Novel ways to help each other during a crisis

They say the first casualty in a conflict is the truth. For those wanting to help, knowing who or where to send help is a challenge.

In the disputed elections in Kenya in 2007, the access to phones and ability to send a message or email started the modern shift for how to help in a crisis. An open source website called Ushahidi (Swahili for witness) would collect the reports from those witnessing violence in order for those areas to be avoided.

It has grown to be a regular service deployed during or after a disaster to gather local information to better coordinate the recovery. From fires to floods to conflicts the app has grown to help clear the fog of war and allow those looking to help to best direct their efforts. 

Since then, the mobile phone has become as useful as a weapon in a conflict and as vital as water in a disaster.

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