Innovation

Movable Flush Toilet: Bridging the Gap Between Climate Change Mitigation and Disaster Response

Movable Flush Toilet: Bridging the Gap Between Climate Change Mitigation and Disaster Response

In the aftermath of natural disasters such as earthquakes or tsunamis, the paramount importance of sanitation becomes undeniably clear. Past events, notably the Great East Japan earthquake and the Kumamoto earthquake, illuminated the necessity for uninterrupted access to basic amenities like toilets. These pivotal experiences emphasised the dire need for a sanitation solution that is versatile, sustainable, and reliable, even amidst the unpredictabilities of crises.

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Innovation for the people

Innovation for the people

When you think of the word ‘innovation’, what, or who comes to mind? Is it Edison and the lightbulb, or Marie Curie and her discovery of radioactive elements to help treat cancer, or Dr Gladys West and her pioneering invention of GPS. Maybe even Bill Gates’ and Microsoft Word? For me, it’s Professor John I.Q. Nerdelbaum Frink Jr., scientist, inventor and Simpsons character.

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This is Your Award!

This is Your Award!

Spanish Red Cross have opened their Tech Awards to all Red Cross & Red Crescent volunteers and staff around the world who have been creating and deploying innovative technology solutions for their communities and National Societies. This is Your Award!

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Tech for good — what does it actually look like?

Tech for good — what does it actually look like?

New and emerging technologies have the potential to cause both great benefit and harm — yet the processes designed to develop and use these technologies rarely consider the humanitarian and social costs. How can technology be used for good? What does this look like? Who gets a say? These are some of the questions we are exploring at Humanitech, an initiative of Australian Red Cross, dedicated to harnessing the transformational power of technology for good.

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Are we doing enough to prepare for the Future?

Are we doing enough to prepare for the Future?

The global picture is quite grim – pandemic, protracted conflicts, impacts of climate crisis, growing inequalities and polarisation, increases in gender-based violence and drastic worsening of mental health. In addition, the crisis in Ukraine has brought another layer of uncertainty, complexity and heart-breaking human suffering with global implications. 

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Shamuk, reducing electronic waste by giving it a second life

Shamuk, reducing electronic waste by giving it a second life

Shamuk, leaving no one behind, is a project that seeks to reduce electronic waste by giving it a second life. Through repowering devices and delivering them to children in rural areas in Ecuador, it also reduces the digital gap and supports school reintegration. The initiative was designed and is led by volunteers from the Ecuadorian Red Cross, with funding and support from the IFRC Solferino Academy. 

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Planet:Red Summit showcased the power of many

Planet:Red Summit showcased the power of many

On October 12-14, 2021, we came together as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and organised a global, virtual summit Planet:Red. The focus of this summit was on two of the greatest threats in contemporary times, the climate crisis and pandemics, and also on stepping up the Movement’s local action to drive global impact on the humanitarian dimensions of both. 

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