In the last 16 years (2000-2016), 3.5 billion people have been affected by disasters, according to information put out by GSMA. The economic losses due to disasters in the past 16 years are put at $1.9 trillion, leaving more than 65 million people displaced worldwide.
To help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, GSMA, a global mobile network provider is funding solutions that assist and empower individuals or communities affected by disasters, as well as solutions that prevent, prepare and respond to disasters around the world.
Therefore, social entrepreneurs, who have innovative ideas that support responses to natural disasters or humanitarian emergencies, are called on to apply for the GSMA Disaster Response Innovation Fund.
Applicants who are developing ideas in system sharing for critical humanitarian information or an IOT solution that trigger early warning system alerts are called on to apply for this opportunity.
Also, those with innovative solutions which enhance connectivity in post disaster environments; as well as open-source mobile based platforms for mapping humanitarian information, can apply for the funding.
“The GSMA Disaster Response Innovation Fund can provide funding to help you to test or scale it. We are looking for ideas that use mobile technology to assist and empower individuals or communities affected by humanitarian emergencies, or to strengthen prevention, preparedness and response in disaster contexts,” GSMA said in a written statement.
Successful applicants are eligible to funding of up to £300,000 per project, as well as promotion and networking opportunities.
“We fund either: Seed Projects to test new products or services; or Market Validation Projects to replicate proven products or services,” GSMA said.
Applicants must be a collaboration consisting of two or more Mobile Network Operators, NGOs, humanitarian agencies, national emergency/environmental bodies and/or private sector companies. Project impact should be delivered in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, or Latin America, the GSMA added.