Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on May 2, 2008. It quickly became one the most destructive natural disasters that Myanmar has ever seen. Over 100,000 people have been killed by the 120-mph winds and tsunami that followed.
The Myanmar junta’s response was only to create more destruction. Myanmar’s ruling generals took several weeks to accept international aid workers into their country. The U.N. estimates that 1 million of the 2 million Cyclone Nargis victims received aid within 3 weeks.
Incapable of immediately sending aid workers to the scene, the U.N. had difficulty coordinating its relief efforts and couldn’t see the situation clearly. Many victims of cyclones left without enough shelter, food, or safe water.
There are many natural disasters that can occur around the globe. However, quick and efficient relief efforts can reduce the damage caused by hurricanes, tornadoes or earthquakes.
Many relief organizations make use of new technology to assist people in crisis. TechRadium, a Texas-based software company, created the Immediate Response Information System, (IRIS) for the American Red Cross. IRIS allows an authorized person to send a single message to thousands of contacts within seconds.
IRIS automatically transmits its message via phone calls and faxes. The system’s contact information can be backed up at various locations across the country so it is virtually crashproof.
IRIS can instantly deliver voice and text messages in ten languages, including English, Spanish Chinese, French, German Vietnamese, Japanese, Italian Portuguese, Korean, and Vietnamese. IRIS is affordable and can be used for emergency communication at a fraction of the cost.
Visit this website to learn more about IRIS, and whether it is right for you. www.useiris.com.
