Digital humanitarians: how big data is changing the face of humanitarian response

Patrick Meier

01/24/2015

Type
book
Region
Sector
Crisis Response
Category
Citizen Engagement and Crowdsourcing, Data Analysis, Big Data
Methodology
Case Studies, Conceptual Framework
Objective
Effectiveness, Participation

Abstract

The overflow of information generated during disasters can be as paralyzing to humanitarian response as the lack of information. Making sense of this information--Big Data--is proving an impossible challenge for traditional humanitarian organizations, which is precisely why they're turning to Digital Humanitarians. This new humanitarians mobilize online to make sense of vast volumes of data--social media and text messages; satellite and aerial imagery--in direct support of relief efforts worldwide. How? They craft ingenious crowdsourcing solutions with trail-blazing insights from artificial intelligence. This book charts the spectacular rise of Digital Humanitarians, highlighting how their humanity coupled with innovative Big Data solutions is changing humanitarian relief for forever.