BANGKOK — Though the use of drones for humanitarian aid is still relatively new, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has been heavily exploring how best to utilize the technology.
The world's largest humanitarian network is currently experimenting with drone use across several countries and sectors, including a partnership with Land Rover to create a roof-mounted drone that can take off and land while the vehicle is moving, a concept being tested in Austria. A partnership with aerospace company Airbus, meanwhile, is looking at medium-range, light-payload cargo drones to deliver medication and vaccines.
Aarathi Krishnan, regional innovation and futures coordinator for the IFRC in the Asia Pacific, is the first to say that the organization must be careful to adopt drone use only if it provides a valid addition to existing efforts — and only if teams are first properly trained in how to utilize emerging tech.