The social network that protects women during natural disasters

Disaster-Prone Islands

Located between the Indian and Pacific oceans, Indonesia is the largest island country in the world. Indonesia has endured, on average, one major disaster every month since the 2004 tsunami including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods and other events caused by climate change. During natural disasters, women and children are 14 times more likely to die than men. In the aftermath, women face an increased threat of crime and street violence, as well as domestic violence at relief centres and refugee camps. Women, particularly expectant mothers, are also more vulnerable to outbreaks of infectious diseases and illness from contaminated water supplies, both problems that are common in the wake of extreme weather.

Banding together

According to research, men and women exhibit different behaviours before, during and after disasters. Women respond better to aftershock warnings, seek out more recovery information, prepare family members for emergencies, secure their homes and assist the community in long-term recovery. Perhaps most importantly, women band together in response to disasters. Using these insights, Atma Connect, realised that it was possible to empower women with training and technology and created the AtmaGo app and platform to do just that. Supported by funding from Qualcomm Wireless Reach and Vodafone Americas Foundation, as well as Cisco Foundation, IDEO.org, Ford Foundation, Mercy Corps, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and American Red Cross, AtmaGo is a women-focussed social networking mobile app, designed to support people before, during and after disaster situations.

Way to AtmaGo!

AtmaGo works in a variety of ways to improve women’s resilience to disasters, promote economic development, increase female public safety and reduce the short and long term impact of disasters. The app’s functionality allows women to share disaster alerts and recovery advice, exchange solutions to local problems such as traffic, public transport and crime and report neighbourhood issues such as broken infrastructure and garbage. By partnering with local women’s groups, NGOs and Governments, AtmaGo amplifies women’s voices to help rebuild their communities and fuel female leadership roles in disaster planning, management and recovery efforts.

Safety network

Women are more likely to survive natural disasters when they have good social networks and connections. To date there are over 5 million users on AtmaGo across 100 locations in Indonesia who have interacted with the app to take millions of actions to improve their communities and become better prepared for disasters.

“I volunteer regularly through AtmaGo. Last month I organized a food drive for people affected by a flash flood. Within 3 hours of posting on the app and sharing on social media, I was able to recruit 43 ladies to help me. It’s a wonderful feeling to be part of a network of like minded women who want to help strengthen and support our community”

Sumiata Bramantya, Indonesia