Paper details
| Paper authors | Marie Faou |
| In panel on | Ctrl Shift? Exploring the impacts of digital change on power and accountability in humanitarian aid |
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Abstract
The widespread use of digital technologies in the humanitarian sector began around 10 years ago, at about the same time that the ‘digital revolution’ was taking place globally. Their introduction into humanitarian operations has had a significant impact on practices. They have brought new possibilities in relation to the mobilisation of resources (financial, logistical and human) both among humanitarian actors and populations. The participation of people affected by crises appears to be one of the aspects of humanitarian aid that has been impacted by the use of digital technologies. But what impact have they really had on participation? And to what extent have they contributed to people’s participation in humanitarian projects?
The paper aims to highlight key results from a study on the relationship between crisis-affected people’s participation and the use of digital technologies in crisis contexts. It is principally based on a literature review and interviews with people who work in the aid sector, principally from international aid NGOs. It highlights that the use of digital technologies in relation to the participation of crisis-affected people could represent a missed opportunity. Indeed, the use of digital technologies appears to contribute to the participation of people in crisis contexts, but only to a certain extent, or rather, only on certain levels.
