Globe Pioneers Disaster Response with UN-led DISHA Initiative

In a groundbreaking move, Globe Telecom, a leading telecommunications and digital solutions provider in the Philippines, has become the first mobile network operator (MNO) to join the UN Global Pulse's Data Insights for Social and Humanitarian Action (DISHA) coalition. This partnership leverages AI-driven data to enhance disaster preparedness and response, a critical need in a region prone to natural disasters.

The Philippines, one of the world's most disaster-prone regions, faces risks from floods, cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides. About 74% of the population is at risk from these natural hazards. Globe's partnership with DISHA aims to address these challenges by providing timely and accurate information to direct aid and ensure swift recovery efforts.



Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer at Globe, emphasized the company's commitment to sustainability and digital technology. "Given the Philippines' vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, Globe is honored to be the first telecommunications company to join the DISHA coalition. This multi-sectoral partnership underscores our commitment to sustainability by leveraging digital technology to enable solutions and inspire collective action towards inclusive sustainable development," she said.

The DISHA initiative addresses the challenge of timely and accurate information in disaster response through its dynamic Socio-Economic Mapping solution. Developed in collaboration with McKinsey & Company and its AI arm QuantumBlack, this solution includes two key features: the Population Movement heatmap and the Poverty Nowcasting feature.

The Population Movement heatmap highlights unexpected population movement in disaster-stricken regions in near real time using trends derived from telecommunications data. This feature allows Globe to quickly identify areas where people have moved due to disasters, enabling more targeted and efficient distribution of aid and resources. For instance, during a flood or earthquake, the heatmap can show where people have evacuated to, helping Globe prioritize service availability in those shelter areas.

The Poverty Nowcasting feature uses machine learning models trained on government census data, telecom trends, and other anonymized signals to provide a regularly updated view of poverty levels. This feature can help Globe understand the economic impact of disasters on affected communities, allowing for more effective allocation of resources. For example, if a disaster has caused a significant increase in poverty levels in a particular area, Globe can use this information to provide targeted financial assistance or other forms of support to those in need.

Jenny Echevarria, VP for Enterprise Data and Strategic Services at Globe, noted the importance of digital connectivity in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially on disaster management. "Our partnership with DISHA provides a crucial data-for-good solution that will enable disaster management agencies and partner organizations to deliver life-saving aid to those who need it the most. Because connectivity is essential in those first critical hours after a disaster, DISHA's Socio-Economic Mapping solution allows Globe to proactively prioritize service availability in shelter areas to enable recovery," she said.

The partnership also involves collaboration with other humanitarian organizations, such as the Catholic Relief Services, the Philippine Red Cross, and Oxfam. These organizations have contributed to refining the DISHA dashboard by providing feedback to improve its usability and effectiveness. The beta-testing program in the country is now expanding, and humanitarian organizations in the Philippines are invited to test and validate the solution.

The 2024 GSMA SDG Impact Report highlights DISHA's innovative approach and Globe's role as its data partner in the Philippine pilot run. This initiative supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities and Goal 13 on climate action.

In summary, Globe's partnership with the DISHA initiative is a strategic move that aligns with its sustainability goals and CSR strategies, offering potential benefits in disaster preparedness and response. However, it also presents challenges related to data privacy, technological integration, and scalability. As the world continues to face the impacts of climate change, initiatives like this one are crucial in building resilience and ensuring that communities are better prepared to respond to natural disasters.