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.

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Questions please?