Solutions for Sustainable and Resilient Communication Infrastructure in Disaster Relief and Management Scenarios

Abstract

As natural disasters become more frequent and severe, ensuring a resilient communications infrastructure is of paramount importance for effective disaster response and recovery. This disaster-resilient infrastructure should also respond to sustainability goals by providing an energy-efficient and economically feasible network that is accessible to everyone. To this end, this paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the technological solutions and strategies necessary to build and maintain resilient communications networks that can withstand and quickly recover from disaster scenarios. The paper starts with a survey of existing literature and related reviews to establish a solid foundation, followed by an overview of the global landscape of disaster communications and power supply management. We then introduce the key enablers of communications and energy resource technologies to support communications infrastructure, examining emerging trends that improve the resilience of these systems. Pre-disaster planning is emphasized as a critical phase where proactive communication and energy supply strategies can significantly mitigate the impact of disasters. We also explore the essential technologies for disaster response, focusing on real-time communications and energy solutions that support rapid deployment and coordination in times of crisis. The paper then presents post-disaster communication and energy management planning for effective rescue and evacuation operations. The main findings derived from the comprehensive survey are also summarized for each disaster phase. This is followed by an analysis of existing vendor products and services as well as standardization efforts and ongoing projects that contribute to the development of resilient infrastructures. A detailed case study of the Turkiye earthquakes is presented to illustrate the practical application of these technologies and strategies. Finally, we address the open issues and challenges in realizing sustainable and resilient communication infrastructures and provide insights into future research directions. By incorporating lessons learned from various disaster scenarios, this paper presents strategic recommendations that enhance the resilience and adaptability of communication systems in the context of disaster relief and management.