Unlocking data and AI solutions for social impact
Data Insights for Social & Humanitarian Action, also known as DISHA, is a multi-partner initiative that aims to accelerate ethical and responsible access to data and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to unlock social impact at scale.
By facilitating the availability of reusable data through reliable models, standardised approaches and frameworks, DISHA enables the creation and expansion of actionable insights. These insights are designed to support more effective and inclusive efforts in humanitarian work, peacebuilding and development.
How DISHA works
Leveraging AI and sharing data for humanitarian and social use today is complex and resource-intensive.
By fostering multi-sector partnerships, DISHA ensures humanitarian organizations have access to essential data and AI models, enhancing their ability to respond swiftly and efficiently to disasters.
Learn more about the vision behind DISHA.
Products
DISHA is actively working on two products to develop scalable methods to enable data access, insight generation and impact for end users in this field.
Damage AssessmentUses AI models to automatically identify damaged buildings from high-resolution satellite imagery following a disaster. By deploying AI-based analysis, the time needed to generate maps indicating damage to buildings and infrastructure can be significantly reduced. Additionally, the use of AI-powered damage assessment tools allows for the analysis of larger geographical areas, delivering valuable information on a broader scale. The solution builds on two pre-existing products: Google’s SKAI model for damage assessment co-developed with WFP, and UN Global Pulse’s PulseSatellite tool: a collaborative web-based tool co-created with the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT). |
Socio-economic MappingUses mobile phone data to estimate poverty levels by region. Known as “nowcasting”, this technique helps humanitarian organizations predict areas where people might need food or cash assistance. Additionally, by analyzing mobile phone data, such as call patterns and top-up information, DISHA detects major population movements into or out of specific regions. This real-time information assists in quickly locating affected populations during emergencies. |
Responsible AI and Data Management
As a UN-led initiative, DISHA adheres fully to UN Principles for the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence and IASC Operational Guidance on Data Responsibility in Humanitarian Action. In particular, in our approach to responsible AI and data governance we commit to:
- Providing trustworthy AI tools by developing robust, fair, explainable, and privacy-preserving AI implementations. We are devoted to maintaining strong relationships with user organizations, partners, and data providers as well as governments and UN stakeholders throughout the product life cycle to ensure ethical and human rights risks, including privacy risks, are comprehensively identified and addressed.
- Ensuring reliable data practices that enable ethically sound approaches throughout the development and implementation of our activities. DISHA’s products are based on thoroughly documented user needs and circumstances, and are developed according to clearly specified user requirements. We assure data privacy and authorized access to insights.
We commit to fully disclosing the limitations of our products and making sure those limitations are well understood by our current and prospective users.
Our Partners
Led by UN Global Pulse, DISHA brings together a coalition of partners including Google.org, the Jain Family Institute, McKinsey & Company, the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Join Us
If you’re interested in partnering with us or learning more about DISHA, you can contact us at disha@unglobalpulse.org
Gayan Peiris, Head of Data and Technology, Chief Digital Office, UNDP
Kersten Jauer, Deputy Director, UN Secretary-General’s Office
Brigitte Hoyer Gosselink, 
Vilas Dhar, 
Ankit Bisht, Partner, McKinsey & Company
Arden Ali, Project Lead: Digital Ethics and Governance, Jain Family Institute
Jerome Hodges, Chief Research Officer, Jain Family Institute