Digital Humanitarians ─ How Big Data Is Changing the Face of Humanitarian Response

This gripping real-time drama is set against the the devastation of the Haiti earthquake. The author, a pioneer of digital humanitarianism, didn’t stay idle long. Within hours, from his laptop, he’d assembled a global network of volunteers to collect, analyze, sift through, map, and relay accurate information from survivors on the ground voicing cries of help using social media. Their data-mining accomplishments were record-breaking and set new standards for quick action in large scale disaster relief situations. This book explains the technology behind this new wave of ICT networking and data-mining.

Praise for the book:

... examines how new uses of technology and vast quantities of digital data are transforming the way societies prepare for, respond to, cope with, and ultimately understand humanitarian disasters.
—Dr. Enzo Bollettino, Executive Director, The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Harvard University

... explains the strengths and potential weaknesses of using big data and crowdsourced analytics in crisis situations. It is at once a deeply personal and intellectually satisfying book.
—Professor Steven Livingston, Professor of Media & Public and International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University