The Portland organization, Ushahidi, is receiving massive quantities of raw data in the form of text messages. We have an SMS short code (a short number to which people can send texts, analogous to 911 or 411 on telephones), which has been distributed via radio, cell phone service providers, and other media sources across Haiti. Haitians can send texts to this short code if they are hurt, in danger, need food or water, or for any other request for help. Once Ushahidi receives an SMS, we have a dedicated team of volunteers who use Google Earth and other mapping programs to pinpoint their exact location so that emergency responders and humanitarian workers can reach them. As you can imagine, many Haitians are taking advantage of this lifeline, and we are attempting to process thousands of text messages a day. We have an urgent need for people who can help us pinpoint locations.
As I said in my earlier email, I can train all volunteers, and we have an extensive support network set up to connect them to the rest of Ushahidi. This is what I'm looking for: 10-15 people who are tech-friendly (none of the programs we are using are complicated, but there are several of them) and willing to devote a couple of hours in the evening a couple of times a week. If you are still maintaining the Young Professionals network, I think this might be a project some of them would find interesting and rewarding. In addition, they will be working on the very cutting edge of humanitarian response to disasters, using a system no one has ever been able to apply successfully before this.
If you are willing to pass this on to the Young Professionals, or to Council volunteers who you think might be interested, I would be incredibly grateful. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at all. Thank you!
Beka Feathers
Please email jon@worldoregon.org if you are interested
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