Social Innovation and Technology at the Grassroots

Riaz KhanAsian Institute of Technology

What do mean by technology?

Usually we are referring to

information and communication!

Technology is more than just

being connected.

Use of technology: credit derivatives vs. mobile phone

payments.

And frequently we underestimate the logistical problem

of grassroots work.

The last mile /

100 miles!

Constraints: inequality, finances,

infrastructure, prejudice, insecurity,

hierarchy

GrameenBank

GrameenDanone

Aravind Eye Hospital

GrameenGC Eye Care

Hospital

Same treatment but differing

charges

GrameenShakti

Picture: Grameen Shakti (www.gshakti.org)

EMIN2004

INFORMATION PRODUCTS National

National Flood Extent Map ExampleNational Flood Extent Map ExampleNational River Situation Map ExampleNational River Situation Map Example (predicted extent in 24 hrs)(predicted extent in 24 hrs)

Open Water Extent Map, 23 July 2004

FFWC + Satellite Data

Users

Pilot Operational System

daily flood maps &

derived products

Packaging the product for Users

Flood MitigationCommunities

Satellite SAR

Conventional hydrologic data from site

Data

Flood Mitigation

Union Parisad, TNO, NGOs by Fax

and Mobile

Other

Products

FFWC forecast ( 24 hrs, 48 hrs)

Communication and Dissemination

community level

School Bazar Local Club Madrasa

Community Based Flood InformationCommunity Based Flood Information

Sample productSample product

Flood station signals

Easy Information media for direct delivery to the community, with improved lead-time and little or no literacy required. Information delivered through mobile phone

Flag Networks for Community

Half-hath rise predictedHalf-hath fall predicted

High FloodWater level will fall half-hath next 48 hrs

Normal FloodWater level will fall half-hath next 48 hrs

Flag Networks for Community

INFORMATION PRODUCTS for Community

BULLETIN BOARD NETWORKS

Inundation Extent in Nagarpur AreaUpazilla wise flood forecast bulletin

Relative Heights – 24hr Upazilla wise flood forecast bulletin

16 July 2004

FFWC Data

Data Source: World Bank PovcalNet

Data Source: World Bank PovcalNet

Data Source: World Bank PovcalNet

Data Source: World Bank PovcalNet