Globe Telecom announced it has become the first mobile network operator to join the UN Global Pulse's Data Insights for Social and Humanitarian Action (DISHA) coalition as part of a pilot project in the Philippines to harness data and AI for better disaster preparedness and response.
With many local organizations still relying on manual assessments of data to direct delivery of aid in times of disaster, the DISHA pilot – which is in beta mode – leverages a Socio-Economic Mapping solution developed in collaboration with McKinsey & Company and its AI arm QuantumBlack to provide more timely and accurate information to enable faster responses.
For example, the Population Movement heatmap highlights unexpected population movement in disaster-stricken regions in near real time using trends derived from telecoms data. Meanwhile, the Poverty Nowcasting feature uses machine learning models trained on government census data, telecom trends, and other anonymized signals to provide a regularly updated view of poverty levels.
Both tools help humanitarian organizations better respond to disasters and other emergencies, reaching those in most need, said Katya Klinova, head of AI for humanitarian and development use at UN Global Pulse.
“When used responsibly, trends derived from telecommunications data can meaningfully augment operational analytics available to first responders,” she said in a statement.
Globe is providing its data for the project, as well as connectivity, said Jenny Echevarria, Globe’s VP for enterprise data and strategic services.
"Our partnership with DISHA provides a crucial data-for-good solution that will enable disaster management agencies and partner organizations to deliver life-saving aid to those who need it the most,” she said. “Because connectivity is essential in those first critical hours after a disaster, DISHA's Socio-Economic Mapping solution allows Globe to proactively prioritize service availability in shelter areas to enable recovery.”
Catholic Relief Services, the Philippine Red Cross, and Oxfam have provid feedback to the project to refine the DISHA dashboard and improve its usability and effectiveness.
DISHA said it chose the Philippines for its pilot run in part because it’s one of the world's most disaster-prone regions, where roughly 74% of the population faces risks from floods, cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides.
DISHA said it is expanding the pilot, and is inviting humanitarian organizations in the Philippines to test and validate the solution.