The humanitarian and development sectors are facing an unprecedented challenge: A crisis of data fragmentation. In an age where digital technology allows for instant communication and analysis, the data that drives aid, policy, and recovery efforts remains largely siloed, outdated, and difficult to verify.
This information gap leads to delayed responses, misallocated resources, and a fundamental disconnect between decision-makers and the communities they aim to serve. To move beyond this paradigm, the global development community must embrace a new data architecture — one that is API-first, human-in-the-loop, and built on a foundation of collaboration.
The problem isn’t a lack of data; it’s a failure to manage it effectively. In post-conflict or disaster-affected areas, a multitude of groups — from large NGOs to small local organizations — collect critical information on everything from infrastructure damage to population displacement. Yet, this data often resides in disparate spreadsheets, local servers, or proprietary systems.
About the author
Saïd Abou Kharroub
Saïd Abou Kharroub is the CEO of CivAPI, a startup specializing in data API solutions. With over a decade of experience as an information management specialist at the United Nations, he has broad expertise in geospatial data, advanced analytics, and crisis response. His work contributed to shaping humanitarian outcomes in crises such as the Beirut Port Explosion and the Afghanistan shelter crisis. By integrating GIS and real-time dashboards, Abou Kharroub aims to support organizations to respond effectively to complex challenges while promoting equitable, data-driven solutions.
