1. MOBILE TECHNOLOGY TO ASSESS THE NEEDS OF IDP POPULATIONS SUPPORTING HUMANITARIANS TO MAKE FASTER AND SMARTER DECISIONS IDP R U OK?

2. 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 needed Heavy snow and area with patchy mobile reception.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 1. Paper (Always as a back up!) Pros Easy Cheap Universal Cons Time consuming on translation and data entry Human error Data lost (i.e. questionnaires lost, damaged, confiscated…) It takes a lot storage space

6. Pros Cheap Saves time Immediate track of information Safe data sent Less security issue for the staff Cons Security considerations in case of phone lose (data protection) Need for training Power Issue (i.e. batteries) 2. SMS tech: 1/ Text message and 2/ FrontlineSMS

7. 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

8. 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 shows 2. 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)

9. Frontline SMS Form

10. Requirements Server Database Application Program Training methodologies and standard Operating Procedure Pros No more paper Immediate data collection and real time analysis Cons Safety of data and losing the phone Cost Technical support for more complex data analysis 3. Smart Phones with data collection software

11. Open Data Kit (ODK) ODK is a free and open-source data collection software 1. Build a data collection from or survey 2. Collect the data on a mobile device and send it to the server 3. Aggregate the collected data on a server and extract it in useful formats.

12. ODK form

13. USHAHIDI platform

14. 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)

15. 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

16. SCENEARIO 3: “Yes and NO” There is access to some affected areas, Not to some others  Combination of solutions from scenario 1 and 2

17. 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 areas 2. 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

18. 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

19. Disaster Map – Landslide

22. Thanks for your attention. d Questions please?