Technological Innovation for Humanitarian Aid and Assistance
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Technological innovation for humanitarian aid and assistance STUDY Panel for the Future of Science and Technology EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service Scientific Foresight Unit (STOA) PE 634.411 – May 2019 EN Technological innovation for humanitarian aid and assistance During the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016, former UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon urged the global community to commit to the 'Agenda for Humanity' to address the challenges in the humanitarian sector with the aim of preventing and helping reduce human suffering during crises. Technological innovation in humanitarian assistance is perceived as an enabler in achieving these commitments. The object of this study into the fast-moving, dynamic and emergent field of humanitarian technological innovation is to analyse the impact of these innovations as transformative tools for both people in need and those providing humanitarian relief. The report provides an overview of the current state-of-play and developments with regard to ICT-related innovation in humanitarian assistance. Based on the concerns, opportunities and benefits identified, the study provides a set of policy options to further technological innovation in humanitarian assistance. STOA - Panel for the Future of Science and Technology The STOA project 'Technological innovation for humanitarian aid and assistance' was carried out by Capgemini Consulting, at the request of the Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) and managed by the Scientific Foresight Unit within the Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services (EPRS) of the European Parliament. AUTHOR Capgemini Consulting, the Netherlands STOA ADMINISTRATOR RESPONSIBLE Nera Kuljanic Scientific Foresight Unit (STOA) Directorate for Impact Assessment and European Added Value Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services European Parliament, Rue Wiertz 60, B-1047 Brussels LINGUISTIC VERSION Original: EN ABOUT THE PUBLISHER To contact STOA or to subscribe to its newsletter please write to: [email protected] Manuscript completed in May 2019 Brussels, © European Union, 2019 DISCLAIMER This document is prepared for, and addressed to, the Members and staff of the European Parliament as background material to assist them in their parliamentary work. The content of the document is the sole responsibility of its author(s) and any opinions expressed herein should not be taken to represent an official position of the Parliament. Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes are authorised, provided the source is acknowledged and the European Parliament is given prior notice and sent a copy. PE 634.411 ISBN 978-92-846-4006-5 doi: 10.2861/545957 QA-01-19-236-EN-N http://www.europarl.europa.eu/stoa (STOA website) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank (internet) http://epthinktank.eu (blog) http://www.eprs.ep.parl.union.eu (intranet) 2 Technological innovation for humanitarian aid and assistance Table of contents List of abbreviations ....................................................................................................................... 4 List of figures ................................................................................................................................... 7 Executive summary ......................................................................................................................... 8 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 12 2. Document structure and methodology ................................................................................ 13 3. Setting the scene: humanitarian assistance ........................................................................ 17 3.1. The need for humanitarian assistance .................................................................................................... 17 3.2. Humanitarian principles ............................................................................................................................... 18 3.3. Humanitarian programme cycle ............................................................................................................... 18 3.4. Actors in humanitarian assistance ............................................................................................................ 19 3.5. Funding humanitarian assistance ............................................................................................................. 21 3.6. Current legislative framework, policies and agreements ................................................................. 24 3.7. The new way of working .............................................................................................................................. 26 3.8. Key conclusions ............................................................................................................................................... 29 4. Technological innovation in humanitarian assistance ....................................................... 30 4.1. Digitisation and digital transformation .................................................................................................. 30 4.2. Innovation ......................................................................................................................................................... 31 4.3. Innovation in humanitarian assistance ................................................................................................... 33 4.4. Innovation actors ............................................................................................................................................ 34 4.5. Funding for humanitarian innovation ..................................................................................................... 36 4.6. Principles for technological innovation in humanitarian assistance ........................................... 37 4.7. Criteria for assessment of technological innovations........................................................................ 38 4.8. Key conclusions ............................................................................................................................................... 40 5. Adoption of technological innovations in humanitarian assistance ................................. 41 5.1. Technological innovations .......................................................................................................................... 41 5.2. Preparedness .................................................................................................................................................... 41 5.3. Response ............................................................................................................................................................ 57 5.4. Recovery, reconstruction and disaster risk reduction ....................................................................... 67 5.5. Key conclusions ............................................................................................................................................... 72 6. Conclusions ............................................................................................................................ 74 7. Policy options ......................................................................................................................... 78 7.1. Addressing barriers to scale ........................................................................................................................ 78 7.2. Policy options ................................................................................................................................................... 80 Bibliography .................................................................................................................................. 86 Annexes ......................................................................................................................................... 95 3 STOA - Panel for the Future of Science and Technology List of abbreviations AU African Union AI Artificial intelligence ALNAP Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance AM Additive manufacturing AR Augmented reality ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations ATM Automated teller machine BCG Boston Consulting Group BRC British Red Cross CADD Computer-aided design and drafting CBI Cash-based intervention CSIRT Computer Security Incident Response Team CTP Cash transfer programming DAC Development Assistance Committee DEVE European Parliament's Committee on Development DFID Department for International Development DG Directorate-General EC European Commission ECG Electrocardiogram ECHO European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Organisation EDO European Drought Observatory EEAS European External Action Service EFAS European Flood Awareness System EFFIS European Forest Fire Information System EHA Evaluation of humanitarian action EIC European Innovation Council ELHRA Enhancing learning and research for humanitarian assistance EMS Emergency Management Service EN English ER Extended reality ERCC Emergency Response Coordination Centre EU European Union FAO United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization FbF Forecast-based finance FTS Financial tracking service GAHI Global Alliance for Humanitarian Innovation GDPR General Data Protection Regulation GIS Geographic Information System GMES Global Monitoring for Environment