Signpost reminds us that nice issues are potential by collaboration

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Signpost reminds us that nice issues are potential by collaboration


This weblog was written by Andre Heller, Program Director of Signpost. Signpost, is an International Rescue Committee (IRC)-led consortium mission that creates digital data hubs to equip and empower shoppers in instances of disaster. 


Andre Heller, Program Director, Signpost
Andre Heller – Program Director, Signpost

This yr’s World Humanitarian Day theme is “No Matter What” – a recognition that the humanitarian neighborhood strives to achieve individuals in disaster with lifesaving help, whatever the risks or difficulties in making that occur. That tenacious spirit is each becoming and mandatory this yr. Since final August, long-standing humanitarian crises in locations like Syria and Venezuela haven’t abated. At the identical time, new crises have emerged or circumstances have deteriorated to alarming extents in international locations as far-flung as Afghanistan, Haiti, Niger and Sudan.

In the face of those mounting challenges, it’s comprehensible to really feel despair. But there are causes to hope. People going through unimaginable issue consistently discover new methods to persist, get better, and ultimately thrive. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) sees their braveness and resilience firsthand day-after-day. And the humanitarian neighborhood that serves them, in partnership with donors and grassroots communities around the globe, are growing new and extra highly effective methods to maneuver humanity to a greater place.

A robust instance of that is Signpost, an IRC-led consortium mission that creates digital data hubs to equip and empower shoppers in instances of disaster. Signpost platforms ship essential data by native groups geared up with cutting-edge digital instruments — offering communities with well timed and actionable data. That data is significant for individuals to resolve troublesome and complicated issues and make pivotal choices on their plan of action in instances of disaster.

Two women looking at a cell phone
After fleeing violence in Honduras, Maria meets with an IRC employees member who exhibits her the InfoDigna web site, a Signpost initiative that gives dependable data for individuals transiting by Mexico. Photo Credit: Paul Ratje

The right data on the proper time helps individuals perceive massive questions like: is it secure to flee the nation? Am I eligible for a meals program to help my household? Where can I discover employment? Where to search out the hospital that may assist with a persistent sickness? How do I enroll my youngsters in a brand new faculty in a brand new metropolis? Where can my household discover shelter in a spot that’s secure from violence?

Signpost helps individuals method these questions with up-to-date, correct data. It is now lively in 22 international locations throughout 5 continents and plans to increase within the months and years forward.

From the start, partnership has been a key component of Signpost’s energy and success. Cisco’s help empowered the Signpost know-how workforce to innovate and take away years of backlog. In only one yr Signpost constructed the next applied sciences that helped exponentially develop the attain and influence of this system:

Service Map Rebuild

A low-code knowledge administration system for Service Mapping Officers throughout the globe to map service places so our shoppers can higher entry the locations they want. This instrument can hook up with chatbots, geospatial knowledge, and handle real-time incoming data.

Universal Analytics Stack

A central hub the place all Signpost knowledge is securely saved to facilitate higher concentrating on of humanitarian data and assist in humanitarian advocacy.

New Front End

A fast-deploy and centrally administered web-application deployed to over 10 international locations. This template can operate on-line and offline, and retailer essential data with a utilitarian method.

Woman on laptop looking over shoulder at camera
IRC employees have a look at CuentaNos.org within the workplace in El Salvador. Cuenta Nos is Signpost in Central America.

In the previous yr of Cisco’s help, Signpost reached 32 million individuals, served 5.74 million customers, with 131,830 distinctive two-way communications with shoppers, practically doubling our influence numbers from all years (2015-2022) previous. This help led to a 188% improve in attain, 187% improve in customers, and 393% improve in two-way communications over final yr’s annual rely.

In recognition of Signpost’s success in connecting individuals in disaster with important and vetted data, the United Nations not too long ago awarded the mission with a prestigious Sustainable Development Goal Action Award. There isn’t any query that daring and modern partnerships like Signpost have an enormous function to play in serving to the worldwide neighborhood each attain the United Nations’ Sustainable Development objectives and in serving to the humanitarian neighborhood serve its shoppers extra broadly.


To study extra concerning the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and its partnership with Cisco, in addition to how one can help and donate, go to the Cisco Crisis Response web page and IRC’s web site.

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