FAQs

Where do the SMS messages go after translation?

From launch, the messages were immediately sent to InSTEDD working with ICRC (The Red Cross) on the ground. More recently, we also send the messages to Ushahidi teams around the world who read every translation, do their best to make the coordinates more precise, stitch together fragmented texts, and send on all immediately actionable events to the US Coast Guard (who are one of the major response and relief coordinators)

The teams on the ground have the original sender's number to call (or text because they know this works!) if they need to get more information about the location or situation, or if the best action is to simply update the person with requested information.

The Red Cross and the Coast Guard are also working with many other organizations on the ground to coordinate responses, doing everything they can with the increasing amount of resources available to them.

How many messages are acted on?

Every one that can be.

Questions / Updates

If any of these instructions are not clear, please email Rob Munro at rmunro@stanford.edu or Brian Herbet at: brian@ushahidi.com. If you wish to add a report (not from the text message) please go to the main website: http://haiti.ushahidi.com/reports/submit