help response systems consolidate
and exchange information, improve operational
transparency, register and monitor the distribution
of undocumented elements, especially donations
not expressly requested.
Relevant regulations by sectors
Norms and guidelines have been developed in the
country and in the region with regard to various
areas of public and private business which can
also be considered as strategies for ICTs applied to
disaster mitigation, either by the actors involved or
by the space created for the possible use of these
technologies in risk management by sectors.
The Distance Education Center of the Dominican
Republic began operating on June 21st, 2000,
together with a dozen similar centers, located in
Asia, Africa and America, which participated in the
official launch of the Global Development Learning
Network (GDLN), sponsored by the World Bank.
Therefore, the Dominican Republic is one of the
pioneers in the GDLN (see http://www.inapced.
com/ced/).
On August 13, 2001, Law 139-01 was passed,
creating the National System of Higher Education,
Science and Technology. The law establishes
the regulations for its operation, the mechanisms
ensuring quality and relevance of services
provided by the participating institutions and lays
the legal foundations for national scientific and
technological development83.
Similarly, other legal/regulatory frameworks for
sectors such as the Environment and Water and
Sanitation, which, being critical sectors both for
development in general and for the management
of risk reduction, can find an appropriate space
to promote the implementation of ICTs in that
context.
Table 45 includes links to the most relevant laws
for these sectors in the Dominican Republic.
Table 45: Legislation on disaster mitigation in critical sectors
Environment: Legislation and Regulations
hh General Law on the Environment and Natural Resources. http://www.dga.gov.do/dgagov.net/uploads/file/
leyes/LEYNO.64-00MEDIOAMBIENTE.pdf
hh Sector Law on Protected Areas. http://www.suprema.gov.do/pdf/leyes/2004/Ley_202-04.pdf
Health: Legislation and Regulations
hh General Health Law. http://www.sisalril.gov.do/archivospdf/leyGeneralSalud.pdf
Water and Sanitation: Legislation and Regulations
As of the date of this document, there is a Water and Sanitation Project under consideration by the Dominican
Government
83
For more information regarding legislation on education in Panama: http://www.oei.es/quipu/panama/index.html#legi
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
85
BIBLIOGRAPHY
hh International Strategy Disaster Reduction
(UNISDR) the Americas. Country profiles:
Dominican Republic.
http://www.eird.org/
perfiles-paises/perfiles/index.php/República_
Dominicana
hh The Global Information Technology Report
2008–2009: Mobility in a Networked World.
h t t p : / / w w w. w e f o r u m . o r g / p d f / g i t r / 2 0 0 9 /
gitr09fullreport.pdf
hh Competitiveness Global Index 2008-2009:
World Economic Forum. http://72.52.156.225/
Estudio.aspx?Estudio=indice-competitividad
hh National Commission for the Society of
Information and Knowledge (CNSIC). http://
www.cnsic.org.do/
hh Electronic Firm Law: http://www.dga.gov.do/
dgagov.net/uploads/file/leyes/Ley_126-02.pdf
hh General Electricity Law: Law No.125-01 of July
26, 2001, amended by Law No.186-07 , ofAugust
6th , 2007. http://www.sie.gov.do/archivos/
leyes/LeyGeneraldeElectricidadNo125-01.pdf
Revision:http://www.suprema.gov.do/pdf/
leyes/2007/Ley_No_186-07.pdf
hh Superintendency of Electricity: Dominican
Republic. http://www.sie.gov.do/
hh Legislation and the Right to Communication
Program: Latin America and the Caribbean
(AMARC): República Dominicana.
http://
legislaciones.item.org.uy/index?q=paises/40
hh Office of the President of the Dominican
Republic. http://www.presidencia.gob.do/app/
frontpage.aspx
hh SUMA: PAHO/WHO Humanitarian Supply
Management System: http://www.disaster-info.
net/SUMA/spanish/index.htm
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
86
LITERATURE
REFERENCES
hh The integration of ICTs in the Cooperation
Agencies for Development: Possibilities,
speech and practice. Manuel Acevedo Ruiz,
July 20, 2004.
hh Regional Integration and ICTs in Central
America. Existing Initiatives and Future
Perspectives.
Integración.
General
Secretariat of the Central American
Integration System SICA, Office of
Information Systems. November, 2002.
hh Sectorial
Policy,
telecommunications
regulation and harmonization and ICTs
in Central America. International of Tele
Communications (UIT), Central American
Tele
Communications
Commission
(COMTELCA). Melo consultan, UIT, Central
American Tele Communications, Panama,
October, 2007.
hh SOS Emergencies: New Challenges for ICTs.
Tele Communications and Sustainable
Development. September 2007. Produced
by: Mercedes Feliz (Division of Telephone
Environmental Management I+D) and
David de San Benito (Corporate Telephone
Responsibility Management).
hh Central American Project for Vulnerability
Reduction in the countries affected by
Hurricane Mitch. Web-site Health and
Disasters in Central America. www.disaster.
info.desastres.net/saludca/desastresCR
San José C.R.
hh INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS
UNIT- General Secretariat. 2007 Contact:
Dr. Tim Kelly Tel.: +41 22 730 5111 Fax: +41
22 730 6453 e-mail: WSIS-Stocktaking@itu.
int
hh The new ICTs Adrián de la Rosa Nolasco,
First Part. Correo del Maestro Núm. 120,
May 2006.
hh Inventory of the CMSI: Activities update
and registration in 2007.
hh Conference on ICTs and e-Government
for Regional Development and the Central
American Integration. César Yammal. Nov.
2002. [email protected]
hh Research
Seminary:
Interdisciplinary
Analysis of the Information Society.
Professor Manuel Castells Oliván.
hh Tele Communication Services Integration
Initiative, The Meso-American Information
Expressway.
Antigua
Guatemala,
November, 2006
hh ICT Applications and Tools for Disaster
Management in the Caribbean. Elizabeth
Riley.
Institution: Caribbean Disaster
Emergency Response Agency - CDERA
Region: Latin America and the Caribbean.
2007
hh Natural Hazards Project of the Unit for
Sustainable Development and Environment.
Organization of American States http://
www.oas.org/nhp o
[email protected].
hh International Telecommunications UnitGeneral Secretariat. 2007 Contact: Dr. Tim
Kelly Tel.: +41 22 730 5111 Fax: +41 22 730
6453 email: [email protected]
hh New Information and Communication
Technologies. Adrián de la Rosa Nolasco,
First part Correo del Maestro Num. 120,
May 2006
hh Inventory of the CMSI: Updating and
recording activities in 2007
hh Information
and
Communication
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
87
Technologies in monitoring and evaluating
natural disasters. Case study. UTEEDA
information network platform for managing
disaster information.
hh Third World, Development, Disasters
and Technology from the point of view
of geography. Ignacio Alonso Climent.
Centre for the development of cooperation
initiatives (CICODE)
hh Information
and
Communication
Technologies at home: November 2005.
ICT-H Survey, INE. Antonio Argüeso ADG
Assistant director, Statistics and Analysis.
INE.
hh Prevention
and
disaster
response,
complement to the policy document on
disaster risk management. Publication
(Reference:
ENV-150),
Environment
Division,
Department
Sustainable
Development 1300 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20 577 Email: infoenv@
iadb.org Fax: 202-623-1786 Website: www.
iadb.org / sds
hh Technology responding to disasters.
Cynthia Gomez, Graciela Prado, Carrasco
Haydee .- Lima: ITDG Soluciones Prácticas,
2007 184 p.
hh Sustainable
Development
/
Human
Development / Climate Change 103/G68
Rating SATIS. OECD ISBN
hh nterdisciplinary program on research and
water management (PRIGA) III Interim
Activities Report (September – December)
2007, Ana Isabel Barquero Elizondo,
Coordinador of PRIGA
ANNEX I
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
88
ANNEX I
Fixed broadband subscribers refers to users of
the Internet subscribing to paid high-speed access
to the public Internet. High-speed access is at least
256 kbit/s in one or both directions. (International
Telecommunication Union).
E-government Web measure index measures
the level of sophistication of a government’s online
presence based on five stages of e-government
evolution: emerging presence, enhanced presence,
interactive presence, transactional presence, and
networked presence (1=best). (UNDESA and
UNPAN).GDP growth is the annual percentage
rate of growth of gross domestic product (GDP)
at market prices based on constant local currency.
Aggregates are based on constant 2000 U.S.
dollars. GDP is the sum of gross value added
by all resident producers in the economy plus
any product taxes and minus any subsidies not
included in the value of the products. It is calculated
without deductions for depreciation of fabricated
assets or for depletion and deg¬radation of natural
resources. (World Bank and Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development).
GNI per capita, World Bank Atlas method, is
gross national income (GNI) converted to U.S.
dollars using the World Bank Atlas method divided
by the midyear population. GNI is the sum of
value added by all resident produc¬ers plus any
product taxes (less subsidies) not included in the
valuation of output plus net receipts of primary
income (compensation of employees and property
income) from abroad. GNI, calculated in national
currency, is usually converted to U.S. dollars at
official exchange rates for comparisons across
economies. The World Bank Atlas method is used
to smooth fluctuations in prices and exchange
rates. It averages the exchange rate for a given
year and the two preceding years, adjusted for
differences in rates of inflation between the country
and the Euro area, Japan, the United Kingdom,
and the United States. (World Bank).
Gross primary, secondary, and tertiary
enrollment is the combined number of students
enrolled in primary, secondary, and tertiary levels
of education, regardless of age, as a percentage
of the population of official school age for the three
levels. (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization Institute for Statistics).
Households with a television are the percentage
of households with a television (a standalone device capable of receiving broadcast
television signals using access means such as
over-the-air, cable, and satellite. (International
Telecommunication Union).
International Internet bandwidth refers to the
capacity which backbone operators provide to carry
Internet traffic. (International Telecommunication
Union and TeleGeography).
International voice traffic is the sum of international
incoming and outgoing telephone traffic (in
minutes).(International Telecommunication Union).
Internet subscribers includes people who pay for
access to the Internet (dial up, leased line, and fixed
broadband). The number of subscribers measures
all those who are paying for Internet use, including
the so-called “free Internet” used by those who pay
via the cost of their telephone call, those who pay
in advance for a given amount of time (prepaid),
and those who pay for a subscription (either flatrate or volume-per-usage based). (International
Telecommunication Union).
Internet users includes subscribers who pay
for Internet access (dial-up, leased line, and
fixed broadband) and people with access to the
worldwide computer network without paying
directly, either as the member of a household, or
from work or school. Therefore, the number of
Internet users will always be much larger than the
number of subscribers, typically by a factor of 2–3
in developed countries and more in developing
countries.
(International
Telecommunication
Union).
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
89
Level of competition, international long
distance, refers to the level of compe¬tition
for international long distance telephone calls
(M = monopoly, P = partial competition, C = full
competition). (International Telecommunication
Union and World Bank).
Level of competition, Internet service, refers to
the level of competition for retail Internet access
service (M = monopoly, P = partial competition, C =
full competition). (International Telecommunication
Union and World Bank).
Level of competition, mobile telephone service,
refers to the level of com¬petition for digital
cellular mobile services (M = monopoly, P = partial
com¬petition, C = full competition). (International
Telecommunication Union and World Bank).
Mobile and fixed-line subscribers per employee
are telephone subscribers (fixed line plus mobile)
divided by the total number of telecommunications
employees. (International Telecommunication
Union).
Mobile cellular subscriptions refer to the number
of subscriptions to a public mobile telephone
service using cellular technology, which provides
access to the Public Switched Telephone Network.
Post-paid and prepaid subscriptions are included.
(International Telecommunication Union).
Mobile telephone usage measures the minutes
of use per mobile user per month. (Wireless
Intelligence)Personal
computers
are
selfcontained computers designed to be used by a
single individual. (International Telecommunication
Union).
Population is based on the de facto definition of
population, which counts all residents regardless of
legal status or citizenship, except for refugees not
permanently settled in the country of asylum, who
are generally con¬sidered part of the population of
their country of origin. Data are midyear estimates.
(World Bank)..
Population covered by mobile cellular
network is the percentage of people that live
within areas served by a mobile cellular signal
regardless of whether they use it. (International
Telecommunication Union).
Price basket for Internet service is calculated
based on the cheapest avail¬able tariff for
accessing the Internet 20 hours a month (10 hours
peak and 10 hours off-peak). The basket excludes
telephone line rental but includes telephone
usage charges if applicable. Data are compiled
in the national currency and converted to U.S.
dollars using the annual average exchange rate.
(International Telecommunication Union)
Price basket for mobile telephone service is
calculated based on the prepaid price for 25 calls
per month spread over the same mobile network,
other mobile networks, and mobile to fixed calls
and during peak, off-peak, and weekend times.
The basket also includes 30 text messages per
month. (International Telecommunication Union)
Price basket for residential fixed line is
calculated as one-fifth of the installation charge,
the monthly subscription charge, and the cost of
local calls (15 peak and 15 off-peak calls of three
minutes each). (International Telecommunication
Union and World Bank)
Price of call to the United States is the cost
of a three-minute, peak-rate, fixed-line call from
the country to the United States. (International
Telecommunication Union)
ICT expenditure comprises computer hardware
(computers, storage devices, printers, and other
peripherals); computer software (operating
sys¬tems, programming tools, utilities, applications,
and internal software devel¬opment); computer
services (information technology consulting,
computer and network systems integration, Web
hosting, data processing services, and other
services); and communications services (voice
and data com¬munications services) and wired
and wireless communications equipment. (Global
Insight and World Information Technology and
Services Alliance)
ICT goods exports and ICT goods imports are
goods that are either intended to fulfill the function
of information processing and communication
by electronic means, including transmission and
display; or use electronic processing to detect,
measure, and/or record physical phenomena or to
control a physical process. ICT goods exports and
imports include the following broad categories:
telecommunications equipment, computer and
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
90
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
related equipment, electronic components, audio
and video equipment, and other ICT goods. Reexports (exports of foreign goods in the same state
as previously imported) are also included. (UN
Comtrade)
ICT service exports includes communications
services (telecommunications, business network
services, teleconferencing, support services, and
postal services) and computer and information
services (database, data processing, software
design and development, maintenance and repair,
and news agency services). (IMF)
Secure Internet servers are the number of
servers using encryption tech¬nology for Internet
transactions. Data listed for 2007 are for December
2008. (Netcraft)
Separate
telecommunications
regulator
indicates whether the country has a separate
telecommunications
regulator.
(International
Telecommunication Union)
Status of main fixed-line telephone operator
indicates whether the incum¬bent fixed-line
operator is a public or private entity. Public refers
to a fully state-owned operator, private refers to a
fully private operator, and mixed refers to a partially
private operator. (International Telecommunication
Union and World Bank)
Telecommunications revenue is revenue from
the provision of telecom¬munications services
such as fixed line, mobile, and data. (International
Telecommunication Union)
Telecommunications investment is total
telecommunications
investment
(capital
expenditure) as a percentage of telecommunications
revenue. (International Telecommunication Union)
Telephone lines are telephone lines connecting
a subscriber’s terminal equipment to the public
switched telephone network and which have a
port on a telephone exchange. The number of
ISDN channels and fixed wireless subscribers
are included. (International Telecommunication
Union)
Urban population is the midyear population
of areas defined as urban in each country and
reported to the United Nations. (United Nations)
Information on the original data providers
The organizations noted above have made the ICT
at a Glance tables possible by sharing their data
and their expertise with us. More important, their
collaboration contributes to the World Bank’s efforts,
and to those of many others, to improve the quality
of life of the world’s people. We acknowledge our
debt and gratitude to all who have helped to build
a base of comprehensive, quantitative information
about ICT.
International Monetary Fund: The International
Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international organization
of 185 member countries established to promote
international monetary cooperation, a stable system
of exchange rates, and the balanced expansion of
international trade and to foster economic growth
and high levels of employment. The IMF reviews
national, regional, and global economic and
financial developments, provides policy advice to
member countries and serves as a forum where
they can discuss the national, regional, and global
consequences of their policies.
The IMF also makes financing temporarily
available to member countries to help them
address balance of payments problems. Among
the IMF’s core missions are the collection and
dissemination of high-quality macroeconomic and
financial statistics as an essential prerequisite for
formulating appropriate policies. The IMF provides
technical assistance and training to member
countries in areas of its core expertise, including
the development of economic and financial data in
accordance with international standards. For more
information, see www.imf.org.
International Telecommunication Union: The
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
is the leading UN agency for information and
communication technologies. ITU’s mission is to
enable the growth and sustained development
of telecommunications and information networks
and to facilitate universal access so that people
everywhere can participate in, and benefit from, the
emerging information society and global economy.
A key priority lies in bridging the so-called Digital
Divide by building information and communication
infrastructure, promoting adequate capacity
building, and developing confidence in the use of
cyberspace through enhanced online security. ITU
also concentrates on strengthening emergency
communications for disaster prevention and
mitigation. For more information, see www.itu.int/.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
91
Netcraft: Netcraft provides Internet security
services such as antifraud and antiphishing services,
application testing, code reviews, and automated
penetration testing. Netcraft also provides research
data and analysis on many aspects of the Internet
and is a respected authority on the market share of
Web servers, operating systems, hosting providers,
Internet service providers, encrypted transactions,
electronic commerce, scripting languages, and
content technologies on the Internet. For more
information, see http://news.netcraft.com/.
United Nations: The United Nations currently has
192 member states. The purposes of the United
Nations, as set forth in the Charter, are to maintain
international peace and security; to develop
friendly relations among nations; to cooperate in
solving international economic, social, cultural, and
humanitarian problems and in promoting respect
for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and to
be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations
in attaining these ends. For more information, see
www.un.org/.
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization, Institute for Statistics:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized
agency of the United Nations that promotes
international cooperation among member states
and associate membersin education, science,
culture and communications. The UNESCO
Institute for Statistics is the organization’s
statistical branch, established in July 1999 to meet
the growing needs of UNESCO member states
and the international community for a wider range
of policy-relevant, timely, and reliable statistics on
these topics. For more information, see www.uis.
unesco.org/.
UNDESA: The Department of Economic and
Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat
(UNDESA) is a vital interface between global
policies in the economic, social and environmental
spheres and national action. The Department
works in three main interlinked areas: it compiles,
generates and analyses a wide range of economic,
social and environmental data and information on
which States Members of the United Nations draw
to review common problems and to take stock
of policy options; it facilitates the negotiations
of Member States in many intergovernmental
bodies on joint courses of action to address
ongoing or emerging global challenges; and it
advises interested Governments on the ways
and means of translating policy frameworks
developed in United Nations conferences and
summits into programmes at the country level and,
through technical assistance, helps build national
capacities. For more information, visit http://www.
un.org/esa/desa/.
UNPAN: The mission of the United Nations Online
Network in Public Administration and Finance
(UNPAN) is to promote the sharing of knowledge,
experiences and best practices throughout the
world in sound public policies, effective public
administration and efficient civil services, through
capacity-building and cooperation among the
United Nations Member States, with emphasis on
south-south cooperation and UNPAN’s commitment
to integrity and excellence. For more information,
visit http://www.unpan.org/.
Wireless Intelligence: Wireless Intelligence is part
of GSM Media LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of
GSMC Limited, the organisation behind the GSMA
Mobile World Congress and GSMA Mobile Asia
Congress. Founded in 1987, The GSM Association
(GSMA) is a global trade association representing
more than 700 GSM mobile phone operators
across 217 territories and countries of the world.
In addition, more than 180 manufacturers and
suppliers support the Association’s initiatives as
associate members. For more information, visit
https://www.wirelessintelligence.com/
World Information Technology and Services
Alliance: The World Information Technology
and Services Alliance (WITSA) is a consortium
of leading information technology industry
associations in over 60 economies. As the global
voice of the information technology industry, WITSA
is dedicated to advocating policies that advance
the industry’s growth and development; facilitating
international trade and investment in information
technology products and services; strengthening
WITSA’s national industry associations; and
providing members with a broad network of
contacts. WITSA also hosts the World Congress
on Information Technology and other worldwide
events. For more information, visit www.witsa.
org/.
Country Profiles: Information and CommunicationTechnologies
Applying Information and Communication Technologies for Disaster Mitigation in the
Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic
92
World Bank: The World Bank is a vital source of
financial and technical assistance for developing
countries. The World Bank is made up of two
unique development institutions owned by 185
member countries—the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the
International DevelopmentAssociation (IDA). These
institutions play different but collaborative roles to
advance the vision of an inclusive and sustainable
globalization. The IBRD focuses on middle-income
and creditworthy poor countries, while IDA focuses
on the poorest countries. Together they provide low-
interest loans, interest-free credits, and grants to
developing countries for a wide array of purposes,
including investments in education, health, public
administration, infrastructure, financial and private
sector development, agriculture, and environmental
and natural resource management. The World
Bank’s work focuses on achieving the Millennium
Development Goals by working with partners to
alleviate poverty. For more information, see www.
worldbank.org/data/.