Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
Encyclopedia
The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) is a joint initiative of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
and the European Commission
that serves to consolidate and improve the dissemination of disaster-related information, in order to improve the coordination of international relief efforts
.
GDACS (Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System) is established in 2004 by Tom de Groeve. It is a multi-hazard disaster monitor and alert system for earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, volcanoes and tropical cyclones. It was created to reduce the various monitor websites for the different disaster types. It started as GDAS, but was later coupled with the coordination information system of OCHA (the OCHA Virtual OSOCC). GDACS collects near real-time hazard information and combines this with demographic and socio-economic data to perform a mathematical analysis of the expected impact. This is based on the magnitude of the event and possible risk for the population. The result of this risk analysis is distributed by the gdacs.org website and alerts are send via email, fax and SMS to subscribers in the disaster relief community, and all other persons that are
interested in this information.
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs , is a United Nations body formed in December 1991 by General Assembly Resolution 46/182...
and the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
that serves to consolidate and improve the dissemination of disaster-related information, in order to improve the coordination of international relief efforts
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
.
GDACS (Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System) is established in 2004 by Tom de Groeve. It is a multi-hazard disaster monitor and alert system for earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, volcanoes and tropical cyclones. It was created to reduce the various monitor websites for the different disaster types. It started as GDAS, but was later coupled with the coordination information system of OCHA (the OCHA Virtual OSOCC). GDACS collects near real-time hazard information and combines this with demographic and socio-economic data to perform a mathematical analysis of the expected impact. This is based on the magnitude of the event and possible risk for the population. The result of this risk analysis is distributed by the gdacs.org website and alerts are send via email, fax and SMS to subscribers in the disaster relief community, and all other persons that are
interested in this information.