CRS & ICT: Data collection and the Humanitarian Cloud

A variety of emerging technologies connects the digital fieldworker to the value  chain, according to Shaun Ferris of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in his presentation, “CRS ICT4D Strategy,” at the ICT4D (Information and Communication Technologies for Development) August Meetup. According to Ferris, project progress tracking and data sharing are two of the challenges his organization faced while collecting data from their beneficiaries. New technologies and/or new uses of existing technologies are helping to bridge this gap. In his presentation to the ICT4D group, Ferris showed the audience that a combination of hardware, software, and data-sharing technologies were used to ensure a more efficient transfer of data.

In partnership with the IT-focused non-governmental consortium NetHope, CRS beneficiaries and the international agricultural community share their information via the “Humanitarian Cloud.” The Humanitarian Cloud concept borrows its name from the information technology term, “cloud computing.” Cloud computing, is “anywhere access” to data or, more simply, web-based data. Universal access to data is vital in ensuring equal distribution of services, particularly to underserved areas. Connecting to this Humanitarian Cloud from rural areas with limited internet access, however, was one of the challenges faced by Ferris’ project.

Recognizing the reality of intermittent internet access, the CRS project needed a data collection tool that was both available offline (for data input) and online (for data transmission). In addition, they needed software which was available on mobile devices such as tablet PCs and smartphones. To address this need, they found software in which they could create customized forms and collect data, both on- and offline. Using a form designed in iFormBuilder and accessed via mobile device, the fieldworker or project staff member are now able to add data to the Humanitarian Cloud.

Access to remotely-shared data, however, is not without its caveats – as one participant brought up in her question to Ferris. Ethical use of the data, as well, is an important consideration, continued the questioner, of which only the most technologically savvy of the fieldworkers might be aware. Ferris echoed the questioner’s concern and mentioned that data integrity, fieldworker privacy, and responsible use of data in a “Facebook world” factor into their internal confidentiality processes. To better address confidentiality of the data, Ferris mentioned the opportunity to learn from the best practices of mobile health data collection projects. While data usage and confidentiality is important, the overall benefit, as another participant mentioned, of sharing data and the various positive outcomes it can produce, can be a worthwhile tradeoff in supporting fieldworkers.

Ferris also put the call out for Ag Technology providers and practitioners in his announcement of a possible CRS ICT4D conference in DC in November 2011.