EEPA has worked together with humanitarian and health practitioners and students from Leiden University to develop applications that directly tackle pressing humanitarian data challenges. This initiative generated actionable solutions that can make meaningful differences for persons and organisations dealing with highly sensitive data. Working closely with practitioners in the field, operational data applications were designed specifically tailored to sensitive humanitarian and health data needs.
Applications Built on FAIR Principles
The applications developed in this partnership adhere to the FAIR principles, which stand for Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability, with a special focus on Ownership, Localisation, and Regulatory Compliance (collectively known as FAIR-OLR). By following these guidelines, the applications prioritize responsible management and ethical considerations in data handling, as well as contextual significance in their operational environments. The principles also ensure that the data can be accessed – under well-defined conditions – but stays secure and locally stored.
Here’s a closer look at a few of the applications:
- RPDS – FAIR-based Refugee Protection Data System – This platform serves as a central repository of crucial information aimed at supporting refugee protection initiatives. By collecting and organising data, it enables NGOs and other stakeholders to make informed decisions quickly and effectively, ensuring that assistance reaches those in need.
- SafeLine: This application functions as a secure platform for reporting incidents of sexual violence in conflict situations. SafeLine ensures users have a confidential and safe avenue to seek help or report cases, thereby breaking the silence surrounding this critical issue.
- Emergency Diary: An application that uses Solid-based personal pods designed for refugees to store documents and information, Emergency Diary makes it easy and safe for refugees to store and share their data.
- SafeVoice: Specifically designed for sources of human trafficking information, this app allows for safe reporting of human trafficking activities.
- Thinx: This research data application is dedicated to make it easy to upload, clean and make research data on human trafficking FAIR.
Future Development with VODAN Africa
Looking ahead, these applications will undergo further testing and refinement by VODAN Africa, which will help establish a fully operational Humanitarian Data Space. This collaboration is not only about enhancing the existing applications; it signifies a serious commitment to building sustainable solutions in humanitarian contexts for sensitive humanitarian and health information.
To achieve this, EEPA and VODAN are currently training FAIR Data Stewards to become specialists in handling sensitive data according to the FAIR-OLR principles.