Mobile Technology for Humanitarian Emergencies

Introduction

Overview

In recent years, the world has faced more frequent, complex and severe crises, driving a growing demand for humanitarian assistance. At the same time, mobile connectivity has become almost universal. This convergence presents a critical opportunity to harness mobile technology for humanitarian action.

Today, 3.8 billion active mobile subscribers live in low- and middle-income countries. Among them are more than 400 million people affected by humanitarian crises. For these individuals, digital technology can be life-changing — providing critical support and access to vital services. To unlock its full potential, policymakers and regulators must understand how effective policy and regulatory frameworks can enable mobile technology to support humanitarian efforts.

This three-week course examines the critical roles of policymakers and mobile network operators in disaster response management. Participants will explore how emerging technologies—such as mobile big data, artificial intelligence, and other innovative tools—can be leveraged to enhance humanitarian action. The course also emphasises the importance of developing robust National Emergency Telecommunications (NET) Plans and Early Warning Systems to strengthen disaster prediction and preparedness. It also highlights emerging partnership models and forward-thinking approaches that are transforming the humanitarian landscape.

Course Objectives

Learn how improved coordination between mobile operators, governments, regulatory authorities and the humanitarian community can mitigate risks during times of crisis.
Discover how regulators around the world are adopting flexible approaches to policies and regulation during emergencies to positively impact response efforts.
Understand and explore how mobile platforms can digitise humanitarian aid delivery channels through innovative case studies.
Explore the importance of emerging tech, NET plans and Early Warning Systems in disaster preparedness and recovery.

Course Enrolment Criteria

This course is open to:

Regulators.
Policymakers.
Representatives from academia and international organisations working on regulatory or policy issues.

We cannot accept applications from individuals working in the private sector or those not involved in policy or regulation.

Course Completion Certificates

All of our courses are certified by the United Kingdom Telecoms Academy (UKTA) and can be used as evidence of professional development.

To qualify for a course completion certificate, you must view all the course sessions and answer correctly all the quiz questions you will find as you progress through the sessions. You will also need to fill out the course survey.

You do not have to complete a final project to earn a course completion certificate, but we strongly encourage you to create one. Putting together a final project will allow you to reflect on the principles covered during the course and help you discover how they could be applied to your own country. If you submit a final project, the course trainer will provide you with valuable feedback that you may find useful in your day-to-day work.

Course Structure and Study Time

The course consists of seven sessions, and you will gain access to all of them on the course start date. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about the content of the course on the course forum.

It should not take you more than two to three hours of study time per week to complete the course in three weeks. You will have, however, six weeks to complete it. If, after six weeks, you have not completed the course, you will have to start it again the next time it is offered.

If you decide to submit a final project, it will likely take you four to six hours to put it together. You will have six weeks to submit your final project.

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Duration: 1 day

Start date: To be confirmed

Trainer

Barnaby Willitts-King

Research and Policy Director, Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation

Barnaby joined the GSMA in November 2021 and is now Research and Policy Director of the Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation team. In this role he manages the team developing thought leadership on the role of digital technology in humanitarian crises, research and guidance on mobile technology, and overseeing monitoring, evaluation and learning activities for the M4H portfolio. He also manages M4H’s policy, regulatory and advocacy work to support governments, international organisations and operators in creating an enabling digital environment and overcoming policy barriers to digital inclusion.

He previously worked as a Senior Research Fellow in ODI’s Humanitarian Policy Group, leading research and policy engagement on digital technology and inclusion, reform of the humanitarian system and new business models including public-private partnerships. He started his career with Save the Children and then the UK’s Department for International Development in Pakistan/Afghanistan before working across Asia, Africa and the Middle East for a range of donors, UN agencies, the Red Cross/Crescent movement and NGOs.

Moderator

Daniela Gutierrez-Torres

Training Manager, GSMA

Daniela works on the GSMA’s Capacity Building program and manages the delivery of training content to regulators and policymakers worldwide and leads capacity building partnerships with the World Bank, ITU, among others. Before joining GSMA, Daniela worked at the LSE Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa. She designed and delivered training to African graduate students to develop leadership and critical skills and coordinated the Programme for African Leadership’s wide range of operational and developmental activities.

Daniela holds an MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and an MA in Theory and Practice of Human Rights from the University of Essex. Her interests and expertise lie at the intersection between social innovation, economic and social rights, and social development.