Enhancing Humanitarian Efforts through Information Management: iMMAP's Contributions at HNPW 2023

iMMAP's Jordan Country Representative, Mohammed Belo, along with Mohie Alwahsh, Food Security Cluster Coordinator for Syria, delivered a session highlighting the utilization of Information Management (IM) in supporting the Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) cluster in Syria. Mr Belo emphasized the application of cutting-edge technologies such as satellite imagery to assess the health and cultivation status of crops. By employing these innovative tools, iMMAP enhances their ability to gather crucial data, enabling more effective decision-making and resource allocation for humanitarian efforts in the region. 

Jeffrey Villaveces, iMMAP's Colombia country representative, shared insights into how the organization engages communities in Colombia through the information management cycle. Mr Villaveces discussed the importance of providing communities with valuable information by employing techniques such as creating 3D models of settlements. Additionally, iMMAP collaborates closely with community leaders to ensure their active involvement in the data collection process, aiming to minimize biases. This approach not only strengthens the quality of data but also empowers local communities, fostering a sense of ownership and inclusivity in humanitarian initiatives. 

In a panel discussion moderated by Guido Pizzini, Coordinator for the Surge team, iMMAP representatives, including Mohammed Belo, Jeffrey Villaveces, and Bertrand Rukundo, the Head of Business Development, Technologies and Innovation, delved into the current state of art in IM. The panel aimed to identify the challenges faced by IM in humanitarian operations. Through audience engagement, they pinpointed leadership, standards and interoperability, data quality and trustworthiness, and timeliness as key factors. These challenges were thoroughly debated and discussed, providing valuable insights for improving IM practices in the future. 

Engaging with partners, Bertrand Rukundo, iMMAP's Head of Business Development, Technologies and Innovation, had the privilege of participating as a guest panelist in a session organized by Deep/Data Friendly Space that showcased practical examples of Natural Language Processing AI applications in the humanitarian sphere. It explored the benefits, risks, and ethical considerations of using NLP technology. Collaborations with organizations like OpenAI were discussed to leverage tools like ChatGPT and GPT4 for humanitarian purposes.  

Mr Rukundo shared iMMAP's experiences and perspectives, shedding light on how NLP can enhance information management and decision-making processes. Such collaborations and knowledge-sharing opportunities contribute to the development and advancement of innovative solutions in the humanitarian ecosystem.