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Cloud attack could be more costly than major natural disaster
Many NGOs are facing challenges with their funding and manpower, and left to struggle with issues larger than they can cope with. Whipple says that Qlik works with a variety of NGOs around the globe, and they have seen some very great examples of the industry becoming tech savvy and leveraging data to its greatest extent.
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“Some NGOs are working to improve collection in the field, while others, like Team Rubicon, have large amounts of data and want to showcase it in a new and innovative way. We are seeing tremendous advances across the sector. However, Team Rubicon is leading and that is very exciting for Qlik from a partner standpoint,” Whipple says.
Data-driven NGOs
Speaking of coordination, this is always a very important aspect of disaster relief, especially where many different organizations are involved. Qlik has some experience there, as it works with over 400 nonprofits around the globe, donating products and services through its Qlik Software Grant program.
Whipple says the program launched eight years ago with a focus to leverage Qlik’s software, services, and training to support organizations working to “make the world a better place.” Qlik partners with organizations looking to further their mission using data and analytics to reach more vulnerable people, faster, and most often with limited resources.
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When asked, Whipple noted there is a great deal of collaboration across the sector:
“Many NGOs work together to share ideas, best practices, and sometimes data all to further the work of the sector, especially within common regions. One relevant example is Medair. Qlik supports Medair, which is leading a refugee response in Jordan and Lebanon. Medair collects data and share with other NGOs operating in that region to maximize the efficiency and opportunity to positively impact as many lives as possible.”
Team Rubicon’s Open Initiative is an effort to increase transparency in NGOs by sharing data. (Image: Team Rubicon)
Sharing is good, obviously, although we do not really know exactly how this is done at present. Ideally, integrating data from disparate systems using standards and APIs would boost the efficiency of NGOs. But with NGOs being typically underprivileged, we cannot assume that even having a data-driven system in place is a given at this point.
As far as Team Rubicon’s efforts are concerned, Whipple notes that Qlik launched a corporate responsibility focus on climate change in 2018 that aligns to Team Rubicon’s work in Houston and Puerto Rico: “We have a partnership is place and intend to support Team Rubicon with their ongoing analytical needs.”
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Even though there are only so many grants to go by in a world with increasing needs, such efforts are commendable.
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