Maintaining contact lists during emergencies can be difficult. One single ‘Master’ contact list should be maintained and shared between the Cluster IMO and Coordinator. Depending on security issues, the contact list might also be shared on the type of emergency, a WASH sector operational website can be hosted by OCHA or UNHCR, or both. This website will contain all relevant WASH sector response information such as assessments, maps, reports, meeting information etc. The IMO can be given permission to upload Cluster information on the OCHA (https://humanitarianresponse.info) site, which is the recommended approach. On top of the GWC guidance, See https://humanitarianresponse.info/help for comprehensive instructions on how to upload information to Hr.info. In addition, the IMO can work closely with the UNHCR IMO to upload information on the UNHCR site if applicable for that situation (http://data.unhcr.org). Add a link to the operational website to your email signature.Register on the website to receive alerts to certain content (assessments, maps etc.).If possible, use the contact tool to keep contacts up to date, in this way the master contact list can remain on the site without duplications and partners can register ‘in’ and ‘out’ of the emergency.Be aware of making all information public (consult with Cluster Coordinator and IMWG before uploading data that may be of a sensitive nature)operational website (publically or password-protected). Depending on the context, the contact list: can be shared by email; sit within an online document repository (e.g. Drop Box); or sit in the cloud (e.g. Google Docs, MailChimp, HID). Consideration needs to be given to use of individual tools for specific emergency situations; more manual solutions will require effort to keep the list up-to- date; online tools may require internet connectivity and licenses. There are also some useful apps that help you to collect and manage contact information. A smartphone with a camera and suitable app can scan a business card and instantly update the information to a phone contact list. In addition, individual QR codes on stickers can be generated for Cluster members to stick on the back of phones so others can scan the QR code to get an instant upload of the contact to the phone (see more on QR Codes later in the section). |