Prepared for CDAC Network Media and Tech Fair, March 2012
In 2011, UNESCO began a series of efforts to improve its Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) program me within the 1.5km ’buffer zone‘ of the Gaza Strip — the area that borders Israeli-controlled territory. These efforts aimed to enhance schools’ abilities to fulfill their roles as safe, protective spaces for children and communities in times of crisis. To support these efforts, Souktel created a large scale, web-based SMS alert and survey system which allows UNESCO to: - Send SMS alerts from UNESCO staff/school administrators’ phones — or from a secure web interface — to the mobile phones of parents, school staff and other community members (alerts can range from emergency notifications to school announcements). - Deliver SMS-based surveys that can be used to collect data related to DRR program activities.
This paper describes the lessons learned and provides recommendation for similar action.