Pakreport.org is collecting and distributing alerts about flood incidents in Pakistan.
It prevents duplication of efforts and brings to relief agencies’ attention areas where people need help. Given that agencies and citizens alike have little faith in the government to coordinate relief efforts, Pakreport fills an important coordination void.
Allowing anyone to report their observations of a flooded area, by texting 3441 or reporting online, Pakreport collates live information. Once verified by a Pakreport administrator, the information is placed on a map of Pakistan. Pakreport’s process ensures that only reliable information is published, but at the same time gives space for potentially life-saving information to be noted from private individuals.
Amnesty International has recognised the website's utility, as has the Ministry of Information and a number of media outlets. Several agencies (UNICEF Pakistan, UM Healthcare Trust, Association for the Development of Pakistan) are using Pakreport.
Past initiatives like PakReport have been effective in saving lives. Using Google Earth in conjunction with the Ushahidi platform, students at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston instant-messaged with the United States Coast Guard in Haiti, telling them where to search.
The website’s founder is Islamabad based technology entrepreneur and TED Fellow Faisal Chohan. Working with him are a team of volunteers drawn mainly from among professional crisis mappers and Pakistani postgraduate students in the United States.
So far the website has logged 1,523 reports. An increased awareness and use of the initiative will streamline flood relief.
Media:
Yahoo! News(for a second time)
TEDWorld NewsCityFM89
Tribune Christian Science Monitor and Yahoo! News
Amnesty International The AtlanticKurierDeutsche Welle OWNI Daily Maverick Codeweek You Phil Just means Pakistaniat PakTeaHouse ChupStreet Insider
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