AbstractNatural events continue to take a heavy toll on human lives. Added to this are the challenge of dynamic at-risk settings, uncertainty, and increasing threats, which demand holistic, flexible, and quickly adaptable solutions. In this context, mobile applications are strongly emerging as communication tools that can assist in disaster reduction. Yet, these have not been sufficiently evaluated. In view of this, the aim of this research is to evaluate the adequacy of mobile applications in disaster risk reduction in reference to some of the deadliest natural events. To this purpose, a two-part methodology is developed. Firstly, a random sample of applications is evaluated and contrasted with the literature. Secondly, the viability of mobile applications is determined based on the Digital Application Potential Index proposed by the authors, cross-referenced in Geographical Information Systems with the WorldRiskIndex. The results show that most mobile applications limit their coverage range to only one stage of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and one type of hazard event, failing to address systemic risk and hampering the scale-up of humanitarian response. For these to become adequate and wide-reaching, strong policies to promote reliability, transparency, and citizen empowerment would be required. The policies establishing the use of mobile applications as a viable tool for DRM must consider reducing the prices of internet connectivity while increasing educational levels, on top of language translation. At this point, the adoption of mobile applications is unable to ensure DRM communication, especially in countries with higher-risk levels, requiring these to be complemented with auxiliary tools. Graphic abstract

中文翻译：

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评估移动应用程序在减灾方面的充分性

摘要自然事件继续对人类生命造成重大损失。除此之外，还面临着动态风险环境、不确定性和不断增加的威胁的挑战，这需要全面、灵活且快速适应的解决方案。在此背景下，移动应用程序作为有助于减灾的通信工具正在蓬勃发展。然而，这些尚未得到充分评估。有鉴于此，本研究的目的是参考一些最致命的自然事件来评估移动应用程序在减少灾害风险方面的充分性。为此，开发了一种由两部分组成的方法。首先，对应用程序的随机样本进行评估并与文献进行对比。其次，移动应用程序的可行性是根据作者提出的数字应用程序潜力指数来确定的，并在地理信息系统中与世界风险指数进行交叉引用。结果表明，大多数移动应用程序的覆盖范围仅限于灾害风险管理（DRM）的一个阶段和一种灾害事件，未能解决系统性风险并阻碍了人道主义响应的扩大。为了使这些措施变得充分和广泛，需要强有力的政策来促进可靠性、透明度和公民赋权。将移动应用程序的使用作为 DRM 的可行工具的政策必须考虑降低互联网连接的价格，同时除了语言翻译之外还要提高教育水平。此时，移动应用程序的采用无法确保DRM通信，尤其是在风险水平较高的国家，需要辅以辅助工具。图文摘要