• Smart Alerts, Safer Communities: The Role of Mobile Warning Applications in Natural Disaster Management – A Narrative Review
  • Negar Mobasheri,1,* Ali Bejani,2
    1. Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
    2. Student Research Committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran


  • Introduction: The rising occurrence of natural disasters necessitates effective crisis management strategies. Mobile applications are essential for improving community readiness and response. Given the prevalence of smartphones, disaster apps provide crucial alerts and information throughout crises. These applications leverage mobile technology for public safety, exemplified by the Earthquake Network app, which detects seismic activity. The success of these apps relies on their usability, prompt notifications, and public trust. Inadequate design or delays can exacerbate vulnerability. Consequently, it is imperative to develop these applications with robust engineering practices to ensure usability and dependability.
  • Methods: We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases, as well as the Google Scholar search engine, using the keywords “Disaster warning apps” “Emergency alert applications” and “Natural disaster early warning systems” over the past five years. We selected those relevant to the objectives of our study and reviewed their abstracts to extract useful data and insights
  • Results: Warning applications are effective tools for managing resources and mitigating natural disaster impacts. They inform the public about risks through rapid and precise information dissemination. The proliferation of smartphones facilitates widespread sharing of warning and prevention messages. This accessibility bolsters societal resilience through features like location tracking and emergency communication. Furthermore, GPS and IoT technologies enhance alert accuracy and assist crisis management. Direct communication between applications and official entities mitigates misinformation and fosters user trust in alerts. Ultimately, investment in the development and improvement of these applications is a crucial component of national disaster management strategies. By encouraging the use of these tools and integrating them into official emergency response systems, the human and financial impacts of future crises can be significantly reduced.
  • Conclusion: Warning applications are powerful modern tools that play a critical role in managing resources and minimizing damage caused by natural disasters. They equip societies to confront disasters by providing timely and precise information. The widespread use of smartphones facilitates the efficient dissemination of this crucial information across diverse demographics. These applications enhance societal resilience through features such as real-time updates, emergency communication, and crisis training. Technologies like GPS and IoT improve alert accuracy and decision-making in emergency management. Additionally, their integration with official entities ensures information credibility and fosters user confidence. Investment in these technologies is essential for enhancing disaster preparedness. Their integration into national strategies can mitigate the adverse effects of future emergencies on human lives and economic resources.
  • Keywords: Disaster warning apps, Emergency alert systems, Crisis management, Mobile applications, Natural disa