Sahana is a Free and Open Source Disaster Management system. It is a web based collaboration tool that addresses the common coordination problems during a disaster from finding missing people, managing aid, managing volunteers, tracking camps effectively between Government groups, the civil society (NGOs) and the victims themselves.

• The Sahana system can be deployed on a variety of models, ranging from operating totally within a single notebook computer (with or without a portable Wireless LAN) to a fully distributed, networked platform.
• Can efficiently scale down to a standalone laptop and a secured portable wireless access point for short-range network collaboration
• Access can be provided in the affected region with the support of groups who provide satellite-based wireless LAN connectivity to networks
• Works with the equipment at about 130W, which can be easily supported by a solar panel if power is not available
• It can also synchronize data between multiple instances of Sahana.

Technology

• Plugin Architecture: Allows for the independent development modules by 3rd party groups easy Low hardware Requirements/Scalability: Can run standalone on a low spec laptop without dependency on the internet and can be operated in a fully distributed networked platform.
• Mobility: Can be cloned for field use and data synchronized by peers or between a field installation and a central server
• Portable USB: Can run without installation from a USB drive as a Portable Application where the program and code is contained in the USB flash drive
• Localization Ready: Allows for the system to be translated into any language.
• Granular Security: Access Control can be specified by role, module and action performed
• Adaptable User Interface: Allows for the look and feel of the system to adapt to the device that views it and it can be viewed through a PDA
• Horizontally Scalable: Allows for the system to accommodate a greater load by adding more Sahana servers in parallel cluster.
• Low Power Usage: Works with the equipment at about 130W, which can be easily supported by a solar panel if power is not be available

Sahana has currently been deployed successfully in the following places:

1. Tsunami - Sri Lanka 2005 - Officially deployed in the CNO for the Government of Sri Lanka
2. AsianQuake - Pakistan 2005 - Officially deployed within with NADRA for the Government of Pakistan
3. Southern Leyte Mudslide Disaster - Philippines 2006 - Officially deployed with the NDCC and ODC for the Government of Philippines
4. Sarvodaya - Sri Lanka 2006 - Deployed for Sri Lanka's largest NGO
5. Terre des Hommes - Sri Lanka 2006 - Deployed with new Child Protection Module
6. Yogjarkata Earthquake - Indonesia 2006 - Deployed by ACS, urRemote and Indonesian whitewater association and Indonesian Rescue Source
7. New York City - 2007-08 – Pre-deployed in support of the City of New York’s Coastal Storm Plan
8. Peru Ica Earthquake - 2007 - Deployed for the Government of Peru
9. Chendu - Shizuan Province Earthquake 2008 - Deployed by Chendgu Police

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