BY EMEKA AGINAM
Ericsson  in partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) have joined forces to provide support to   improve disaster and crisis response using mobile technology.

The partnership initially would  focus on the use of mobile phones and applications designed to support Ebola infection-prevention efforts at primary healthcare facilities in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Accordingly, the partnership would  include joint projects, advocacy, knowledge-sharing and employee volunteer engagement
Specifically, the technology would  enable IRC teams to more accurately and efficiently capture and monitor data related to the facilities’ Ebola preparedness and response.

The partnership also would  provide technology and services that enable displaced families to reconnect with one another.
In the longer term, the organizations would  collaborate on employee volunteer engagement, common projects, advocacy and knowledge-sharing.

Speaking on the project,  David Miliband, President and CEO of IRC,  said that,  “The combination of IRC’s operational expertise and Ericsson’s technology leadership has huge potential to help alleviate human suffering in some of the places hardest hit by conflict and disease. Ericsson’s global reach and proven track record in using technology for good will be a huge asset in future relief efforts.”

Also speaking,  Elaine Weidman-Grunewald, Vice President Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility at Ericsson,  said that,

“The world of humanitarian response is challenged like never before. The spread of Ebola, the Syrian refugee crisis and less high-profile crisis in South Sudan all present different challenges to those working with humanitarian response.”

“ICT can play a critical role in responding to conflict and disaster, and effective communications contribute both to saving lives and alleviating suffering. Technology is increasingly seen as a way to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian response. Working in public-private partnership with IRC to leverage our respective strengths will help create real impact on the ground.”, he explained.

The International Rescue Committee helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future.

IRC teams provide health care, infrastructure, learning and economic support to people in 40 countries, with special programs designed for women and children.