Data in action: The role of data in humanitarian disasters | Devex

"For nongovernmental organizations responding to humanitarian disasters, big data and open data are more than just buzzwords — they are fast becoming a necessity in saving lives. In World Vision International’s case, the availability to pull and share data helped save lives when Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu in March this year. Working in the country since the early 1980s, World Vision has made data gathering a critical part of project planning and reporting. This includes gathering, collecting and creating demographic, infrastructure and environmental data. Data has been critical not only to analyze the impact of programs, but also to evaluate the resources that will be required following an emergency. Andrea Swinburne-Jones, communications manager at World Vision International, believed the availability and use of technology and data limited the number of deaths from Cyclone Pam to 11, despite it being one of the worst cyclones on record. The groundwork that went into ensuring communities, the government and NGOs were prepared limited deaths and shows a zero casualties aim is a realistic expectation. More data to help to plan, prepare and respond will assist in making this possible. Philippine-based news website Rappler, meanwhile, launched Project Agos in 2013. Project Agos is a platform combining information from the government with that from the community to aid in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. As part of the project, an alert mapping system has been developed to maximize the flow of critical data before, during and after a disaster. Rappler has wanted to launch the project since it was established in 2010. Now, Project Agos has been growing rapidly, and has been receiving funding and support from various sources, including the Australian government. What lessons can World Vision and Rappler share for civil society organizations that may want to get involved in the data revolution and leverage data as a disaster and emergency response tool? ..."