We interact with the world around us through our device and they’re playing a huge part in helping those suffering humanitarian crises. We’ve used big data to make our lives more comfortable. Where to eat, what movies to watch, the best routes from A to B. What if we instead leverage this to help those in crisis? To show people where there is safe water to drink or the nearest refuge centre?
The world today is more connected than ever before. 46.1% of the world population is online, that’s 3.4 billion internet users. Each of these users typically has 5.54 social media accounts. We generate on average 303 million tweets a day. We amass 60 billion messages a day on Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. You’ll agree – these numbers are staggering and we’re constantly generating and adding to this torrent of big data.
Could we use these unprecedented levels of data to predict crises and prevent conflict in the worse affected areas?
Big Data response
The use of big data in response to humanitarian and social crises is becoming increasingly important. Disasters – both natural and conflict-driven are chaotic situations and big data could help. Data has the potential to give a better understanding of situations. Using computer algorithms we can find patterns in data generated. Multitudes of connected devices and private data sources gather this information.
Using the data, Charitable organisations can deliver effective and efficient services. Affected populations can see what resources they need and find organisations. Charities can use data to relieve situations and understand root causes of humanitarian crises as they happen. Taking preventative action is key and can save many lives.
Challenges
But, let’s not get carried away with the idea of a big data-driven utopia yet. There are still many challenges ahead. One thing to consider is that the areas most affected by natural disaster and conflict are often the most marginalised. Here, limited access to the internet or mobile devices is common. Their infrastructures are often the most vulnerable to disruption during a crisis. This unfortunately restricts their connectivity to the rest of the world.
There are brilliant examples of success stories of big data helping humanitarian causes. For it to take effect on a larger scale, we first need to focus on getting the necessary organisations to collaborate.
There’s a variety of data for charities and organisations to use. Social networking data is mostly public and readily available. Economic data held by governments and private organisations. The data is there and the social sector is ready and willing to use it. However, the lack of skills and financing can be a massive hindrance. Like many industries, the demand for data scientists is astronomical. The social sector doesn’t have the finances to offer attractive salaries like many tech companies out there.
So, how do we get these people together?
Datakind
Organisations like DataKind connect data scientists with the charitable sector and government bodies. This is so they can make use of their data for good and DataKind, for one example, are hard at work to make this happen.
When these sectors come together, great things can happen. One of the first examples of using big data systems following a natural disaster was in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The public sector and mobile service Digicel used data to track displaced population’s movements. Both pre and post-quake to help locate and deliver necessary food and medical supplies to those in need.
UN Crisis Map
It’s not just useful for tracking those in need but for understanding and planning what to do following a crisis. The Standby Volunteer Taskforce and Humanity Road used social media data to create a UN crisis map. This was made following the 2012 typhoon in the Philippines. The map gives a detailed report on infrastructure, crop damage, housing, population movements using data from Twitter. This helped decision-makers tailor plans to the individual situation.
ProGres Database
One of the most prominent human crises to have affected the globe in recent years has been the Middle Eastern refugee crisis. Seeing over 4million displaced people fleeing war-torn countries. But what part is big data playing? When the refugees arrive in a country to apply for asylum. Their details entered into the UN ProGres database. From this, they receive encoded cards and vouchers for food and other basic resources. The coding tracks spend so that better forecasts and resources are made available.
There are also projects looking at portable, electronically formatted medical records. This is to make sure refugees get the help needed despite language barriers and other prioritisation issues at borders.
It’s also really important to recognise the impact mobile phones can have in situations like these. Moreover, to refute the negative rhetoric that has surrounded it. A mobile phone could be the most vital possession for a refugee to have and SIM cards are often available in camps. Having a mobile phone when navigating unfamiliar territories could help find camps, medical attention, food and water. Alongside staying in contact with relatives. They also help in relaying crucial information to others in the same situation.
We’re only at the tip of the iceberg of exploring whether big data can help solve complex social issues and catastrophic events. Big data analytics may not bring about world peace, but it could have a life-changing impact on individuals affected by humanitarian crises around the globe.
