Mobile Technology in Emergencies

"Children across the world are affected by humanitarian emergencies and there is urgent need for innovative approaches to tackling such crises more effectively. Mobile phones are increasingly accessible to those affected by crisis and can play a strategic role in the delivery of rapid, cost-effective, scalable humanitarian assistance"

How can the full potential of mobile phones to work as transformative tools in emergency response be realised? It is this question that led Save the Children and the Vodaphone Foundation to interview emergency response staff in 6 countries (Niger, Kenya, Somalia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan) to identify 3 key themes that should be addressed: increasing accountability, building preparedness, and prioritising collaboration. Part of the report's efforts to outline some of the ways in which information and communication technology (ICT) can be used to address the challenges in a crisis involves looking at mobile cash transfers, which "have been a leading context for the use of mobiles in emergencies and have important lessons for the wider use of mobile technology."

Specifically, to realise the potential of mobile phones in emergency response, the report argues that the following strategic issues must be addressed:

1. Ensure accountability to beneficiaries. This is "an ongoing challenge in emergency response environments, because it is costly and time-consuming to facilitate two-way communications. The most vulnerable are often excluded and there is the risk that increased use of mobile technology could exacerbate this trend. However, when used effectively, there are powerful ways in which the use of mobile phones can facilitate the flow of information and empower new voices, including the most marginalised, to participate and inform the humanitarian response. Mobile phones can be used as tools for conducting needs assessments, facilitating rapid mass communication, and improving transparency through feedback and complaints mechanisms."
2. Build preparedness. "There is a widespread lack of awareness regarding how mobile phones can be used in emergency response. The main reasons for this are a lack of training for humanitarian staff, a lack of preparedness and the limited opportunity to innovate in the high-pressure environment of an unfolding emergency. There is significant opportunity for coordinated training, building organisational capacity and equipping staff in advance of an emergency so that they are confident and competent to realise the benefits of mobile technology."
3. Prioritise collaboration. "The use of mobiles in emergency response is hampered by a lack of collaboration and knowledge-sharing between humanitarian agencies, MNOs [mobile network operators] and governments....Realising the potential of mobile phones in emergencies is dependent upon determined collaboration between all stakeholders, investing time and resources in building partnership and shared understanding before an emergency. This enables efficient and coordinated responses that utilise the strengths of each sector and facilitate integrated solutions."

The report makes a series of recommendations for:

International non-governmental organisations (INGOs)

• Introduce and prioritise mobile-based services throughout emergency preparedness, contingency planning, and response. These services might include rapid needs assessments, large-scale 2-way communication, and "feedback and complaints" systems.
• Ensure that this is prepared for in advance by training staff and establishing databases of beneficiary contacts and software for processing. Also, plan for appropriate hardware to be available in a response, with global-level technical specialist staff to provide training and guidance.
• Work with other agencies within the cluster system to move towards mainstreaming mobile-enhanced responses to emergencies, recognising that lack of coordination and collaboration on the use of mobiles in the current humanitarian system can act as a barrier to effective response.
• Advocate for agreements from relevant authorities for use of mobile phones in different emergency scenarios, negotiating and agreeing on partnership models with MNOs in vulnerable, high-risk countries.

MNOs

• Prioritise increasing network coverage for the most remote areas in the midst of emergencies, utilising available innovative technologies.
• Develop a training programme, including simulation exercises, that can help humanitarian agencies learn about the range of different uses of mobile phones and how these can be applied in emergencies.
• Work with INGOs to transition from single-function to multi-function services through mobiles.
• Work to facilitate temporary reductions in service charges to allow more partnerships with INGOs for mobile cash transfer in emergency contexts.

Governments

• Recognise the need to incorporate emergency support for communications as an essential component of response efforts.
• Work to improve national regulatory environments to facilitate effective national mobile-based interventions and allow data sharing for humanitarian purposes.

In addition, it is recommended that Save the Children and Vodafone: (i) collaborate to build the capacity of humanitarian workers by developing a comprehensive training programme based on a "Mobiles in Emergencies Universal Resource Pack"; and (ii) conduct field testing of the proposed solutions in a selected country, assessing viability and engaging directly with beneficiaries.

The report concludes with 9 annexes. Amongst them is Annex E, which provides an illustrative overview of 15 ways in which mobiles could be used in emergencies, covering: feedback and information gathering resources; mobile cash transfer; decision-making resources; content and communication resources; and "big data" management. Annex F builds on this by listing and describing 16 examples of different mobile data collection tools, such as Ushahidi and FrontlineSMS, which are currently being used in humanitarian situations.