Humanitarian & Disaster Technologist
Writing on technology, crisis response, and the future of humanitarian aid — drawn from 15 years working in the field.
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Advanced Earthquake Early Warning Systems: Saving Lives with Seconds to Spare
4–6 minutes998 wordsRead more: Advanced Earthquake Early Warning Systems: Saving Lives with Seconds to SpareEarthquakes are among the most devastating natural disasters, striking with little to no immediate warning and capable of causing widespread destruction, infrastructure collapse, and tragic loss of life. While we cannot prevent earthquakes, advancements in Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) systems are revolutionizing our ability to mitigate their impact. These sophisticated systems provide crucial seconds of notice—ranging from a few seconds to over a minute, depending on proximity to the epicenter—allowing individuals and automated systems to take protective actions before the most damaging seismic waves arrive. This article delves into the technological underpinnings of modern EEW systems, their synergistic components, and…
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Revolutionizing Humanitarian Logistics: The Future of Aid Delivery
2–4 minutes579 wordsRead more: Revolutionizing Humanitarian Logistics: The Future of Aid DeliveryIntroduction The efficiency of humanitarian aid delivery is constantly challenged by complex emergencies, remote locations, and damaged infrastructure. However, advancements in technology are paving the way for a new era of humanitarian logistics, promising faster, more transparent, and more effective aid distribution. This article explores how cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Drones, Robotics, and the Internet of Things are transforming the landscape of humanitarian response, ensuring that aid reaches those in need more swiftly and efficiently. AI and Machine Learning for Predictive Logistics Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are revolutionizing humanitarian logistics by enabling sophisticated predictive analytics.…
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Informal volunteerism.
4–7 minutes1,045 wordsRead more: Informal volunteerism.Informal volunteers can play a crucial role in disaster and crisis response, often providing essential support to formal organizations such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). According to a report by NBC News, “when disaster strikes, volunteers are often the first on the scene, and their actions can be critical in the first few hours and days.” These volunteers may not have any official training or affiliation, but they can still make a significant impact through their efforts. One of the main benefits of using informal volunteers in disaster response is their…
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Review: Peli Case 1610
Read more: Review: Peli Case 1610Being able to transport and store your equipment in a safe and secure manner is essential in this line of work. About 5 years ago I switched from duffel bags with padding and cardboard boxes to using Peli cases. Peli is of course one of the leaders in the field of making bombproof cases. The company has been around since 1976 and make hundreds of different cases. There is hardly an use application they Peli does not make a case for. In addition to that they also have a range of inserts for most cases which lets you customise the…
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Review: Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panel
2–3 minutes525 wordsRead more: Review: Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panelKeeping your mobile devices powered is a constant challenge in our day-to-day lives. Doing the same when carrying out critical and life-saving work is even more important and challenging. Quite often this challenge is even more complicated by the absence of a main power source. In other words; there is no wall socket of powered USB port that you can plug your charger into. In that case there are very few options; you can use a portable battery pack but eventually that will also run out after 1-2 recharges. As wind power is generally not really portable solar has become…
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Review: Globalstar SPOT Satellite tracker
4–6 minutes938 wordsRead more: Review: Globalstar SPOT Satellite trackerKeeping track of people, teams, vehicles and equipment is of great importance in our line of work. Not only does it help in keeping track of work progress and asset availability but it is also a plus from a security perspective. Knowing where a team or an individual is located, or their last known location if they are suddenly not contactable helps in responding to emergency needs of personnel. For the past 2 years I have used the Globalstar SPOT Gen3 tracker. Features: The SPOT device has a number of functionalities, aside from tracking movement it also has messaging functions…
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And so it begins…
1–2 minutes156 wordsRead more: And so it begins…Welcome to my new blog. After over 7 years of working with and developing technology for use in disaster response and humanitarian aid work I decided that the time had come to share my experiences and insights. This blog will be the medium for this. It will be a mix of reviews and field reports of the various types of hardware & software that I’ve used over the years as well as general insights into new technologies, products and trends for the sector. I will work to keep the postings interesting, relevant and at regular intervals. Please remember that views…