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IOM and Deloitte turning to technology to aid response to humanitarian disasters

Switzerland - IOM has partnered with the global professional services firm Deloitte on a new Humanitarian Innovation Program to find technology solutions when responding to some of the world’s most pressing issues including natural disasters, famine, human rights violations, and conflicts. IOM is hopeful that the collaboration will lead to innovative technology-based solutions which will improve the way international aid organizations communicate, coordinate, and deliver help on the ground during crises.

“Accurate and timely information sharing is vital. Our goal through this collaboration is to design an operating model that will enhance the real-time processing of information between humanitarian cluster coordinators offsite with those on the ground managing the day-to-day needs of the humanitarian camps,” said Mohammed Abdiker, Director of the Department of Operations and Emergencies, IOM. “This is especially relevant in the context of the current Philippines disaster response, where cross-sectoral concerns are closely linked with mobility. The new model will further improve exchange of information, and help provide the population with multi-sectoral assistance.”

Deloitte will team with IOM to develop a systems model for displaced populations and allow humanitarian partners and governments to stay better informed, coordinated, and connected to each other during crises. The model will use technology to enhance the information sharing between sector-specific responders such as those responsible for food distribution, infrastructure rehabilitation, shelter and health. A key focus for innovation will be IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix or DTM which is used to gather and share information on communities which have been displaced and the management of displacement camps in emergencies. 

“Deloitte believes that when the private and public sectors combine their skills and work together – in new and innovative ways – we can better tackle the big issues facing society today.  It’s a responsibility and a privilege to bring what we do best to the vital work of these organizations,” said Barry Salzberg, Global CEO, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. “Adding our innovative thinking to organizations, like IOM, allows us to leverage each other’s expertise to create solutions that better enable the sector to prepare and respond to crises.”

Deloitte member firm professionals will also team with a technology startup called AtrocityWatch that monitors global atrocities, to help develop a big data application that leverages social media and person-centered data around the world to provide early warning of potential mass atrocities. Deloitte professionals will provide data analytics and cyber security expertise to help shape the creation of a mobile application to link people under threat with decision-makers who are in a position to respond. 

The Deloitte Humanitarian Innovation Program was developed after broad consultations with leading humanitarian organizations that identified the need for innovation and collaboration with the private sector. The Program has already successfully delivered projects with UN OCHA and Save the Children International (SCI). The intention is to share the outcomes of projects conducted under the Humanitarian Innovation Program so that the wider humanitarian sector can benefit from, and scale the solutions.

To learn more about the positive impact already being delivered by the Deloitte network with the humanitarian sector visit http://www.deloitte.com/humanitarian or watch the video on the UN OCHA leadership development project: http://youtu.be/VF81nm7AbIc

For more information, please contact 

Leonard Doyle
IOM Spokesperson (a.i.)
Email: ldoyle@iom.int
Tel: +41.22.717 9486
Mobile: +41 79 285 7123