The Challenge of Delivering Aid in a Disaster Zone

The 6 February double earthquake that hit south-eastern Türkiye and northern and western Syria left devastating effects on the region. Estimates show that the tragedy span across eleven provinces and over fifty thousand square kilometres, resulting in thousands of casualties. The World Health Organization declared it as the worst disaster to affect its 53-country Europe region in a century. UN Secretary-General António Guterres labeled it as an “epic natural disaster” while launching two emergency appeals for those affected.

Millions of people have been affected by this tragedy, and it is difficult to imagine anything worse happening. Nevertheless, digital and emerging technologies have significantly contributed to relief efforts.

Realists are accused by optimists of being pessimistic.

When I first conducted a risk assessment for my production facility, I raised the probability of having a plane crashed into the factory. Although I had a good rationale, i.e. the factory was closed to the airport even below the descending route, I remember that this was taken too pessimistic and not considered in the contingency plan. There was no plane crash into the factory, but during a risk assessment any consequences (positive or negative) need to be considered if there is the possibility of an event (favorable or unfavorable).

During times of global warming, climate change, we should be prepared to provide assistance while competing against the clock in the face of natural disasters.

"Natural events will only become disasters if we are unprepared."

A person who falls into sea without knowing how to swim, will experience a disaster.

The 7 most innovative uses of technology since the earthquake

The humanitarian community around the world was quick to offer support, financial donations, and solutions to both countries. Urgent aid was gathered with remarkable unity.

Technology has been used in the following innovative ways:

1. Sharing vital information and organizing support through social media. Some trapped people tweeted their location, sharing it with people who have large followers.
2. Those trapped could use a high-pitched whistle app to call for help.
3. A safety check feature has been available on Meta for many years, allowing users to inform family and friends of their safety.
4. Several search and rescue teams have set up their own WhatsApp helpline to disseminate information about their rescues and volunteer opportunities.
5. Millions of dollars in donations were raised by the crypto community, providing a lifeline to traditional banking operations in the wake of the financial crisis, although its real-world utility has been questioned.
6. Developers in the region developed basic HTML websites (to make them easier to read and load) for crisis assistance (some have been funded as start-ups). Heatmaps were created for rescue services, highlighting the areas where survivors could be buried. Blood donations were also tracked with this data. Links to temporary accommodations and those providing food and clothing were also available. AI-powered lists of those trapped in the rubble, as well as those who needed urgent humanitarian assistance or medical aid, were generated from scattered data. Finally, apps matched those willing to help with those in need of assistance.
7. Satellite images were used, as in previous disasters, to provide a wider view of the affected area. As a result of the images, relief agencies were able to identify the areas most affected as well as assess infrastructure conditions, which are crucial to ensuring that aid gets to those who need it.

How can we respond to this crisis by focusing on technology?

The use of technology has been so prevalent after this earthquake for a number of reasons.

First of all, there is a flourishing technology scene in Turkiye at least. Despite restrictions on cryptocurrency usage, the country ranks 12th globally for crypto adoption and has a large pool of tech entrepreneurs.

Türkiye has the youngest population in Europe, and it is the younger generation that is developing the country’s technological base. The country's youth have been at the forefront of relief efforts, utilizing their technological skills as well as offering traditional assistance.

Additionally, technology has increasingly contributed to disaster relief efforts over the past two decades through response, assessment, and management. Hence, what is happening in Türkiye is a natural continuation.

The importance of technology in the long run

There will be a great deal of reliance on technology in the aftermath of this disaster. Apps will be developed as specific needs arise, such as connecting those in need of assistance with the most appropriate aid agency or local group. The use of blockchain technology will facilitate the delivery of monetary aid in a more transparent and secure manner.

It is likely that AI will continue to support simple, but time-consuming tasks in the future, based on its success in assisting with basic, but time-consuming tasks. AI-powered chatbots could be used to provide quick and accurate responses to individuals' queries about relief efforts and assistance programs. By establishing reliable datasets to predict future earthquakes, AI could assist in developing models of likely outcomes, which are in turn used to support preparedness measures. The Metaverse is likely to be used to simulate earthquakes and train people to react to them.

According to what we recently witnessed, there are 7 critical issues to consider during a natural disaster:

1. ?Accessing the disaster zone.
2. Providing basic needs.
3. Treating the injured.
4. Preventing disease.
5. Dealing with trauma.
6. Coordinating with other agencies.
7. Leaving the area with safeguarded socio-economical infrastructure

The 7th step is a long-range process that needs to retain people in their homelands with sufficient “back-to-normal” and sometimes “better-than-old-normal” measures.

Only by uniting and common sense can we save lives.

How many deaths will it take till the people know

That too many people have died?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind

Bob Dylan - Blowin' in the Wind (Official Audio) - YouTube