Analysing these five key mobile applications exposes the transition of humanitarian workers relying on pencil and paper, to more accurate and speedier digital means of carrying out their work.
From the supply chain process to technical equipment, data collection and analysis, technology is empowering operations to be more agile, timely and precise which in turn can enable faster responses and save more lives.
1. KOBOTOOLBOX
The free and open holistic data collection app
The app that has reformed humanitarian data collection was developed by cofounders Phuong Pham and Patrick Vinck after researching humanitarian situations in Central African Republic, northern Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. It was recognised by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) as a useful and effective tools for humanitarian assessment and was formally adapted and adopted for humanitarian users. Read more...
2. TraceRX
The app empowering humanitarian supply chains
The TraceRx platform is a simple to use system designed to track and trace any commodity across a fractured supply chain at a granular level. Founder and CEO Matthew Rosen explains how the app was developed as a result of his frustration about the inefficiency and corruption inhibiting aid delivery.
TraceRX has been designed so that the user experience is as simple and inviting as possible so that users spend less time acclimating to the technology and more time benefiting from it.
3. ACAPS CrisisAlert
The expert analysis crisis information app
ACAPS is a free information provider who specialise in humanitarian needs analysis and assessment. They help crisis responders to better understand how to address disasters around the world.
Humanitarian contexts change constantly and unexpectedly, which is why ACAPS developed the CrisisAlert app, which provides analysis on over 40 crises daily. The can be used offline, and notifies the users as soon as the situation changes, which aims to speed up the decision-making process and subsequent humanitarian response.
4. Oxfam Equipment Catalogue
The app providing all the technical equipment information you need anywhere in the field
This newly developed app is a one-of-a-kind tool that enables humanitarian workers to carry all the information they need to order products that enable them to carry out their work in their pocket whilst in the field.
The Oxfam Equipment Catalogue offers a straightforward means of ordering technical equipment which come with manuals and videos to guide users on how to use the products.
5. Headspace
The app to use to counter the psychological consequences of stressful and traumatic field work
Humanitarian work is extremely rewarding but no less challenging, both physically and mentally. Working in environments of high stress and so closely with human suffering has its psychological consequences.
