HIC Mobilization Myanmar

[Andrew]

In an effort to keep everyone updated on IM support to the Myanmar
Cyclone disaster, OCHA would like to inform you that on the request of
the RC a.i, a Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC) has been
mobilized. OCHA IM staff on the ground in Bangkok are evaluating the
situation to initiate the next steps in the mobilization, and we will
keep you informed on the next steps. The following outlines the
objectives, strategy and expected outputs of a possible HIC related to
this crisis.

Objectives
•To support the national authorities and the humanitarian community in
the systematic and standardized collection, processing and
dissemination of information with the aim of improving coordination,
situational understanding and decision-making.

Strategy
The HIC will complement the information management capabilities of the
national authorities in Myanmar, in-country development and
humanitarian actors, and in particular, the Myanmar Information
Management Unit (MIMU), in order to optimize the response and meet the
needs of the affected population. It will also advocate for and
provide guidance on good information management practice in support of
common standards and practices. More specifically, the HIC will
support the humanitarian community by strengthening the process of
systematic and standardized collection, processing and dissemination
of information with the aim of improving coordination, situational
understanding and decision making.
Humanitarian Actions

•Offer a full range of HIC services through deployment of HIC staff
and equipment to Myanmar, supporting information exchange among the
clusters and humanitarian community to make informed and operational
decisions;
•In the initial phase, information to be provided will include:
Contact directories, meeting schedules, situation reports, meeting
minutes, Who does What Where, and mapping services all guided by the
principles of information management and exchange in emergencies;
•Once the HIC is established on the ground, technical support and
advice will be provided to cluster/sector leads in order to establish
the systems and processes needed for effective information sharing
with cluster partners related to inter-cluster coordination and cross-
cluster programming;
•Provision of technical IM advice to Cluster/Sectors on survey design
for needs assessments and other data collection activities;
•Promote use of integrated data standards such as data sharing and use
of information standards.

Expected Outputs
•Provision of information products and services that enable the
humanitarian community to deliver assistance more effectively
following principles of good practice in information management;
•Availability of accurate and timely information for the effective
provision of humanitarian assistance;
•Provision of access to individuals and organisations at field and
strategic levels to information management tools for assessments,
planning, implementation and monitoring of humanitarian assistance.

[Paul C]

Thanks Andrew

I've put together a short overview of some of the ICT activities
around Cyclone Nargis, at http://www.humanitarian.info/2008/05/10/cyclone-nargis-you-know/.
If anybody knows of any other initiatives that might be worth
listening, please let me know and I'll update.

cheers

Paul C

cheers

Paul C