Category 4: Social & Economic Development
4c. Best Use of Mobile in Emergency or Humanitarian Situations
Mobile Technology has proven over the last decade or more, to be an incredibly powerful tool during and following major humanitarian disasters and mass emergency situations. In the aftermath of the appalling tsunami that hit coastlines of the Indian Ocean in 2004, the Haitian earthquake in 2010 and the tragic earthquake and Tsunami in Japan in early 2011, for example, people, rescue missions and relief agencies on the ground were supported and boosted by mobile phones and networks in countless ways, in addition to post-disaster fund raising – enabled by mobile.
This category is specifically for mobile services, initiatives, applications, solutions or products that have been in place, developed or deployed to provide emergency support to communities hit by natural disasters such as earthquakes, famine, tornadoes, floods etc. or other humanitarian disasters, such as refugee crises, conflict, terrorist attacks or epidemics, in terms of speed and scale of support or through innovation that provides new ways to save and enhance lives.
The award aims to recognise the critical role of mobile communications as a vital lifeline in times of disaster. Whether it be emergency warning systems, first response emergency aid, survivor locator services, reuniting people and families, reporting systems or crises mapping, health and emergency medical support and information, or practical and actionable advice and information about shelter, food supplies and general sanitation, such as how to purify water or register a missing person and direct people to hospital. It will also highlight how mobile enables aid agencies to interact with people at scale to serve a social good and be in touch with people's needs, or donation and fund raising campaigns in the immediate aftermath. These are just a few of the ways that mobile is proving to be a critical element of disaster response.
The judges will shortlist five entries in this category, with one winner announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Tuesday 28th February 2012.
Eligibility:
This category is open to:
- Mobile network operators
- Manufacturers of mobile equipment & technologies
- Application Developers
- Relief Agencies, NGOs, foundations, private organisations or Charities
- Emergency service organisations, Governments or local authorities
The service, product, application or initiative entered must have been deployed, implemented and proven to have been of aid or service during times of, or post, an emergency before the deadline for entry, Wednesday 07th December 2011 at 5pm (GMT). Please provide evidence in your entry to support this, such as launch and deployment dates, including testimonials and details of countries or regions where the service is available.
Judging criteria:
Entries for the Best Use of Mobile in Emergency or Humanitarian Situations category will be judged on the following main criteria:
- Speed and scale of deployment prior to, during or following the disaster
- Clear and proven life-saving or life enhancing capabilities, services or assistance to people, emergency services or aid agencies
- Innovation or technical breakthroughs that have provided new ways to assist in saving or enhancing lives
- Clear and defined use of the unique proposition of mobility in providing assistance, information, support or aid
- Demonstration of the clear advantages or benefits brought by mobile in comparison or relation to traditional disaster relief approaches i.e. how did mobile make a big difference?
