How volunteers, hackathons and technology are making a big difference in Humanitarian Relief

Imagine life after a disaster: You're low on cash. You're house is gone. Your phone doesn't work. You've lost touch with your loved ones. You're cold, hungry and disoriented. How do you get your life back in order ?

The massive refugee relief efforts underway on the island of Lesbos exemplifies the challenge of helping thousands of people while coordinating the efforts of multiple relief groups. How can this be done with limited resources, lack of electricity and limited internet connectivity? Here's how technology and volunteers are helping and some of the technologies they're using:

• Volunteer Coordination: Facebook, Google Maps, Slack, Instagram
• Communication: Cisco, OpenMesh, SMS Up, Disaster Tech Lab 
• Innovation: TechFugees, Refugee Tech
• Lighting & Guidance: SolarPuff, RefugeeAidApp

Laura Jensen, a volunteer in Lesbos with Movement On The Ground explained how relief operations have changed as both volunteers and refugees are now plugged in. “Most of the micro-charities on the island (Lesvos) were formed as a direct result of this crisis and these first responders started with the tools they knew best - Facebook Groups, Slack and WhatsApp to organize, raise awareness, funds and support. As the number of refugees, relief organizations and quantity of information grew, it became essential to organize it into web sites and maps for easier dissemination. Digital activists took on the role of monitoring the social media threads to update the sites as well as analyze trends to anticipate upcoming relief needs”. Here's an overview of what's being used:

• Facebook Group of ongoing volunteer efforts and needs - for and by volunteers
• Google Doc based handbook for relief organizations
• Google Map with refugee routes, resources, camps and medical facilities
• Web site of centralized repository of information
• Statistical analysis of incoming refugees to better plan relief operations

Communication
Thousands of refugees quickly overwhelm the available internet connectivity and WiFi access points and internet connectivity rendering the online systems useless as people can't connect to them. So providing internet connectivity for the relief workers and refugees became the highest priority. Three groups addressing this communication challenge are :

Cisco's Tactical Operations (TacOps) unit works directly with organizations such as the United Nations and NetHope to set up communications for first responders. Specially trained Cisco engineers design and install communications equipment while the Disaster Incident Response (DIRT) team manages logistics and operations on the ground. volunteers who put their lives at risk with TacOps and are asked to respond quickly during a crisis.

In response to the needs of refugees, MeshPoint modified a home router firmware with OpenWRT, plugged in a USB 3G dongle, hooked the router to a battery, packed everything in a backpack, and went into the crowd with a “Free WiFi” sign on their backs, antennas sticking out. They’ve now ruggedized their system so that it's easy to deploy, waterproof and can cope with fluctuating power supplies from portable, gas powered generators.

Disaster Tech Lab provides rapid response communication networks for use in disaster relief and providing humanitarian aid. Their networks and services help provide connectivity in Lesvos to refugees and groups such as UNHCR, Mercy Corps and IRC. They've even designed and sourced lampposts to mount the equipment on, solar panels and batteries to power them.

Innovation

Techfugees is a volunteer group with over 2,000 members that was formed by a group of technology firms to help refugees in Europe. It organizes non-profit “Techfugees” conferences, hackathons, and brings together engineers, entrepreneurs and startups together with non-profits and other agencies to develop solutions to address the crisis.

Lighting & guidanceThe SolarPuff is a foldable, solar powered lantern that's popular in Lesvos and many other disaster relief areas. Designed by Alice Min Soo Chun, a professor at the Parsons New School for DesignIt designed it to help with the Haiti earthquake response. It weighs just 2.3 ounces and can deliver light for eight hours after being recharged for four hours with built-in solar panels. 

Refugee Aid App is a mobile (iOS and Android) app provides a single point for refugees to find information, connection and support and a single point for NGOs and charities to share their resources (by location) with refugees. Built on technology donated by Trellyz, this web based content management and communication system helps refugees locate the closest source of aid.

Check out the links below to learn more to see how you might be able to help. Imagine applying your technical skills to improve the lives of those in distress!

Resources
Refugee Aid App - Mobile app that directs refugees to map-based resource.
Movement on The Ground - Helping provide infrastructure to relief groups.
Mesh Point - Providing ruggedized ad hoc, WiFi networks.
Solar Puff - Foldable, lightweight, solar powered lantern.
Disaster Tech Lab - Providing connectivity services after a disaster.
Cisco Tactical Operations - Helping support first responders with connectivity.
Techfugees - Volunteer group organizing hackathons and innovating solutions.

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Deepak leads project management at Skilled Analysts, a SF based consulting firm that specializes in helping clients design and implement Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.