Kathmandu, March 18 Minister for Information and Communications Sherdhan Rai has said that the Ministry of Information and Communications is preparing to formulate a new policy with regards to integrated utilisation of information and communications technology (ICT) in three phases of natural disaster — pre-disaster and post-disaster and during calamity. Minister Rai shared that the policy would include information technology used by the developed countries during natural disasters. Inaugurating a conference on ‘Role and Utilisation of Information and Communications Technology in Time of Natural Disasters’ here today, Rai said that the idea to make this policy follows the role of information technology during the devastating April 25 earthquake. “The role and utilisation of information and communications technology remained positive throughout the quake, in rescue operations, distribution of relief materials and rehabilitation of the quake survivors. So, taking the experiences gained from the past natural disasters, the ministry has initiated discussions on formulating a new policy related to information technology to tackle challenges during natural disasters,” he said. He also said that he has held broad discussions on the utilisation of information technology in times of natural disasters with ambassadors of Japan and the US to Nepal last week and added that the home ministry and the defence ministry would also coordinate in the formulation of the policy. Organised by the Internet Society Nepal (ISN), telecom service providers and various organisations working in the field of information and communications technology are participating in the two-day conference. The conference is also expected to make important recommendations to help in formulating the policy.