During and after a disaster situation, it is essential for the affected communities, agencies and governments to plan the response mechanism for prioritising the understanding of who is in need of relief, where they are located, what is their immediate need, which agencies can supply the relief materials, identifying safe routes, and centres for relief material distribution, etc. The absence of proper channels to gather timely and adequate information often cause inefficient relief and response work. Innovative initiatives to use information and communication technologies (ICT) to enhance Disaster Risk Management (DRM) will significantly reduce the challenges of information management. This innovation is referred to as Information, Communication, Technology for Development (ICT4D).

ICT4D is the application of ICT for social, economic and political development with emphasis on social upliftment of the poor and marginalised.  Data collection through smartphones has increased the efficiency of human resource, reduced cost, time as well as paper-based consumption. This shift from paper-based surveys to app-based surveys is in line with Caritas India’s Key Strategic Pillars, ‘Dialogue’ and ‘Volunteerism’. It will help the organisation improve its dialogue with nature and will also help the organisation mobilise more volunteers for data collection in assessments and studies. During the floods in Kerala, Caritas India replaced its paper- based surveys in the M&E of the different relief and recovery programmes using both Kobo Collect and Commcare software applications. This has reduced the time required for collection of data, analysis and reporting. It also reduced the number of human resources required for data collection and reporting

On the 17^th of October 2019, Caritas India organised a one-day training of trainers (TOT) at its head office in New Delhi for its Disaster Risk Management staff. The training was part of the ‘European – Asian partnership for Building Capacities in Humanitarian Aid II’ project. The training was facilitated by Ms. Sonia, the Programme Officer of ADRA India. The agenda of the TOT was to equip the CI DRM staff to operate KoBoToolbox. It comprises of tools for collecting data from challenging environments. It is a free and open software. The software users are mostly professionals working in humanitarian crises, as well as aid professionals and researchers working in developing countries. The training imparted understanding and proficiency in using the software features to develop robust questionnaire to record information in a timely manner. The lessons learned in the training will contribute to better information management, which will in turn contribute to restructuring Caritas India’s risk management strategies. Hence this training will increase Caritas India’s efficiency in delivering humanitarian assistance to individuals and communities affected by various disasters.