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Mobile technology in humanitarian situations. A look at case studies conducted in Syria, Peru, Indonesia and Kenya. Presented by: Buhlebomzi Ndukwana. Case studies. Delivering Food aid to Iraqi refugees in Syria Facilitating Communication in emergency situations: Peru, Indonesia.
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Mobile technology in humanitarian situations A look at case studies conducted in Syria, Peru, Indonesia and Kenya. Presented by: Buhlebomzi Ndukwana
Case studies • Delivering Food aid to Iraqi refugees in Syria • Facilitating Communication in emergency situations: Peru, Indonesia
Delivering food aid to Iraqi refugees • WFP had to make choices about who they provide with food aid • The estimate was that 50 000 were in need of food aid • WFP was looking for innovative ways to stretch the donations • The problem was distribution
continued • “…we started distributing food to refugees in Damascus, but how were we going to announce distribution?”-Haitham El Noush • The refugees had access to mobile phones • The idea of using text messages was born… • WFP contacted a local cell phone provider • The company agreed to sponsor the first 800 text messages free • Eventually an account was set up, to lower costs
challenges • Messages targeted only on the phone numbers on the list • People assuming that the message was an entitlement • People not checking eligibility on the provided website • People changing phone numbers
outcome • The 800 free messages were successful • In the first six months 35 000 messages were sent reaching 140 000 eligible people • Messages successfully delivered to families • Families felt a sense of being cared for • The programme has grown
In 2011 • They use PDAs for bigger data sets • Simple mobile phone for smaller data • It makes their work easier as well as that of data entry clerks • The next step is tablets • Data collection is 20-30% faster • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AJ6XtToNeo
Facilitating communication in emergency situations • 15 August 2007, an earthquake struck the coast of Peru • Brought buildings down and disrupted communications • Emergency aid was dispatched from all over the world • These groups would need communication technology • Someone had to help in this regard
Telecoms sans frontieres • Founded in 1998, headquarters in Pau France • Workers are volunteers: university graduates and professionals over 50 years • Initially to provide disaster survivors with 3minute calls to families • Use mainly satellite communication equipment • Equipment is constantly upgraded and developed to meet the rapidly changing needs
challenges • Keeping up with changes in technology • Determining ways to best adapt new technologies to meet needs in the field • Ensuring sustainability
Next steps • After assignments, staff conduct a debriefing • TSF is looking to expand the use of their facilities • Looking for ways to open cyber cafes in relief areas • Exploring ways to play a greater role in prevention efforts • Also looking at expanding the use of mobile technology
Recent case • Mobile technology recently played a role in a humanitarian situation • Social media in the “Egyptian revolution” • Facebook and YouTube campaigns • “technosociality”
quote • “this is not the future, it’s the now ”- Andrew trench
