Mobile Technology in Emergencies

The explosive growth in access to mobile phones across the developing world provides a unique opportunity for the humanitarian sector. But the full potential of mobile phones to work as transformative tools in emergency response has not yet been realised. Mobile Technology in Emergencies draws on interviews with emergency response staff in six countries to identify three key themes that should be addressed in order to change this situation: increasing accountability, building preparedness and prioritising collaboration. In addition, the report looks in more detail at mobile cash transfers, which have been a leading context for the use of mobiles in emergencies and have important lessons for the wider use of mobile technology. The report makes a series of recommendations – to international non-governmental organisations, mobile network operators and governments.