IBM has given an “impact grant” to the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF), allowing members to collaborate using cloud technology for ongoing relief efforts for typhoon Yolanda last year.
Composed of two components, the grant will also help better manage similar incidents in the future, the company said in a statement.
“IBM will provide a secure network environment for Grantee members and partners to collaborate and coordinate critical ongoing relief efforts,” the statement said. “Using IBMs cloud technology for social business, disaster collaboration members will be able to effectively share information through both web browsers and mobile apps. In addition, IBM will provide consulting services to assist PDRF staff to quickly set up and customize this platform for their specific use and to on-board and train individual PDRF members and partners.”
In August, IBM conducted a workshop called Disaster Readiness for Non-profits at the AIM Conference Center in Makati City. Through this workshop, IBM assisted individual PDRF members and partners in developing or improving their current disaster preparedness and continuity plans. IBM will provide follow-up support to workshop participants to critique and provide input into their draft plans.
“IBM has been very generous in its support. It is helping make the Philippines a better country,” said Butch Meily, president of PDRF. “Everything we do today will hopefully help prepare us for any future events and help save lives.”
For its part, the company said it is proud to partner with the PDRF “in enabling better disaster management for the Philippines,” said Mariels Almeda Winhoffer, president and country general manager of IBM Philippines.
“The lessons we’ve collectively learned as a business community and as citizens of this country from previous natural disasters such as Haiyan, compel us to find smarter ways of using technology to help anticipate and prepare for such events in the future.”
The grant which has been awarded to PDRF is part of IBMs continuing effort to help strengthen disaster preparedness for the Philippines, in response to the 2013 Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan).
Last year, IBM delivered the IBM Intelligent Operations Center (IOC) with an Integrated Communications System (ICS) to facilitate better and more coordinated disaster management efforts with the DOST and across various government agencies.
