May 18th, 2017 12:30 – 15:00
When a disaster strikes, international crisis responders, government agencies and local communities swing into action to support the people affected. Sending relief supplies, setting up reconstruction programs, and sometimes they even put their own life at risk while conducting search and rescue operations. Disaster response is a unique field in which time-pressure and high stakes come together in a challenging operational environment. Science and technology play a crucial role to make sure that the needs of the affected communities are met in a timely manner.
In this workshop, researcher Kenny Meesters, along with Ronald Christiaans, an experienced responder, will provide an introduction into the field of disaster management. What does exactly happen in a large-scale disaster? Why are so many organizations involved and who are they? Why does aid delivery take a long time? And most of all, what challenges do we face in the field and how can we address them?
Are you a bachelor or master student or PhD interested in the field of disaster response and the (potential) role of technology in this field? Or do you want to learn more about the reality of (international) disaster management? Then sign up for this workshop!
Send an e-mail to delftglobal@tudelft.nl.
Kenny Meesters is a PhD student at the faculty of Technology, Policy and Management and has been studying and working in the field disaster management and crisis response for the last 5 years. He has worked in the field in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, Typhoon Yolanda, and the Nepal Earthquake. In his research, he focusses on the use of technology in disasters and how to leverage this potential to support disaster responders and those in need.
Ronald Christiaans is internationally involved in disaster response and training. He is part of the international United Nations response team (UNDAC), as well as for the European Union (EU CPT). Besides providing training and supporting exercises, he has been deployed in several field missions, including the recent deployment to Haiti in response to Hurricane Matthew as deputy team leader.