Tech NGOs Working In Haiti

d5w writes "There are a thousand and one NGOs responding in some way to the disaster in Haiti, but the necessary infrastructure is usually overlooked when people give charity donations. In fact, some popular donation sites actively downgrade charities for spending on infrastructure. Here are two organizations responding in Haiti, though, that have a purely tech infrastructure focus: Télécoms Sans Frontières brings mobile telecom rigs and satellite phones to disaster sites, making sure that responders on the ground can communicate with each other and that individuals can contact families abroad; here's an eWeek story about TSF. MapAction sends experienced GIS people and GPS equipment to provide up-to-date mapping, which is important when the landscape has just changed drastically. Any others?"

Comments

And an NGO is what?

[Anonymous Coward]

Thanks.

Re:EWB

[sjalexander]

OK that failed utterly. Engineers Without Borders. http://www.ewb-usa.org/haiti.php they're not doing disaster relief per se but are involved in improving infrastructure in Haiti generally.

Re:Ushahidi

[stoolpigeon]

Ushahidi uses, in part, FrontlineSMS which also another great project doing some great work to help people world wide.
 
There are so many ways for people with tech skills to get involved it is overwhelming. NGOs, RMOs, all your nonprofit type organizations operating in the developing world are pretty much always in need of skilled workers on just about every level. They can't usually pay all that high or just have limited funds in general.
 
Those financial restraints also lead to the heavy use of FOSS projects. If you contribute to open and free software or solutions, there is a good chance your work will be used to help others.

Re:Hat's off to the French.

[LWATCDR]

I can honestly say that the people from Haiti I have meet have all been wonderful people. I am sure that just like every group of people their are the good, the bad, and the terrible. I don't think one can say that Haitians hate or love any group. They are people. Right now all I can say is that they need our help and we need to help.
Simple as that and I suggest that we stop damning any nation that is helping. Heck Cuba is giving the US overflight rights for relief flights. Iceland is helping out. I have the greatest respect for every group that is helping out. At this point historical grudges are useless. All that matters is the future and helping. So yes Doctors without Boarder you are great. The Red Cross. You are great. American Airline "they flew in 50,000 lbs of supplies yesterday" you are great. The USCG you are great, The USN you are great. Catholic Relief services you are great. The kid that is going to give his or her allowance is great.
GET OVER IT the arguing and give a few dollars. As Clinton said, "right now we need a whole lot of people to each give even just a little". http://bit.ly/4vM63t is a list of some of the best charities to donate to.

And to the scammers out there taking money that should be going to help. I want you found, skinned alive, rolled in rock salt, and dunked in vinegar!

And you credit card companies. If you don't want to be damned for all time wave all credit card fees for donations to reputable charities retroactively.

OpenStreetMap response

[solevita]

The OSM response has been hugely impressive with commercial companies donating high quality imagery that has been mapped by volunteers around the world. The resulting data has also been put to some very good uses. See here for an early description.