Can cellphones be used to learn about conflict events?

Between 2009 and 2011 Columbia University implemented Voix des Kivus in Eastern Congo; an SMS-based pilot project to obtain high quality data about conflict events in real-time from hard-to-access areas. To obtain high-quality data Columbia invented "crowdseeding" -- in contrast to data-collection projects based on "crowdsourcing". Last week the academic study came out discussing data quality and using the data for a downstream experiment to assess the conflict effects of international aid. The abstract:

Poor quality data about conflict events weakens humanitarian responses and hinders academic research on the dynamics of violence. To address this problem we piloted a data gathering system in Eastern Congo in which reporters in randomly selected villages reported on events in real-time. We describe the data generated through this system and use it to implement a downstream experiment that illustrates how the data can be used. We take advantage of exogenous variation in the allocation of development aid to assess whether aid is associated with increased or reduced violence. Our data suggests that aid had a negative effect on conflict. Critically, by exploiting the continuous nature of our data, we also highlight the sensitivity of estimates of effects to the timing of measurement.

The complete study can be found HERE.

If you're looking for great enumerators in Eastern Congo?

Chris asking for directions to locals. Enumerators often

spend days getting from one village to the next.

We worked with an excellent group of almost 100 enumerators for about 18 months in South Kivu, Maniema, Tanganyika and Haut Katanga, DRC. These enumerators are:

• Well-trained: Raul and me did this ourselves for months in 2010 (see eg here);
• All-round: They know how to conducts surveys (ours was very complicated: here the design document), list-experiments, general assemblies, focus groups, etc. They also drive motorbikes and use PDAs and GPS devices. 
• Experienced: They worked in some of the world's harshest (especially transport and disease-wise) and insecure conditions -- often being away from larger villages for weeks;
• Trustworthy: After working 18 months closely together with them (often spending nights in a row in the field together), I know them well and trust them.

They are on the look out for new work. Given its Congo, even this extra-ordinary group of people has difficulties finding jobs! They come with our highest recommendation. Please find contact information here. Also feel free to take up contact with me for more information. These guys are really amazing.

Chris conducting a general assembly.

Mapendo conducting a survey.

 

Luc and Edison entering a new village in Maniema.

Venant driving on some lovely Congolese roads.

(FYI: this is actually quite an ok road. Often the

the guys walk with the motorbike next to them)