What is the challenge?

Today, humanitarian action is more dynamic than at any time in history. Like any industry, the humanitarian sector must adapt to serve people in need in a manner that is fit for purpose and adequate to address their needs. Existing digital tools are often deployed in isolation, which limitstheir effectiveness. There is a pressing need for an integrated digitalecosystem that can connect various tools and platforms, therebyenhancing the overall efficiency and impact of humanitarian responses.

What is innovative about the project? 

The project aims to build a digital ecosystem consisting of interconnected sets of tools through which users fulfill various organizational and cross-organizational needs in one integrated experience. This project will integrate and scale three Innovation Norway-funded innovations: KOBLI, Digital Community Hubs, and Dignified Identity (DIGID), collectively referred to as NRC Digital Tools. By building on the knowledge gleaned from the pilots of these tools, NRC aims to scale these three initiatives simultaneously focusing on:

• leveraging digital tools to extend NRCs services to thosein hard-to-reach areas where security conditions may not allow access,
• creating a seamless, interconnected platform thatfacilitates real-time communication, data sharing, and coordination amongvarious stakeholders, including local actors and other NGOs.
• employing artificial intelligence (AI) for reporting, monitoring, and communicationenhancing automation, operational efficiency, and accuracy.
• leveraging messaging apps,reaching people through channels theyalready use and trust.
• Allowing for the delivery of services without physicalpresence, ensuring faster and more efficient assistance.
• Improving data security using mechanisms to hide/encrypt data

What are the expected outcomes? 

The project is expected to expand NRC's reach, increase the speed, and improve the quality of services to the target population. By integrating these digital tools, NRC will provide a holistic, unified entry point for people in need to seek assistance and, in many cases, receive assistance with shortened timelines, higher levels of verification and accountability, and the ability to assist while affected people are on the move.

Who are the project partners? 

The project is led by NRC in partnership with IFRC, Meta and Accenture.