Surprising Findings: Using Mobile Phones to Predict Population Displacement After Major Disasters
Rising concerns over the consequences of mass refugee flows during several crises in the late 1970′s is what prompted the United Nations (UN) to call for the establishment of early warning systems for the first time. “In 1978-79 for example, the United Nations and UNHCR were clearly overwhelmed by and unprepared for the mass influx of Indochinese refugees in South East Asia. The number of boat people washed onto the beaches there seriously challenged UNHCR’s capability to cope. One of the issues was the lack of advance information. The result was much human suffering, including many deaths. It took too long for emergency assistance by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to reach the sites” (Druke 2012).
Phi Beta Iota: We continue to advocate free cellular service for all humans as a foundation for creating infinite wealth. OpenBTS is ready — combine that with Open Spectrum and we have an accelerator effect.
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