Technology (Page 2)

Imagine a disaster strikes and thousands upon thousands of people might be injured or trapped. How do you begin to assess the damage? Map out the impacted area? Determine where you are most needed? By using new innovations like drones, humanitarian organizations can get where they are needed faster.

63 per cent of Canadians have experienced an emergency or disaster, and the average number of disasters have doubled in the last 30 years. According to a new survey, when a disaster or emergency hits, Canadians are turning online for services, support, and up-to-date information. 

Your phone has the power to send you life-saving alerts. By broadcasting alerts through your cell phone, the system can send geo-targeted alerts and warn you directly of any imminent danger. If your cell phone is compatible you will hear a distinct tone that will be followed by a message.

Imagine relying on candlelight to be able to deliver heathcare. In remote parts of Liberia’s Bomi county, this has been the reality for healthcare workers - and is one of the examples that Sayba Tamba, Secretary General of the Liberian Red Cross Society when she said, “the state of health facilities in Bomi demands immediate intervention if we are to save lives.” 

Many of us consider our phones our connection to the rest of the world and with phones featuring smart functions and apps, they often feel like our lives are contained in this device. But what do you do if phone lines go down?

Last week, Facebook announced it was partnering with humanitarian organizations including the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) to help fill a data gap that occurs when a disaster strikes.

Have your say in a short survey on first aid, available in 19 languages, to help us learn what common health situations are experienced by the general public. The first of its kind, this survey aims to gather information on the most common accidents and health emergencies people are facing and if first aid techniques were provided – with or without first aid skills.

In today’s digital world, many of us realize how helpful technology is to our daily lives. Whether we’re mapping destinations, ordering food, making plans, even banking, our smart phones offer a lot of convenience in our hands. But have you thought about how this technology could help save your life or the life of another in an emergency?