Date post: | 01-Apr-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | skyler-brockman |
View: | 218 times |
Download: | 0 times |
MOBILE TECHNOLOGY TO ASSESS THE NEEDS
OF IDP POPULATIONS
SUPPORTING HUMANITARIANS TO MAKE FASTER AND SMARTER DECISIONS
IDP R U OK?
Challenge Description
Military operations have provoked the internal displacement of hundreds of families.
Humanitarian partners need to gain accurate needs assessment data of affected area(s)
Security guarantees neededHeavy snow and area with
patchy mobile reception.
SECURITY IS PARAMOUNT!
1. Security Assessment = Situation awareness (through contacting Government officials, local NGOs, local journalists, mullahs, teachers…)
Is access to the affected areas possible? 3 potential scenarios according to the security
assessment 1. YES, we can send our own staff 2. NO, we cannot send our own staff 3. Some affected areas YES, some other NO
HOW to conduct the survey?
FOR ALL SCENARIOS, consider: 1. Smart phones with data collection software
2. SMS: Text message and Frontline SMS
3. Paper (Always as a back up!)
MULTI PLATFORM/MULTI CHANNEL APPROACHES
1. Paper (Always as a back up!)
• ProsEasyCheapUniversal
• ConsTime consuming on translation and data entry
Human errorData lost (i.e. questionnaires lost, damaged, confiscated…)
It takes a lot storage space
• ProsCheapSaves timeImmediate track of informationSafe data sentLess security issue for the staff
• ConsSecurity considerations in case of phone lose (data
protection)Need for trainingPower Issue (i.e. batteries)
2. SMS tech: 1/ Text message and 2/
FrontlineSMS
1/ How to use SMS for Assessments
OBJECTIVE: To collect data into SMS to be sent to head office for analysis* For example: Surveyor has the short
questionnaire in paper (or even memorized) i.e.: 1. Location of survey 2. No of family members, 3. Place of origin, 4. Date of displacement, 5. Main needs…
SMS would look like: 1. Helmand 2. 7 3. Kandahar 4. 19/01/12
5. Shelter, food…* If no mobile coverage, save messages as DRAFTS and send when on coverage area
2/ How to use Frontline SMS
Requirements for assessments: Frontline SMS application Java Enabled mobile phones Questionnaire survey forms into a frontline SMS form
Simultaneously –with local radio stations:1. Humanitarians to give interviews and participate
in call-in shows2. Set up a temporary Emergency SMS News
Service to reach a selected number of IDPs and local populations (i.e. mulah, teacher…)
1. People can also text in and ask questions to the radio station/humanitarians
2. (2-way communication)
Frontline SMS Form
Requirements• Server• Database• Application Program• Training methodologies and standard Operating Procedure• Pros
No more paperImmediate data collection and real time analysis
• ConsSafety of data and losing the phoneCostTechnical support for more complex data analysis
3. Smart Phones with data collection software
Open Data Kit (ODK)
ODK is a free and open-source data collection software1. Build a data collection from or survey2. Collect the data on a mobile device
and send it to the server3. Aggregate the collected data on a
server and extract it in useful formats.
ODK form
USHAHIDI platform
1. SCENARIO “YES”
“Safe Access” - We can send our own staff:
Preferred option: Smart phones*
and paper as back up
* Discrete and cheap smart phones, low profile (USD80/each)
SCENARIO 2: “NO ACCESS SITUATION”
Multi-platform/channel approach Channel 1: Train local staff from partner organization in
the area to conduct the assessment Train them on using Paper, SMS, Smart Phones
AND Channel 2: Connect with local Radio station Humanitarians talking to IDPs through the radio,
asking them to report IDPs call-in and talking about their problems IDPs Texting their problems
AND Channel 3: Blasting SMS to IDPs AND Channel 4: Contact Mullah, Shorah and other local
institutions and obtain information/pass information
SCENEARIO 3: “Yes and NO”
There is access to some affected areas, Not to some others Combination of solutions from scenario 1
and 2
Need for PARTNERSHIPS: Humanitarians, Gov and Telecoms
Approach the Telecommunication companies with the support of Ministry of Telecommunications.
Issues to be discussed:1. Request for access to geographical data of
the transmitter and coverage in certain areas2. Possibility of doing targeted SMS blasting to
send i.e. security advisory, evacuation, 3. Possibility of setting up a free SMS short
code for people to text in emergency situations
Recommendations for Humanitarians, Telecommunication companies and
Government
Stakeholders: UNHCR, UNOPS, WFP, IOM; Ministry of the Telecommunications, Ministry of the Refugee and Repatriation, Emergency and Disaster Management Office)
1. Humanitarians to produce GIS maps with information of Geographical data of mobile transmitter and coverage plus location of local Radio Stations – to be overlaid with disaster maps
2. Round table on Humanitarian communications with Telecommunication companies and Government
Disaster Map – Landslide
Thanks for your attention.
d
Questions please?