Nairobi, Kenya—On 17th October 2013, more than 100 techies and aid workers gathered to discuss and share insights on technological innovations in the humanitarian field, marking the launch of the 2013 World Disasters Report.
Held at the iHub, an innovation hub for Nairobi’s tech community, organizations such as the Kenya Red Cross, the UN World Food Programme and BBC Media came together to showcase their use of technology in humanitarian action.
Refugees United was invited to showcase our online and mobile family tracing platform, which is now accessible through even basic mobile phones without internet in selected African countries. Everyone has a right to know where their family is; by creating a global database searchable by anyone in the world, Refugees United seeks to empower people to take the search for missing loved ones into their own hands.
Alexandra Aparicio, and Rebecca Wainess, from Refugees United led the event, along with representatives from partners, Safaricom and Ericsson.
“Using simple mobile technology to reach those without access to Internet and even illiterate people, Refugees United is truly spearheading how technology can make an impact in the humanitarian field. With our different touch points, we are able to help some of the most remote, deprived, and vulnerable groups,” said Alexandra Aparicio, Refugees United East Africa Team Manager.
Ericsson, Safaricom and Refugees United demonstrated both the online-version of the platform as well as new features such as USSD (accessible by dialing *883# from Kenya) that gives access to the Refugees United platform without an Internet connection.
“As Refugees United’s main technology partner, we provide technical expertise and advice because we believe technology should be used for good,” said Ericsson’s Sustainability Director, Margaret Kositany.
The event was a great success, attracting an engaged crowd of people that work in the cross-field of aid and technology.
Learn more and start your search for missing family on www.refunite.org.
If you are a Safaricom subscriber in Kenya, dial *883# or call our toll free number 0800 724 882 to start your search. You can also call 62014 free of charge from the Democratic Republic of Congo if you are a Vodacom subscriber.
For more information, please contact Rebecca Wainess: rw@refunite.org
