The impact of digital technology on health of populations affected by humanitarian crises: Recent innovations and current gaps

Abstract

Digital technology is increasingly used in humanitarian action and promises to improve the health and social well-being of populations affected by both acute and protracted crises. We set out to (1) review the current landscape of digital technologies used by humanitarian actors and affected populations, (2) examine their impact on health and well-being of affected populations, and (3) consider the opportunities for and challenges faced by users of these technologies. Through a systematic search of academic databases and reports, we identified 50 digital technologies used by humanitarian actors, and/or populations affected by crises. We organized them according to the stage of the humanitarian cycle that they were used in, and the health outcomes or determinants of health they affected. Digital technologies were found to facilitate communication, coordination, and collection and analysis of data, enabling timely responses in humanitarian contexts. A lack of evaluation of these technologies, a paternalistic approach to their development, and issues of privacy and equity constituted major challenges. We highlight the need to create a space for dialogue between technology designers and populations affected by humanitarian crises.

Crisis Informatics in the Context of Social Media Crisis Communication: Theoretical Models, Taxonomy, and Open Issues

“…The social media crisis communication models emerge due to the advancement of information technology and new media. Most of the existing reviewed papers focus on usage and tool-based practice and the applications of social media [4], [5], [8], [13], [15], [20]- [23], [26], [27], [29], [30]. Although there were few papers that reviewed the application of social sensing, digital volunteerism and crowdsourcing.…”

“…Moreover, [21] focuses on the use of social media during environmental concerns for information dissemination and prediction, while [22] discusses social media usage advances in data collection, evaluations and public participation. Also, the categorisation of digital technologies used in crisis management was conducted by [23], while [24] reviewed big crisis data analytics and its enabling technologies, such as [13] Provides an overview of early practice of social media crisis and risk communication; examples of social media use, tools, and best practices. [14] Review on overlapping domains of Sensor Web, 'human-in-the-loop sensing', citizen sensing, the roles citizens play in environmental public health surveillance, and crisis or disaster informatics.…”

“…[22] Brief essay review that discusses social media usage advances in data collection, audience needs evaluations, and public participation. [23] Reviewed the digital technologies used in crisis management and categorised them based on crisis management service usage and affected public usage. [24] Reviewed the use of big data analytics for processing and analysing big crisis data.…”

Social Media Role in Relieving the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis

“…(Kamel, M.N. et al 2011 p24, 25) In addition of the significant implications of communication technologies in healthcare, health-reporting, and social well-being issues (Mesmar, S. et al 2016, Freifeld, C.et al 2010) and effective surveillance system for road traffic (Bonnet, E. et al 2017). Fourth, employing new media technologies for solving humanitarian crisis would positively contribute in building national peace and boost the international security.…”

Radio for Rohingya Refugees: Assessing the Importance and Effectiveness as Communication Tools

“…A radio station in a fortune-telling camp in Greece aims to give them that along with a voice to the world. (Mesmar et al 2016) argued that, digital technology has the potential to play a role in facilitating humanitarian action and improving health determinants. Rigorous evaluation of emerging technology in humanitarian crises must be incorporated into design and implementation to strengthen the basis of evidence for decision-making, including its health effects.…”