The potential for computational IT tools in disaster relief and shelter design

Abstract

The expanding use of IT has brought an increase in productivity to the world of business, industry and commerce. However, this is not mirrored by an equivalent growth in the use of IT by aid agencies in post-disaster situations. We report a pioneering two-stage study which tested the appetite for the increased use of computational IT tools in this sector, assessed their level of usefulness and whether they can be practically implemented. Thirty aid workers across nineteen countries were surveyed on their use of IT and computational tools in shelter design and provision. The key finding was that none of the participants used any building simulation tools or software packages in any of the design stages of shelter construction. Using this result, two example tools were created-one assessing daylighting and the other environmental impact. A second survey involving 48 aid workers was then carried out to record their experience of using the new tools and 97% of the participants identified a need for such shelter design tools. The majority felt that the new tools were useful and that they would like to use similar tools in their work, most of them preferring tools in the form of web applications. It is concluded that humanitarian workers in the shelter sector are very willing to adopt IT-based computational tools in their work and would appreciate doing so, but only if they have access to suitably simple tools which are quick to use and easy to learn.

The influence of information and communication technologies on disaster relief operations: a case of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe

“…Notwithstanding the large geographical area that national radio covers, however, it is evident that mobile ICT technologies are the modalities of choice when it comes to disaster relief operations. These researchers concur with Kuchai et al . (2020), in their study they reveal the benefits that are harvested through the use of GIS in disaster responses.…”

“…Geographic information systems (GIS) play several roles in case of floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters by providing planning information useful to governments, NGOs and other international organizations in the distribution of supplies (medicine, food, water, clothing, etc.) to emergency distribution centers (Kuchai et al ., 2020). GIS sensors can be used to identify high-risk areas and prioritize them for mitigation activities.…”

Co-designing algorithms for governance: Ensuring responsible and accountable algorithmic management of refugee camp supplies

“…The partners chose a co-design approach as they had experienced that many data-driven initiatives strand because of a mismatch between the algorithmic tool and the needs and expectations of its users and stakeholders. Earlier studies have found that humanitarian aid workers require IT tools to be easy to use and to understand (Kuchai et al, 2020). The partners therefore implemented the process, principles, and practical tools of co-design (Blomkamp, 2018) from the onset of the project: the design process of the algorithm went through several iterative cycles of analysis of issues relating to the delivery of emergency supplies, design of an algorithmic prototype, and testing and refining this prototype based on the needs of the involved actors.…”