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CrisisInfo: A comprehensive crisis information platform

The begining

In 2004, Zsolt Boszormenyi pioneered the establishment of the Emergency Information Service (VÉSZ) in Hungary, during the infancy of the Internet in the country. At a time when tools like Google Maps and Google News were non-existent, and many of today's foundational open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools were yet to be developed.

The 2004 Indonesian tsunami on December 26 was a turning point. Through adept early information gathering from the affected regions, the service quickly gained global recognition.

As technology evolved, so did VÉSZ. The advent of Google Maps transformed its visual representation, and the rise of Facebook amplified the dissemination of emergency and disaster-related information. The system soon incorporated features like RSS, Google Earth (kml), and the Common Alerting Protocol API.

By this time, multiple international organizations tapped into this free service. Zsolt was invited to international working groups and became an external information resource for the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Keeping pace with the mobile revolution, the first Android-based notification service was launched, complemented by an alert service rooted in email. The service had its footprint globally, with notable achievements such as life-saving notifications in Australia.

Around this period, Csaba Kókai joined the endeavor. With his high-level expertise, he played a pivotal role in advancing a system that operated on a modest budget of just $100 per month. Numerous government agencies across the world began utilizing the freely shared information daily.

In 2018, Zsolt received an invitation to contribute his expertise to an international group focused on launching an early epidemic detection system. A year later, he relocated to Tokyo, joining a Japanese Disaster Information Organization as a systems engineer. This move provided him firsthand experience with the myriad natural disasters that frequently affect the archipelago. After three and a half years, he parted ways with the Japanese entity.

Teaming up with Csaba Kókai, they founded the International Disaster and Emergency Center (IDEMC). Within the framework of IDEMC, the duo resurrected and enhanced their crisis, emergency, and disaster information service, now aptly named CRISISINFO.

Executive Summary

CrisisInfo is a comprehensive crisis information platform that provides organizations and individuals with real-time information on current and emerging crises around the world. The platform aggregates data from a variety of sources, including government agencies, news organizations, and social media, and provides a centralized location for users to access information on a variety of crisis-related topics.

Problem

Crises are a global phenomenon that can have a significant impact on individuals, organizations, and communities. In order to respond to crises effectively, it is important to have access to timely and accurate information. However, finding and managing this information can be a challenge.

Solution

CrisisInfo provides a comprehensive and easy-to-use platform for accessing crisis information. The platform aggregates data from a variety of sources, including government agencies, news organizations, and social media. This information is then presented in a clear and concise format that is easy to understand.

Benefits

CrisisInfo offers a number of benefits for organizations and individuals, including:

  • Real-time information: CrisisInfo provides users with access to real-time information on current and emerging crises.
  • Comprehensive coverage: CrisisInfo aggregates data from a variety of sources, providing users with a comprehensive view of a crisis.
  • Easy to use: CrisisInfo is a user-friendly platform that is easy to navigate and use.

Target Audience

CrisisInfo is a valuable tool for a variety of stakeholders, including:

  • Government agencies: CrisisInfo can help government agencies to respond to crises more effectively.
  • Non-governmental organizations: CrisisInfo can help non-governmental organizations to provide assistance to those affected by crises.
  • Media organizations: CrisisInfo can help media organizations to report on crises accurately and responsibly.
  • Individuals: CrisisInfo can help individuals to stay informed about crises and to take steps to protect themselves.

Conclusion

CrisisInfo is a valuable tool that can help organizations and individuals to respond to crises more effectively. The platform provides real-time information on current and emerging crises, and it is easy to use and navigate.