The training was organized under a project on Strengthening Disaster Prevention Approaches in Eastern Africa (STEDPEA) Implemented by UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa and Uganda National Commission for UNESCO (UNATCOM) with support and funding from the government of Japan, UNATCOM organized a national training workshop to build the capacity of disaster Management Committees across the country on use of artificial intelligence for disaster risk reduction in Uganda.
The project aims at supporting the development and integration of science-evidenced measures such as artificial intelligent (AI) innovations, citizen science and gender-responsive actions into strategies and action plans for disaster risk reduction in schools, communities and public sector institutions in Eastern Africa. Among several outcomes, the project implementation is expected to enable state and non-state institutions use and apply artificial intelligence in disaster response.
Officials from District Disaster Management Committees and CSO’s posing for a group photo during the training
The Secretary General, UNATCOM in her opening remarks noted that Al Chabot Smartphone Application for DRR developed by UNESCO in Partnership with Japanese partners (Weather news Inc. and LINE Cooperation) is expected to help citizens interact with local authorities to better prepare, respond and recover from disasters. The Chat bot enables users to receive early warning on future disasters and allow them to report any damage (with pictures and georeferenced information) when disasters occur. The data is processed by AI to generate a map so that relief agencies and government can utilize it for identifying the worst hit locations that need urgent rescue.
The training was attended by representatives of District Disaster Management Committees, Civil society Organisation, Universities, Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies whose mandate is in line with Disaster prevention and management.