Social Networking, Social Media and Complex Emergencies: an ...

and (iii) an integrated public alert and feedback
system. Finally the author proposes the use of
appropriate indicators to monitor the application of
social media tools to help guide measurement and
evaluation practices.
Coyle, D. & Meier, P. (2009) New
Technologies in Emergencies and
Conflict: The Role of Information and
Social Networks, UN Foundation-
Vodafone Foundation Partnership,
Washington DC & London.
Keywords: disasters, early warning,
capacity development.
This report explores the use of communication
technologies during disasters in recent years,
concluding that such technology has had a positive
role, but has yet to reach its full potential. The
report explores the potential for technology in
preparation for a disaster, in disaster-response and
in rebuilding. The report outlines both the potential
of new technologies to increase the speed, efficiency
and accessibility of information dissemination and
communication, and the risks associated with the
veracity and accuracy of information disseminated
through these technologies. The report also explores
the need for reliable information to prepare for an
emergency and the need for effective early warning
systems (EWS). The authors argue that there is a
need for further standardisation of communications
in emergency situations and recommend the
development of a global standard for cell broadcast
technology, as demonstrated by events such as
the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. It is also argued
that there is a need to develop standards that are
applicable to both existing and future systems for
alerts and early warning messages, as well as the
need for interoperability between public networks
and emergency response networks. The authors
argue that any EWS should be people-centred and
incorporate priority access for emergency services
personnel to communications.
The authors argue that disaster/emergency
preparedness depends on long-term education and
planning to ensure that people affected respond
appropriately. It is noted that platforms such as
Ushahidi have the potential to improve awareness as
an emergency unfolds by crowdsourcing information,
but that such new technologies also heighten the
tension between information sharing and reliability of
data. The report argues that NGOs and humanitarian
organisations could make more effective use of
new media to reach their target communities and
meet their information needs at the onset of an
emergency. It is also necessary to ensure that the
international humanitarian community themselves
has the ability to act on the information and data
they are receiving from new emergency response
systems. The authors acknowledge that there is
a significant trade-off between the authority and
accuracy of information and the timeline of its
distribution, with the issues of verification and
validation still a significant concern.
At the height of an emergency, there is an
overwhelming need for rapid, high-quality
information delivered to those affected, and effective
coordination and information dissemination between
relief organisations. The authors argue that the
effective collection and use of information does not
solely depend on the technology used, instead it is
the affected communities and people who have the
most detailed and immediate information needed
by humanitarian agencies to deliver an effective
response. In this sense, it is recommended that the
humanitarian community develop techniques and/
or tools for communicating effectively with affected
communities. In order to be effective, information
flows need to be two-way and validated for reliability.
Social Networking, Social Media and Complex Emergencies:
an Annotated Bibliography
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