Practices and consequences of using humanitarian technologies in volatile aid settings

Abstract

This article presents the results of an exploratory study into aid agencies' use of technologies for security purposes. Since there appears to be a consensus in the aid sector that areas of operations are increasingly dangerous, aid agencies are upgrading their security strategies by adopting technological innovations. I conducted Skype interviews with security managers and country directors responsible for operations in dangerous countries. These interviews show that humanitarian technologies are more and more used in volatile countries for security reasons. In this light, I empirically assess the critique of some academics (1) that risks are not mitigated but transferred to more vulnerable actors, (2) that technology is not a neutral fix but has local political repercussions, and (3) that international and national aid workers grow increasingly distant from their local counterparts and the people they aim to help. This article contributes to the literature by critically re-evaluating and nuancing these critiques.

The potential for computational IT tools in disaster relief and shelter design

“…(Soesilo et al, 2019(Soesilo et al, & 2016, and the use of UAV drones in humanitarian action is a rapidly emerging field (Dowson, 2018;Tasevski, 2018). Kalkman (2018) carried out exploratory research into humanitarian aid agencies' use of technologies during post-crisis rehabilitation and found that the use of IT had significantly increased in these areas. It was concluded that technology must not be treated as a neutral fix since it can leave political aftermath if used incorrectly (Raghad and Dave, 2016).…”

Educational Information Technologies for Fostering Pedagogical Activity and Strengthening Public Health in the Context of Implementing State Policy on the Education of Humanistic-Legal Values

“…His life is filled with meaning, although he does not always formulate it for himself. It is in constant development and contributes to the development of other people (Kalkman, 2018). Realizing that his life may not be entirely easy, he must learn to easily adapt to the rapidly changing conditions of life.…”

Technology

“…Debates about "experimental" technology are related to this issue. This links to the gap between laboratory and humanitarian field use, the effects and implications of using humanitarian technologies in volatile aid settings (Kalkman 2018), and how to limit risks, referring to revitalized discussions about the principle of "do no harm" (i.e. delivering aid without causing harm) in the context of humanitarian technology (Sandvik, Jacobsen and McDonald 2017).…”