Group items tagged

Between 2004 and 2013, there was a 430% increase in global funding requirements for humanitarian appeals, while the number of people affected nearly doubled.

are under increasing pressure to cut spending

more than half of the world’s refugees live in urban areas

A bird’s eye view of a disaster-affected area simply captures far more information than most Earth-based data-collection technologies can.

fraction of the cost with far fewer licensing and data-sharing restrictions than satellite imagery.

Rotary-wing UAVs were used to support search and rescue efforts, looking for survivors amongst massive fields of debris left behind by the unprecedented storm surge (see below).

drones truly become standard operation procedure in humanitarian crises? Experts consulted by Devex believe so, although they do admit mass use of these devices will have to overcome serious challenges, like their relatively high price and legal issues over privacy and sovereignty rights.

ncluding global positioning system, thermal imaging and live video streaming

faster disaster assessment means faster disaster response, which, ultimately, saves lives.

Kenya is the first country in the world to use mobile phones for cash transfers.

real-time monitor-ing, tagging and geo-location of relevant reports published on mainstream and social media

Google Spreadsheets was simply not de-signed to facilitate real-time monitoring, tagging and geo-location tasks by hundreds of digital volunteers collaborating synchronously and asynchronously across multiple time zones.

I often describe micro-tasking as “smart crowdsourcing”.

We agreed that technology decisions should not be pushed down the development process, from donor to implementer, to health system, to CHW.

engagement with all frontline health workers