More than 2,000 “how-to” guides across 17 development themes — including in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene, agriculture, energy and disaster risk reduction — are now available on a mobile phone app.
Amid the rise of smartphone usage and greater mobile connectivity, as well as a stronger call than ever for knowledge sharing in development, tech-focused British charity Practical Action has started experimenting with the “Practical Answers” app.
Practical Action has been sharing technical know-how on a number of development subjects in more than 15 countries in South Asia, Latin America and Africa for over two decades through their website, where user downloads average 1.5 million annually, according to Sachin Sapkota, digital manager at the NGO.
But the app — available in both iOS and Google Play — will act as an alternative channel for knowledge sharing and transfer, he told Devex, a perception that a number of charities have adopted over the past few years. The American Red Cross created an app called “First Aid,” which gives users a step-by-step guide on what to do in case of medical emergencies. Charity Navigator has also developed an app that makes it easier for donors to assess their favorite or potential charities’ performance.
About the author
Jenny Lei Ravelo@JennyLeiRavelo
Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.
