The challenges facing humanitarian operations today are numerous and immense, from access and preparedness to capacity and funding. In this network age, information and communications technology (ICT) plays an increasingly critical role, however this area of response too is hampered by these issues.

What can the humanitarian ICT community do to achieve more with less? How can they utilise the valuable technology they have on hand to be more efficient in what they do? How can they collaborate better with each other, to help save more lives?

These key questions will be addressed in the session Technology in Crisis Response at the upcoming Aid and International Development Forum (AIDF) Washington DC event. Technology experts from humanitarian, private and government organizations will debate these challenge areas - live - with actual examples from current operations.

On behalf of the Aid and International Development Forum, we cordially invite you to attend this session to hear what the panelists have to say, to voice your opinion, and to contribute to developing the way forward for IT and telecommunications in humanitarian response. There will be no individual presentations, no rehearsed speeches; just real discussion, about real issues with the intention of achieving real results.

Chair: Martin Kristensson, IT Emergency Coordinator, IT Emergency Coordination branch, United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)

Panelists:

• Steve Birnbaum, Consultant, Global VSAT Forum
• Paul Margie, US Representative, Telecoms sans Frontieres
• Keith Robertory, Disaster Response Emergency Communications Manager, American Red Cross
• Patrice Schmitz, emergency.lu, Directorate of Development Cooperation, Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Where and When:

Hall D, Walter E Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW, Washington, D.C.
Tuesday 21 May: 09:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 22 May: 09:00 - 18:00

The Aid and International Development Forum (AIDF) is a leading event for the humanitarian aid, relief and development sectors. AIDF facilitates partnerships, addresses global humanitarian and development issues and encourages sharing of expertise.