Increasing numbers of children around the world are affected by humanitarian emergencies and there is an urgent need for innovative, scalable, cost-effective approaches to tackling these crises. Alongside this, digital technology is spreading rapidly across the developing world, and the mobile phone is becoming increasingly accessible to families and children affected by disasters. There is […]
Mobile technologies in emergencies Read More »
This report is concerned with the relationship between information and communication technologies (ICTs) and postconflict reconstruction, especially with ways in which ICTs can be used by governments and donors to support the transition from violence to stability. © 2014 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank
The role of information and communication technologies in post conflict reconstruction Read More »
American Red Cross International Services Department (ISD) has piloted and refined applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to its core programming and response activities. In this time, we’ve found that the best tools and the most effcetive approaches meant little without strong relationships with our program staff rooted in their day-to-day realities of program management
A look at the use of communications technology during disasters in recent years shows that while it has played a positive role, its full potential has not yet been realized. Moreover, governments, humanitarian agencies, and local communities face challenges and risks associated with modern technological innovation. These include: – Information flows must be two-way to be effective—from
New technologies in emergencies and conflicts Read More »
This report was commissioned by the United States Institute of Peace’s Center of Innovation for Science, Technology, and Peacebuilding and Haiti Working Group. It examines the role of Ushahidi, a crisis-mapping platform, in the disaster relief effort following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Ushahidi provided the international community with access to actionable intelligence collected directly
Crowdsourcing Crisis Information in Disaster-Affected Haiti Read More »
After a large-scale disaster, there is always a massive effort to collect and analyze large volumes of data and distill from the chaos the critical information needed to target humanitarian aid most efficiently. But the response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti was different. For the first time, members of the community affected by the
Disaster Relief 2.0: The future of information sharing in humanitarian emergencies Read More »
Social media presents new vehicles for interactive communication and user-generated content using an array of Web- and mobile-based tools. As a result, platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are widely used around the world for entertainment but there is growing interest in using them during and following natural or man-made disasters. Due to their ease of use
Social Media in the Disaster Cycle- Useful Tools or Mass Distraction? Read More »
As part of the ongoing close collaboration between OCHA and QCRI, regular conversations on how to improve crisis computing have taken place over the past few years. In May 2014, members of OCHA and QCRI met in Doha to discuss our ongoing efforts and recognized that it is clear that innovations in policy were equally important as innovations in humanitarian technology.
Hashtag Standards for Emergencies Read More »
Sabine Rakotomalala from MHPSS discusses a network supporting psycho-social and mental health that could be leveraged to work with Crisis Mappers.
Can Crisis Mappers Promote Mental Health & Psychosocial Support? Read More »
Google Tech Talk (more below)March 2, 2011 Presented by Zab Vilayil. ABSTRACT Effective early warning systems have been recognized as prudent investments, and when coupled with early preparedness for early response; they help in mitigating conflict and increasing stability. Kenya’s post election violence of 2007/2008 cast a dark shadow in the country as response options
National Violence Outbreak Early Warning System in Kenya Read More »