HIF supports revamp of KnowledgePoint

Online humanitarian Q&;A forum KnowledgePoint is modernising in its user experience, data security and use of gaming technology, among other areas, over the next six-months.

The forum was set-up in 2012 to give aid workers in remote locations access to free and fast expert advice, supporting aid agencies in exchanging and storing key technical knowledge.

KnowledgePoint has now gained more than 105,000 users across 183 countries, with a network of more than 150 technical experts answering questions in topics ranging from public health to security and logistics.

KnowledgePoint Coordinator Harriette Purchas said: “KnowledgePoint is like having an expert ‘in your back pocket’. You can now have access to leading specialists across all sectors, regardless of where they are, and tap into the vast wealth of experience that exists in the humanitarian, development, academic and private sectors. For an aid worker in the field that is a powerful resource.”

Supporting the fight against Ebola:

During the 2014-15 Ebola crisis, World Health Organization specialists used the site to share information with those working in the field and in remote locations that could not be safely assessed.

Between October 2015 and May 2016, 24 Ebola-related questions were asked, receiving 52 responses and being viewed collectively over 212,000 times.

Increasing access:

Elhra’s Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF) are now providing extra support to upgrade the platform to increase access and visibility within the humanitarian sector.

At the most fundamental level, the forum’s infrastructure, digital security provisions and suitability for mobile devices are being reviewed and upgraded.

This means that making improvements to the site will become much faster and much easier, user data will be fully protected and more people will be able to access the platform.

A more intuitive experience:

Users will also be treated to a more intuitive and dynamic KnowledgePoint experience.

Gaming techniques are being incorporated to enhance the rewards of taking part and the system for notifying users about newly-posted questions and answers is being redesigned.

A team of carefully selected technical experts will post a series of in-depth KnowledgePoint contributions on urgent technical challenges within humanitarian response.

Have you got a question you'd like them to answer? Ask it here.

KnowledgePoint is a partnership between RedR UK, WaterAid, IRC Wash and Practical Action.

Top image: Six-month blueprint for development of KnowledgePoint (credit RedR UK)