For information only - not an official document

UNIS/MA/31
23 October 2013

MEDIA ADVISORY

The media is invited to attend the Launch of the

World Disasters Report 2013

Focus on technology and the future humanitarian action

On

Wednesday, 30 October 2013, at 2.00 p.m.

at the Vienna International Centre (VIC), Room C1, Building C (2nd Floor)

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the Permanent Mission of Norway and the Austrian Red Cross cordially invite you to the presentation of the 2013 edition of the World Disasters Report - which has a focus on technology and the future of humanitarian action.

The World Disasters Report, which has been published annually since 1993, brings together the latest trends, facts and analysis of contemporary catastrophes and their effect on vulnerable populations worldwide. This year's edition examines the impact of technological innovations on humanitarian action, how humanitarians employ technology in new and creative ways, and what risks and opportunities may emerge as a result of technological advancements. The Report is proposing new information and communication technology tools for humanitarian action that can detect needs earlier and predict crises better, enabling better response and increasing accountability and transparency.

Speakers include:

Patrick Vinck, Editor of the World Disasters Report 2013 and Associate Faculty, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative

Matthias Schmale, Under Secretary General of National Society and Knowledge Development, IFRC

Andreas Papp, Delegate and Program Director, Doctors Without Borders, Austria

Markus Woltran, Space Applications Section, UNOOSA

Christophe Bois, iMMAP & CartOng, The Nomad Project, Humanitarian Operations Mobile Acquisition of Data (NOMAD)

The event will be moderated by Max Santner, Head of International Cooperation, Austrian Red Cross.

Presentations will be followed by a Q&A session.

For more information, see http://www.un-spider.org/event/2013WDR

Participation requires a VIC grounds pass. Media representatives who wish to attend and who are not accredited to the VIC should contact press@unvienna.org

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For additional information please contact:

Sinead HARVEY
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-8718
Email: sinead.harvey[at]unoosa.org