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What is ‘Humanitarian Communication’? Towards Standard Definitions and Protections for the Humanitarian Use of ICTs

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Introduction

Information communication technologies (ICTs) are increasingly becoming a defining component of twenty-first century humanitarian response operations during both natural disasters and armed conflict. ICTs are employed in a variety of ways by nongovernmental, governmental, and local communities and actors – a trend which is likely to continue with ever more complex implications for organisations and affected communities.

Some of the more prevalent uses of ICTs in humanitarian contexts by humanitarian organisations and affected populations include:

• Remotely collecting and analysing social media, geospatial data and other sources of data
• Communicating information in order to improve situational awareness and dispel rumours
and
• Connecting affected populations to response activities.