Nonprofit Technology in Haiti
After the earthquake, nonprofit technology efforts are needed more than ever.
Nongovernmental organizations are doing great work on the ground in Haiti, and generous donations have allowed these NGOs to make significant headway. To make a lasting impact, relief workers also need the right technology, which is vital for repairing Haiti's information and communications infrastructure.
Support These Nonprofit Technology Organizations
TechSoup is working toward a time when every nonprofit and social benefit organization on the planet has the technology resources and knowledge they need to operate at their full potential. We can't do this alone: many other NGOs are working toward the same goal. The following nonprofit technology organizations are contributing to relief efforts in Haiti. Click through to each organization's website to support to their efforts.
The Extraordinaries make volunteers out of everyone by allowing people to complete simple tasks for other organizations. They set up a Haiti Earthquake Support Center to identify photos of missing people in Haiti. The campaign has finished, but they're still contacting other families, and other efforts are under way.
Follow this organization on Twitter: @Extraordinaries
Inveneo aims to provide information communications technology to people in poor and developing countries. They do this by training entrepreneurs in these target countries, who can then provide technology support to others.
Inveneo arrived in Haiti a week after the earthquake and deployed a long-distance WiFi network, giving vital communications capabilities to Haiti relief organizations in the NetHope network. Read more about this impressive feat.
Follow this organization on Twitter: @inveneo
Samasource provides training to local nonprofits and businesses in the poorest parts of the world, and then markets these partners' services to clients in the U.S. Essentially, it allows organizations in the U.S. to outsource computer-based work to the impoverished - mainly women, youth, and refugees.
In collaboration with Ushahidi, FrontlineSMS, and CrowdFlower, Samasource has set up Mission 4636, a free phone number for Haitians to request urgent aid. Volunteers can help out by translating text messages from Creole to English, allowing people in Haiti to get the aid they've requested.
Follow this organization on Twitter: @Samasource
Ushahidi developed a mapping platform in 2008 to track reports of post-election violence in Kenya. Other organizations have since adapted the engine to map other crises including human rights abuses, outbreaks of violence, and more.
After the earthquake in Haiti, volunteers at Ushahidi set up a website to map reports from the crisis and direct aid to those in need. They're also working with Samasource, FrontlineSMS, and CrowdFlower on Mission 4636.
Follow this organization on Twitter: @ushahidi
Image provided courtesy of: Andris Bjornson of Inveneo