http://www.unglobalpulse.org/unicef-virtualworkshop Dr. Linus Bengtsson - a clinical epidemiologist – discussed his work with mobile phone networks to effectively track population movements following the Haiti Earthquake. The data collected assisted the more efficient distribution of humanitarian relief to populations in need. His new organization, Flowminder, based in Stolkholm Sweden, is establishing a global clearinghouse for aggregating, analyzing, and disseminating anonymized mobile phone location data to NGOs and relief agencies during disaster relief and reconstruction efforts.

1. Big Data in the Service of
Humanitarian Operations
Linus Bengtsson, MD
linus.bengtsson@flowminder.org
linus.bengtsson@ki.se
Big Data and Real Time Analytics Virtual Workshop
UNICEF/UN Global Pulse
26 July, 2012

8. Methods
• 1.9 million anonymous SIM cards
• Ratio of the SIM cards to the adult
population in Port-au-Prince: 50%

10. Movements of SIM cards out of
Cholera Outbreak Area
Source: Bengtsson, Lu et al. PLoS Medicine

12. Comparison with Estimates
Used in Haiti
Source: Bengtsson, Lu et al. PLoS Medicine

13. Comparison with UNFPA Retrospective
Household Survey
Source: Bengtsson, Lu et al. PLoS Medicine

15. Flowminder.org:
Development and Implementation of the Method
in Dialogue with Global Pulse, other UN Agencies and Cell
Phone Operators

16. Representativeness, Representativeness
Representativeness
✴ Key Vulnerable groups:
- The poorest
- Children 5Y and unaccompanied
- Women (pregnant, lactating)
- The elderly
✴ Phone charging/power failures
✴ Network damages/coverage

17. The Future: Prediction

18. Mobility and Communicable Diseases
✴ Can population movements
predict epidemic spread of
cholera and other diseases?
✴ Malaria elimination strategies
and mobility
✴ Mobility of unvaccinated
populations