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Aladdin Shamoug, Stephen Cranefield, & Grant Dick. (2018). Information Retrieval for Humanitarian Crises via a Semantically Classified Word Embedding. In Kristin Stock, & Deborah Bunker (Eds.), Proceedings of ISCRAM Asia Pacific 2018: Innovating for Resilience – 1st International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management Asia Pacific. (pp. 132–144). Albany, Auckland, New Zealand: Massey Univeristy.
Abstract: Decision-makers in humanitarian crisis need information to guide them in making critical decisions. Finding information in such environments is a challenging task. Therefore, decision-makers rely on domain experts who possess experience and knowledge from previous humanitarian crises to provide them with the information they need. In this paper, we explore the ability of the existing computing technologies to augment the capabilities of those experts and help decision-makers to make faster and better decisions. Among many computing technologies we have today, word embedding and the semantic web are able to support such augmentation of the domain expert. In this paper, we train a word embedding model using word2vec, transform words and terms from news archive to entities in domain ontology, annotate those entities with their equivalent concepts from upper ontologies, and reason about them using semantic similarity and semantic matching, to represent and retrieve knowledge, and answer questions of interest to decision-makers in humanitarian crises. The approach was evaluated by comparing the use of word embeddings with and without semantic classification for the retrieval of information about the current humanitarian crisis in Syria.
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Kees Boersma, Julie Ferguson, Peter Groenewegen, & Jeroen Wolbers. (2014). Beyond the myth of control: Toward network switching in disaster management. In and P.C. Shih. L. Plotnick M. S. P. S.R. Hiltz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2014 Conference Proceedings – 11th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 125–129). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University.
Abstract: A novel, 'net-centric' approach to disaster management is challenging traditional forms of command and control, through technology-supported, self-directed networks of heterogeneous stakeholders including affected citizens. Citizen involvement in crisis response can strengthen the resilience of local communities, and improve the relevance and delivery of response, evidenced by increasingly important Web2.0-based platforms. While netcentric responses show promise as a principle, it remains unclear how networks can be integrated in shared response infrastructures. We draw on the concepts of 'programming' and 'switching' to suggest a different perspective by which to explore the potential and consequences of interconnected networks. Finally, we propose a research agenda that can help identify and understand switching points in disaster response, comparing a weakly formalized management structure, but strong in citizen involvement, with a strongly formalized management structure, but weak in citizen involvement. We thereby suggest how response organizations can relinquish their reliance on control and command approaches, increasing their adaptive capacity to capitalize on citizen-based information.
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Tom De Groeve, & Patrick Riva. (2009). Early flood detection and mapping for humanitarian response. In S. J. J. Landgren (Ed.), ISCRAM 2009 – 6th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Boundary Spanning Initiatives and New Perspectives. Gothenburg: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Space-based river monitoring can provide a systematic, timely and impartial way to detect floods of humanitarian concern. This paper presents a new processing method for such data, resulting in daily flood magnitude time series for any arbitrary observation point on Earth, with lag times as short as 4h. Compared with previous work, this method uses image processing techniques and reduces the time to obtain a 6 year time series for an observation site from months to minutes, with more accurate results and global coverage. This results in a daily update of major floods in the world, with an objective measure for their magnitude, useful for early humanitarian response. Because of its full coverage, the grid-based technique also allows the automatic creation of low-resolution flood maps only hours after the satellite passes, independent of cloud coverage.
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Erica Gralla, Jarrod Goentzel, & Bartel Van de Walle. (2015). Understanding the information needs of field-based decision-makers in humanitarian response to sudden onset disasters. In L. Palen, M. Buscher, T. Comes, & A. Hughes (Eds.), ISCRAM 2015 Conference Proceedings ? 12th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Kristiansand, Norway: University of Agder (UiA).
Abstract: The development and spread of new technology and the internet has opened a new world of possibilities to gather data and create information in a crisis. However, it is not clear which information field managers require to make the best possible decisions. As a result, it is difficult for volunteers, technology developers, and others, to collect and analyze data that results in information that is accessible and actionable for decision makers. To understand the information requirements of humanitarian responders, a workshop was conducted, bringing together eighteen experienced humanitarian responders. The results of the workshop include preliminary frameworks for decisions and information requirements that are common during the initial phases of a sudden onset disaster. These frameworks will help volunteer and technical communities to understand the information field decision-makers require to make the best possible decisions.
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Satria Hutomo Jihan, & Aviv Segev. (2013). Context ontology for humanitarian assistance in crisis response. In J. Geldermann and T. Müller S. Fortier F. F. T. Comes (Ed.), ISCRAM 2013 Conference Proceedings – 10th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 526–535). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: Massive crisis open data is not fully utilized to identify humanitarian needs because most of it is not in a structured format, thus hindering machines to interpret it automatically and process it in a short time into useful information for decision makers. To address these problems, the paper presents a method which merges ontologies and logic rules to represent the humanitarian needs and recommend appropriate humanitarian responses. The main advantage of the method is to identify humanitarian needs and to prioritize humanitarian responses automatically so that the decision makers are not overwhelmed with massive and unrelated information and can focus more on implementing the solutions. The method is implemented on real data from the Hurricane Wilma crisis. The use of the method in the hurricane Wilma crisis shows the potential abilities to identify the humanitarian needs in specific places and to prioritize humanitarian responses in real time.
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John Sabou, & Simeon Videlov. (2016). An Analysis on the Role of Trust in Digital Humanitarian Actor Networks. In A. Tapia, P. Antunes, V.A. Bañuls, K. Moore, & J. Porto (Eds.), ISCRAM 2016 Conference Proceedings ? 13th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Abstract: This paper explores the difficulties of collaboration between Volunteer and Technical Communities (V&TCs) and Humanitarian Response Organisations (HROs). The phenomenon of digital volunteers and their role in collecting and analyzing social media data provided by disaster affected populations has brought unprecedented opportunities and challenges to the humanitarian system. Central to these processes are the risks and vulnerabilities that these transformations might bring to existing humanitarian actors. Thus, this paper draws upon the work of Anthony Giddens regarding trust to account for the ongoing relational dynamics, and the unpacking of both it's institutional and inter-personal dimensions. The paper identifies two major approaches underlying their collaborative efforts. The first approach concerns a top-down and centralized process of developing a institutionalized forms of interfacing; while the second concerns the development of interpersonal relational infrastructure.
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Lauren Bateman, & Erica Gralla. (2018). Evaluating Strategies for Intra-Organizational Information Management in Humanitarian Response. In Kees Boersma, & Brian Tomaszeski (Eds.), ISCRAM 2018 Conference Proceedings – 15th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 145–157). Rochester, NY (USA): Rochester Institute of Technology.
Abstract: Information management is critical in humanitarian response, yet intra-organizational information management practices have not been well-studied. This paper evaluates several strategies for intra-organizational information management. An agent-based model represents the dynamics of information-gathering and -sharing, in order to examine the impact of each strategy on (1) the time required to acquire adequate information for decision-making and (2) the amount of excess information acquired in the process. The results show that holding regular information-sharing meetings significantly reduces the time to acquire adequate information, but does not reduce information overload; however, deploying an information management specialist reduces both time required and information overload. The results support recommendations for humanitarian organizations deciding how to improve their internal information management approaches.
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Marc van den Homberg, Jannis Visser, & Maarten van der Veen. (2017). Unpacking Data Preparedness from a humanitarian prioritization perspective: towards an assessment framework at subnational level (eds Aurélie Montarnal Matthieu Lauras Chihab Hanachi F. B. Tina Comes, Ed.). Albi, France: Iscram.
Abstract: All too often the collection as well as analysis of data for humanitarian response only starts once a disaster hits. This paper proposes a framework to assess Data Preparedness on five dimensions: Data Sets, Data Services and Tooling, Data Governance, Data Literacy, and Networked Organizations for Data. We demonstrate for one dimension, i.e. Data Sets, how it can be quantified. First step is to determine which Data Sets must be collected before a disaster strikes so that as many as possible decision-makers' information needs are covered. Subsequently, a Data Sets Preparedness Index can be calculated based on Completeness, Recency and Accuracy & Reliability. We tested the index for Malawi and The Philippines and show how it can be used to direct data collection and determine when data analysis for e.g. predicting severity becomes meaningful. The index can be modified for reporting on global policies such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Gisli Olafsson. (2012). Humanitarian response in the age of mass collaboration and networked intelligence. In Z.Franco J. R. L. Rothkrantz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2012 Conference Proceedings – 9th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Vancouver, BC: Simon Fraser University.
Abstract: The current humanitarian system is based on institutions created during the Industrial Age. It was built when connectivity was a very scarce resource and information sharing was something that only happened during meetings. The increased resiliency of mobile communication networks and the proliferation of satellite based network connectivity have lead to information being much easier to share. At the same time the rise of social networks and the explosive growth of mobile ownership amongst the affected communities has lead to a new way of communicating. Furthermore the large institutional humanitarian response organizations are no longer the only responders, with multiple smaller organizations responding. This paper looks at the opportunities new technologies have provided in rethinking the humanitarian response system and how new approaches may address some of the key issues faced in large-scale disasters in recent years. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Robin E. Mays, Rebecca Walton, & Bridgette Savino. (2013). Emerging trends toward holistic disaster preparedness. In J. Geldermann and T. Müller S. Fortier F. F. T. Comes (Ed.), ISCRAM 2013 Conference Proceedings – 10th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 764–769). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: Our research reflects an emerging shift in understandings of effective preparedness practices from siloed approaches toward more holistic views. We trace a shifting perspective emerging in literature and present in the early qualitative data of current preparedness experts' interviews within an international humanitarian organization whose core mission is disaster preparedness and response. Designing effective information systems for disaster preparedness requires us to better understand the dynamic and implicit ways practitioners define effective work. Our pilot research begins to uncover preparedness experts' perspectives, with plans for the study to investigate how preparedness practitioners view, conduct, and evaluate their work at the lowest-level1. Our long-term research goal is to realize implications for the more effective design of tools and systems to support disaster preparedness.
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Aladdin Shamoug, Radmila Juric, & Shamimabi Paurobally. (2012). Ontological reasoning as a tool for humanitarian decision making. In Z.Franco J. R. L. Rothkrantz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2012 Conference Proceedings – 9th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Vancouver, BC: Simon Fraser University.
Abstract: We propose an OWL/SWRL enabled ontological environment which can play a role in reporting and decision making in Humanitarian Crises (HC). We use (5WH): WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY and HOW, as the main vehicle for gathering information for decision making. We implement the semantics of (5WH) through OWL models and perform reasoning with SWRL rules, in order to support decision making and create more efficient Humanitarian Response (HR). Our case study shows the feasibility of the proposal and its outcome. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Rebecca Walton, Robin E. Mays, & Mark P. Haselkorn. (2011). Defining fast: Factors affecting the experience of speed in humanitarian logistics. In E. Portela L. S. M.A. Santos (Ed.), 8th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: From Early-Warning Systems to Preparedness and Training, ISCRAM 2011. Lisbon: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Speed is a central value for emergency logistics stakeholders. Emergency response literature makes a compelling case for rapid logistics processes to provide goods and services in humanitarian emergencies. However, speed is not well-defined concept. While situational demand contributes to the need for speed, an important factor is the perception of speed given the experience of the response stakeholders. Unfortunately, the literature lacks complex, situated pictures of how logistics stakeholders experience speed (i.e., what does it mean for a logistics process to be “fast”? What factors affect whether stakeholders perceive a logistics experience as fast?) To address this gap, we explored how logistics stakeholders in a large international humanitarian organization experience and perceive speed of operations. Our findings suggest that (1) the experience of speed is often comparative, not solely objective; (2) close communication between internal clients (field requestors) and service providers (logistics team) can make clients more likely to experience the logistics process as fast; and (3) feeling in control of decision-making can make both clients and service providers more likely to experience the logistics process as fast.
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