Roll out other IM tools as required:
Aspects related to Information Management and new technologies are diverse in modern emergencies, ranging from surveys to mapping. In this section are presented a sample of tools that can be be used on a ad hoc basis:
Online Survey Tools
Information collection from partners for specific exercises (e.g. capacity mapping) or ad hoc requests is often best undertaken with a simple, user-friendly online survey tool. For such surveys, it is best to make them as quantitative as possible, avoiding lengthy qualitative analysis. see the Free Online Survey Tools for a list of survey tools recommended by the GWC
Digital Team Communications
There is increasingly internet connectivity during disasters and there are a number of tools that are very useful to stay in contact with the Cluster colleagues; such as Skype, WhatsApp, Slack, Vyber, etc.
Whatever platform is selected, try and keep communication to a mínimum and share key information only.
Project Management
The GWC Project Management Tools lists a number of software packages that can help manage the overall WASH coordination ‘project’, though those described are packages available within UNICEF as the CLA. Depending on the length and size of the response, it may be worth investing in a PM tool, however, this is a decision to be taken carefully as it can consume alot of time to maintain.
Business Cards
Business card templates are very useful but can be hard to source/print at the start and during emergencies. The GWC Business cards templates enable the IMO/CC to easily print out their contact details on paper and distribute at meetings without the costs involved in professional printing.
Offline Maps
It can be very useful to download and store high resolution maps on a phone/tablet before arriving in an emergency situation where there may be no internet connectivity. There are a number of useful apps which enable the download and storage of maps, which means there is no cost to access maps on the road.
Note that a phone/tablet GPS will still work with offline maps (identifying the location on the map) making offline mapping very useful in emergency situations.
Key external web links