2004 Tsunami - Digital Divide

The 2004 Tsunami highlighted the digital divide as the people monitoring the earthquake sent e-mails to the countries who were going to be effected. However, less economically developed couldn't recieve the warning as they didn't have access to the internet. After the Tsunami, the communication systems were damaged or overwhelmed by people sending messages and phone calls to people at the time.

Because some communication lines were physically damaged, one hospital posted photos on their website for people to see if they knew anyone who was there. This is one way of presenting information on a different way. Another case was a man called Vijaykumar who run a telecenter in India. He recieved the information about a Tsunami before anyone in south india did. This is an example of recieving information quickly. The Nallavadu Telecenter, where Vijaykumar was a volunteer, is part of the Open Knowledge Network, an initiative that provides communities in developing countries tools and skills. Because the Nallavadu Telecenter had the ICT skills to gather information and get it out by text messages and public adress systems, they saved thousands of lives. This is an example of people greater interactions between individuals and organisations. People were bought together via the internet as they recieved e-mails from their loved ones so they could be reunited easily. Also, websites which posted messages and pictures bought people together as they were reunited in that way.

Older communication systems wern't used as apose to new ones because most of the older communication systems were physcially damamged (such as telephone lines) because of the Tsunami. Instead newer systems were in place such as text and e-mail which people can receive directly and instantly. Text and E-mails were very effective as people could know if their loved ones were ok directly. Also, internet websites purpose was forfilled as people recognised their loved ones from pictures on the website.

The URL for the information I found is http://www.digitaldivide.net/articles/view.php?ArticleID=84