Digital transformation in disaster risk management: A path to resilience
Digital transformation and data management have become essential to reducing disaster risk around the world. In El Salvador, the National System for Civil Protection, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, established in 2005, has taken significant steps to incorporate digital tools into its operation. This system seeks to strengthen risk management through the implementation of the “Law on Civil Protection, Prevention and Mitigation of Disasters”, which gives the institutions of the system key competencies to foresee and manage disaster-related risks.
These competencies include the incorporation of prospective risk management in development plans and the preparation and updating of risk maps. These actions are critical for disaster prevention, preparedness and response, and require tools that facilitate integrated real-time data analysis for timely decision-making.
A transformation process
From September 2022 to January 2023, GIZ’s Regional Urban Resilience Project collaborated with the Coordination Center for Disaster Prevention in Central America and the Dominican Republic (CEPREDENAC) to train a group of 16 technicians from El Salvador’s General Directorate of Civil Protection in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for the collection, data processing and analysis. Activities included:
- Diagnosis of the current state of data management and access to regional GIS resources.
- Training in the use of GIS tools, such as digital forms and geoportals.
- Advice on the digitalization of existing DGPC tools.
- Feedback on generated GIS products and automation of reports and reports.
In this context, GIZ, in collaboration with the UN SPIDER Agency and the Mexican Space Agency, trained technical teams in the use of radar imagery to improve disaster risk reduction.
National Emergency Registry (RNE) launched during simulation exercise. © Zaira Catota / GIZ
Institutionalization and scaling
Since February 2023, steps have been taken to institutionalize and gradually scale up the use of the National Emergency Registry (RNE by its acronym in Spanish) for emergency management. This phase has included:
- Adjustments to digital tools through consultations with territorial technicians and approval by authorities.
- Preparation of a user manual and training of staff.
- Implementation of a pilot exercise during Holy Week 2023.
- Tool calibration based on pilot exercise results.
- Institutionalization of the RNE for the registration of daily emergencies and preparation for large-scale events.
- Training of Emergency Operations Center (COE by its acronym in Spanish) technicians and simulation exercises.
Access to GIS resources and advice has been fundamental to digitization. Digital transformation is an ongoing process that needs training and technical assistance for those who record and control quality. The escalation must be gradual, incorporating other institutions of the national civil protection system. It is also essential to promote the use of RNE data to inform local authorities and municipalities, as well as to update regulations and procedures to facilitate the digitalization of data records.
Simulation exercise and concrete results
Through the Urban Resilience project, GIZ has promoted these processes to strengthen the capacities of Central American metropolitan regions in the face of natural disasters. In January 2024, together with the General Directorate of Civil Protection of El Salvador, a simulation exercise was carried out to evaluate different scenarios in the event of earthquakes, commemorating the earthquake of January 13, 2021, in El Salvador. This exercise was a reminder of the importance of being prepared for these types of events.
During the simulation, the National Emergency Registry (RNE) was tested, a platform promoted through the Urban Resilience project for the real-time recording and analysis of incidents reported in the territory. Thus, the RNE becomes a crucial tool for timely decision-making in the face of daily emergencies and disasters, contributing to an effective response and minimizing the impact on the lives of people and communities.
Having human and technological capabilities is key to successful and timely crisis management in the region. This process has generated concrete results, such as:
- Consultations conducted with 25 territorial technicians to redesign and validate tools.
- Training of 611 territorial technicians, of which 70 are from the
- Metropolitan Area of San Salvador.
- Preparation of manuals and training of registrars and supervisors.
- Platform approved and used for a pilot test, with the participation of 611 technicians.
- Calibrated portals and dashboards for day-to-day emergency management.
Towards effective crisis management
Digital transformation in disaster risk management in El Salvador is a vital step towards greater resilience to adverse situations. With a focus on training and efficient use of data, the National Civil Protection System is improving its capacity to protect the population and respond effectively at critical moments.
Having human and technological capabilities is key to successful and timely crisis management in the region. The implementation of these processes is not only necessary, but urgent, to ensure a safer and more resilient future for all Salvadoran communities.