The Effectiveness of Data Management and ICT In Enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction Among Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas)

M. A. Ibrahim Ph.D

doi:10.56201/ijcsmt.vol.12.no2.2026.pg40.51

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The Effectiveness of Data Management and ICT In Enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction Among Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas)

M. A. Ibrahim Ph.D

Abstract

In recent years, the world has witnessed an increase in both the frequency and severity of natural disasters. These disasters have had devastating effects on communities, thereby causing loss of life, displacement of people, and destruction of infrastructures. Globally, African countries are amongst the most vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters with West Africa having increasing numbers of people faced with disaster risks associated with drought, desertification, floods, the spread of disease (as a result of unhealthy conditions and poor hygiene), desert locust plagues, food insecurity, coastal erosion, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes (tremors) and technological accidents, including transport and industrial accidents. In 2013, the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction estimates put economic losses from 147 recorded disasters at about US$ 1.3 billion. The impacts of these hazardous events were aggravated by increasing urbanization, population growth and lack of appropriate human and material capacities to prevent, mitigate and respond to disasters due to a high incidence of poverty. The aforementioned may not be unconnected with the ineffectiveness of data management and ICT, two key elements that are very germane in enhancing disaster risk reduction. This study therefore examined the effectiveness of data management and ICT in enhancing disaster risk reduction among Economic Community of West African States and concluded that for ECOWAS to achieve disaster risk reduction, there is need to embrace data management and ICT for mitigation of disasters in the region. The study therefore suggested that Disaster management agencies should enhance data management practices by implementing a robust data accuracy, consistency, and completeness checks while Government and disaster management agencies should Improve Communication Systems, develop local systems for disseminating warning messages and ensure a two-way flow of communication.

Keywords

Data ManagementICTDisaster Risk ReductionECOWASEffectiveness

References

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The Effectiveness of Data Management and ICT In Enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction Among Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas)

Abstract

Keywords

References

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