Technology in humanitarian programming: agility vs standardisation

Laura Eldon Humanitarian, ICT4D

Laura Eldon and Anna Kondakhchyan reflect on how new technologies are used in humanitarian work, and share learning from Oxfam’s experiences.  Here at Oxfam, we are passionate about the potential for new technologies to support the delivery of high quality field activities. Crucially, we believe in taking a ‘responsible’ approach to the use of Information Communication Technologies (or ICTs). Essentially …

Using geographic information systems in humanitarian response

Laura Eldon General, Humanitarian, ICT4D

Laura Eldon reflects on the potential of geographic information systems to help humanitarians, and introduces case studies from South Sudan and Tanzania. When a conflict or disaster strikes Oxfam responds rapidly to protect and save lives. To do this effectively we need to understand where the greatest needs are, plan and monitor our response activities, and coordinate with other actors …

ICTs in emergency response – what we’ve learnt

Laura Eldon Humanitarian, ICT4D

How can and should information and communication technologies (ICTs) be employed in humanitarian contexts to improve the quality and efficiency of aid delivery? Laura Eldon reflects on the findings of the Scaling Humanitarian ICTs Network (SHINE). Over the last three years Oxfam has sought to show how ICTs can best be used in emergency programmes through the Scaling Humanitarian ICTs …