MISSION
PROFILES
2010 Haiti Earthquake
On January 12, 2010, a devastating 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, killing 250,000 people and injuring over 300,000. Amid the challenges of accessing medical care and emergency supplies, Help.NGO founder Adam Marlatt crossed into Haiti via the Dominican Republic, using his skills as a Marine to support patient transport, critical supply delivery, and food drops. This marked the beginning of Help.NGO, originally known as Global DIRT.
Help.NGO deployed an all-volunteer team of veterans and civilian experts to address gaps in supply logistics, resupplying hospitals, and air evacuation centers while distributing essential resources like fuel, IV medications, and oxygen. The team’s direct aid model delivered 1.5 million pounds of supplies to schools and orphanages in a single day, later inspiring a scaled operation by the UN World Food Programme to move 10 million pounds of aid.
Cholera Response
In 2012, Help.NGO supported Haiti’s cholera outbreak by filling critical hospital staffing gaps and using aerial reconnaissance with Heliaviation to track disease spread and deliver water purification supplies to affected areas. Despite restricted NGO movement due to election violence, Help.NGO continued operations to assist vulnerable communities.
2010 Pakistan Floods
In the summer of 2010, devastating floods in Pakistan displaced millions across Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan, leaving thousands in temporary camps without access to clean water and at risk of waterborne diseases.
Help.NGO, in partnership with IMAT, CMAT, and local NGO VNEEDU, deployed a team of experts to assess water needs, provide medical support, and deliver a NOAH Water purifier capable of producing 137,000 liters of clean water daily. After coordinating with local partners, the team set up the purifier in Sindh Province and transitioned its operation to VNEEDU. Together, they also facilitated the placement of numerous ground wells, ensuring sustainable access to clean water for affected communities.
2011 New Zealand Earthquake
In February 2011, a magnitude-7.2 earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand, devastating the Central Business District (CBD) and generating hundreds of thousands of tons of liquefaction. In response, Help.NGO deployed an assessment team equipped with a 10,000-liter-per-day water filter to support relief efforts.
Using Geographic Information System (GIS)-enabled cameras, the team mapped infrastructure damage across the CBD and relayed critical data to partners, including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), New Zealand Civil Defense, and the Christchurch Volunteer Army Foundation. This information, combined with thousands of crowd-sourced reports, was integrated into the USHAHIDI platform, creating a near real-time operational picture of the disaster zone.
In collaboration with the Christchurch Volunteer Army Foundation, Help.NGO also coordinated thousands of volunteers to manually clear liquefaction across the city. The needs management model and large-scale volunteer coordination plan developed during this response were later adapted for use in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
2011 Japan Tsunami
On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0–9.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan, triggering a devastating tsunami that impacted the Tōhoku region. This event is among the largest earthquakes ever recorded. Following recent operations in New Zealand, Help.NGO promptly placed eight Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) K-9 units on standby, coordinating with the Japanese government and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
As the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant unfolded, Help.NGO redirected its mission toward radiation monitoring and mapping. Collaborating with the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Embassy in Japan, the team sourced and donated radiation detectors, including a high-powered SAM 940 Radiation Isotope Identifier. Upon arrival, they conducted assessments of radiation type and strength from 70 km away to the plant's perimeter, sharing this critical data with the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Help.NGO's findings revealed radiation hotspots beyond the established 25-km exclusion zone, prompting the Japanese government to expand the zone and evacuate additional residents, thereby preventing harmful exposure. To further public safety efforts, Help.NGO partnered with local organizations such as Tokyo Hackerspace and SafeCast to conduct ongoing radiation monitoring and assessments. The organization also facilitated the donation of over 3,000 personal radiation detection devices, equipping residents and responders with essential tools to navigate the post-disaster environment safely.
2012 Haiti Port Au Prince EMS Development & Implementation
Ambulance services in Port-au-Prince were virtually non-existent before the 2010 earthquake. A tragic multi-car accident that claimed 32 lives and injured nearly 100 served as a turning point, prompting the Haitian government to establish the Centre Ambulancier National (CAN) program under the Ministry of Health. When selecting trainers and advisors for the initiative, the Haitian government turned to Help.NGO.
Help.NGO developed a customized curriculum for emergency medical services (EMS) tailored to Haiti’s unique challenges. By the summer of 2012, Help.NGO subject matter experts had trained over 75 personnel to the first responder level. In 2013, the program expanded to include a helicopter tourism initiative, with aircraft also serving as standby medical evacuation flights, enhancing coverage in northern and southern Haiti.
Today, Port-au-Prince ambulances operate through a centralized dispatch system accessible by dialing 116. These ambulances are equipped with essential medical supplies, including backboards, oxygen, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and trauma kits, significantly improving emergency medical care in Haiti.
2012 Super Storm Sandy
In October 2012, Help.NGO responded to Hurricane Sandy, first in Haiti and then in New York City. As the storm approached, the team stationed in Port-au-Prince began tracking its progress and responding to the immediate needs caused by heavy rains and flooding. After a week of efforts in Haiti, where the situation stabilized, Help.NGO redirected its focus to New York City, which was reeling from unprecedented flooding, wind damage, and widespread power outages.
Initial assessments in New York City revealed critical needs for interagency coordination, reliable digital communication, and targeted assistance at the individual family level. Help.NGO mobilized team members and partners from around the globe to scale up operations. This included members of the Volunteer Army Foundation of New Zealand, IT specialists from Boston and Ireland, and additional personnel from Help.NGO’s team in Haiti.
2013 Philippines Typhoon
On November 3, 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan formed in the Pacific Ocean, becoming the strongest storm ever recorded, with unprecedented wind speeds. In anticipation of the storm's devastation, Help.NGO subject matter experts mobilized all available assets, deploying an assessment and communications team that arrived in the Philippines as soon as flights resumed.
As the scale of destruction became evident, Help.NGO deployed medical teams and K-9 rescue units to Tacloban City, while other teams conducted damage assessments across the impact zone. Help.NGO’s communications teams brought large-scale assets donated by CISCO, GATR, and New Spirit Alliance to reestablish critical connectivity. These efforts facilitated the coordination of relief flights for medical personnel and enabled the last-mile delivery of mission-critical supplies via helicopter.
K-9 SAR Operations
Help.NGO’s Search and Rescue (SAR) K-9 team was the first international SAR unit to arrive in the Philippines, providing vital support in locating victims trapped in the debris. Following the initial two-week deployment, the Philippine government requested Help.NGO to redeploy its K-9 assets to assist the Human Remains Collection Task Force. Help.NGO responded by deploying additional personnel and specialized human remains detection (HRD) dogs, providing critical support in the aftermath of the typhoon.
2015 Nepal Earthquake
On April 25, 2015, a magnitude-7.9 earthquake struck Nepal, killing over 3,500 people and displacing more than 8 million, leaving them in urgent need of medical supplies, food, and shelter. In response, Help.NGO adopted a three-pronged approach to support the relief efforts led by the Government of Nepal.
Help.NGO deployed Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to assist in coordination with United Nations personnel, providing critical data for analysis and planning. A human remains detection K-9 team was mobilized to aid in recovery efforts, while medical technicians were deployed to deliver essential medical care to affected communities.
The UAS data was shared with local and international partners, supporting debris management, camp coordination and camp management (CCCM), and the distribution of humanitarian aid.
2016 Mediterranean Rescue
Since the Arab Spring in 2011, the Mediterranean Sea has become one of the most perilous border crossings in the world. By 2016, as the number and danger of crossings surged, Help.NGO deployed two rotations of rescue teams to provide critical assistance.
Utilizing a roster of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) specializing in technical rescue and rescue swimming, Help.NGO teams operated rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) from aboard the LifeBoat Minden. These teams conducted life-saving operations for individuals in distress at sea, working in close coordination with United Nations officials, other humanitarian organizations, and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Rome.
2017 US Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands experienced widespread devastation to infrastructure following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the fall of 2017. Help.NGO quickly deployed its Disaster Immediate Response Team (DIRT) to St. John to support relief efforts. In partnership with St. John Rescue, the team managed critical logistics during the relief stage, coordinating with local organizations to address infrastructure, healthcare, debris clearance, energy, housing, and communications needs.
Help.NGO collaborated with the local organization Love City Strong on a comprehensive canvassing project, visiting every structure on the island to assess and address community needs regularly. Leveraging advanced technology, the team partnered with Cubic Mission Solutions, NetHope, Cisco, Google, Facebook, and GATR to provide essential internet connectivity to priority locations. Additionally, Help.NGO worked extensively with Vanu Inc. to restore cellular communications, ensuring that critical lifelines were re-established.
Puerto Rico
As part of its broader response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, Help.NGO extended its operations to Puerto Rico. In coordination with Cubic Mission Solutions and GATR, Help.NGO’s connectivity teams deployed critical communications infrastructure across the commonwealth. These efforts allowed affected communities to reconnect with loved ones and facilitated communication with responding agencies, enabling the delivery of life-saving assistance.
2017 Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey, the strongest hurricane to strike Texas since Hurricane Carla in 1961, made landfall in August 2017. As one of only two U.S. hurricanes to ever prompt an extreme wind warning, Harvey caused catastrophic flooding and severe strain on reservoirs, highlighting the potential devastation of a breach. The storm resulted in an estimated $125 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.
In response, Help.NGO deployed its Red Team to Houston and Port Arthur, Texas, equipped with swift water rescue units, thermal imaging technology, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and advanced communications equipment. Utilizing Zodiac and NRS swift water rescue rafts operated by certified swift water rescue technicians from Help.NGO’s U.S. regional hubs, the team conducted extensive search and rescue operations in the hardest-hit areas.
2018-2019 UAS Capacity Building
Throughout 2018 and 2019, Help.NGO collaborated with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to deliver a series of global drone workshops aimed at equipping public sector personnel with the skills to utilize drones and drone imagery for emergency preparedness and response. These workshops built upon an initial coordination session held in December 2017, supported by the Government of Belgium, and jointly conducted by WFP and Help.NGO personnel.
The training workshops featured three comprehensive modules: Let’s COORDINATE, focused on enhancing cooperation between national and international stakeholders; Let’s FLY, a hands-on practical flight exercise; and Let’s MAP, which taught participants how to process and analyze drone data. The sessions brought together representatives from government agencies, academic institutions, and humanitarian organizations, offering them practical experience in UAS mapping, data processing, and flight coordination.
Workshops were conducted in key locations, including Mozambique, Colombia, Madagascar, Bolivia, Ethiopia, Haiti, and El Salvador, providing valuable training to stakeholders in regions prone to disasters. These efforts strengthened the capacity of local and international actors to effectively use drone technology in disaster preparedness and response operations.
2019 Mozambique Cyclone
After Cyclones Idai and Kenneth struck Mozambique in 2019, Help.NGO collaborated with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) to support the first-ever deployment of drones in an emergency response. Working closely with the Mozambican National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC), Help.NGO built upon prior trainings conducted in Mozambique and through South-South collaborations with personnel from Eswatini and Madagascar.
Help.NGO experts utilized drones to address critical requests from the humanitarian community. These efforts included producing high-resolution imagery of the city of Beira, conducting 3D critical infrastructure analysis, identifying GPS coordinates through GeoTagged images, performing population density analysis, and evaluating standing water to inform public health and recovery efforts.
2019 Bahamas Hurricane
Hurricane Dorian, the most intense cyclone ever to strike the Bahamas, made landfall on Abaco as a Category 5 storm on September 1, 2019. In the aftermath, Help.NGO played a critical role in the relief and recovery efforts, focusing on connectivity, technical expertise, and community support.
Help.NGO deployed subject matter experts to assist local community leaders on Elbow Cay, Abaco, providing guidance and assistance to direct the relief and recovery process. The organization also collaborated with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on a debris clearance initiative, conducting volumetric analysis of debris piles to enable program oversight and track progress effectively.
A significant feature of Help.NGO’s response to Hurricane Dorian was its innovative collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS). This response marked the first use of two AWS Snowball Edge (SBE) devices to enhance Help.NGO’s UAS drone imagery processing pipeline. AWS subject matter experts deployed to the Bahamas worked closely with Help.NGO personnel to ensure the successful implementation of this cutting-edge hardware. The integration of SBE technology resulted in a 14x improvement in processing throughput, enabling the rapid production of high-resolution, actionable data for humanitarian teams.
2020 Louisiana Hurricane
Hurricane Laura, the strongest storm to strike Louisiana in 150 years, made landfall in Cameron, Louisiana, on August 29, 2020, as a Category 4 storm. In response, Help.NGO focused on providing critical connectivity to support relief efforts in the region.
Working in coordination with private sector partners, Help.NGO deployed VSAT internet connectivity to strategically important locations, including three hospitals and rural supply distribution points. Additionally, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) were utilized to capture imagery of damaged areas in Lake Charles and Cameron Parish, providing valuable data to aid response and recovery operations.
2020 Honduras Hurricane
Hurricane Iota made landfall on Monday, November 16, 2020, near Haulover, Nicaragua, as a Category 4 storm with winds of up to 155 mph. Just weeks earlier, Category 4 Hurricane Eta struck 15 miles south of the same area. Together, the two storms devastated the region, affecting over 600,000 families in Honduras—approximately 4 million people, or nearly 50% of the population. The northern and western parts of the country bore the brunt of the destruction, with extensive damage to infrastructure, communications networks, and internet services.
With funding from the Internet Society (ISOC), Help.NGO responded both remotely and on the ground to address these critical needs. Remotely, the organization coordinated four Humanitarian OpenStreetMap (OSM) mapathons in partnership with the AWS Disaster Response Team and the broader OSM open-source community. These efforts produced enhanced baseline imagery, providing valuable data to humanitarian responders.
On the ground, Help.NGO collaborated with local partners, including the Honduran chapter of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF), to establish LTE points of presence. These efforts prioritized schools in San Pedro Sula that were serving as shelters for migrants and internally displaced persons (IDPs), ensuring vital connectivity for those most affected by the storms.
2020-2021 COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed major challenges to humanitarian operations across the globe, but it hasn’t stopped Help.NGO. With funding support from AWS DRT, Help.NGO engaged with Amazon Business and Amazon Italy to rapidly procure COVID-19 prevention materials in the early phases of the pandemic. Procured and distributed materials included 4,000 hand sanitizers, reusable masks, and 600 thermometers for WFP, FAO, and IFAD staff in the WFP HQ in Rome. Help.NGO was able to distribute the necessary materials, immediately allowing humanitarian aid workers and UN administrators to continue their important work. Around 600 rapid test kits were also procured and distributed to the WFP Ethiopia Country Office in Addis Ababa during the height of international demand to support the field hospital established in Ethiopia by WFP for UN and NGO humanitarian workers who contracted COVID-19 while on duty.
Thanks to the generous funding support from the Internet Society Foundation (ISOC), Help.NGO identified an overwhelming need for connectivity in ad hoc locations set up globally to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. ISOC made it possible for Help.NGO to assemble critical connectivity resources for over 1,000 healthcare workers across four continents, supporting their response and treatment of tens of thousands of patients. Help.NGO SMEs established over 150 internet connectivity sites and internet points of presence across seven countries, responded to the sudden Delta variant providing emergency connectivity to over 100 ambulances and other emergency vehicles with local partners in India, and continued to expand connectivity in Haiti where civil unrest combined with a new wave of COVID-19 infections to strain the Haitian healthcare system.
2021 Haiti Earthquake
In the wake of the devastating earthquake that hit Les Cayes, Haiti in the Western part of the island, Help.NGO mobilized local Help.NGO personnel in Haiti as well as international personnel from the United States and Poland to respond. A total of 25 internet LTE PoP (points of presence) were deployed for affected communities and medical facilities, with 10 allocated for the UN and coordination bodies providing secure telecoms for the international humanitarian response. UAS assessments were also performed at strategic locations upon the request of the DPC (Haitian Civil Protection Agency), with that data guiding the government’s broader response strategy to a disaster that left 650,000 in need of assistance.
2021 Kentucky Tornado
Mid-way through a 10-day table-top turned field exercise between Help.NGO and Amazon Web Services Disaster Response Team (AWS DRT), a series of catastrophic tornadoes the likes of which Kentucky had never seen tore through four states wreaking devastation to cities and towns scattered across more than 200 miles. In less than 24 hours after the storm struck and within 6 hours of the formal request for assistance, the combined team was already on the move, arriving on the ground and standing up operations in 48 hours.
The team linked up with other strategic partners including Verizon’s Crisis Response team and Intelsat, bringing connectivity equipment to get first responders and affected communities back online. Help.NGO deployed a 1.2 m GATR satellite antenna running on the Intelsat flex ground network as an internet backhaul for Verizon. This allowed Verizon to extend their network into the rural neighborhood of East Morson. Equipped with subject matter experts assembled from Help.NGO’s global offices in Haiti, Poland and the Philippines, the team also provided high-resolution UAS mapping to local authorities in Marshall County, which was later leveraged to guide the broader response and rebuilding effort.
2022 Brazil Landslides
In February 2022, Petrópolis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, experienced its worst rainfall since 1932, leading to over 230 deaths from floods and landslides. After a request for aid from the local Secretary of Economic Development, Energy, and International Relations, Help.NGO and Amazon Web Services Disaster Response Team (AWS DRT) geared up to provide technical support. Help.NGO experts used Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to map the affected area in 2D and 3D, providing maps for local authorities to more effectively respond to present and future landslides in the mountainous region. AWS Snow devices generated high-resolution maps in real-time, enabling Help.NGO's SMEs to operate from any location.
2022 Florida Hurricane
Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 storm, struck Southwest Florida on September 28, unleashing catastrophic winds of up to 155 mph and widespread flooding. The storm caused massive destruction across districts, islands, and coastlines, leaving nearly 140 fatalities in its wake.
In response, Help.NGO partnered with the Amazon Web Services Disaster Response Team (AWS DRT) to deliver critical emergency connectivity to nearly 100 vulnerable locations. These included emergency operations centers, charities, and non-profit organizations supporting affected communities, as well as high-speed, low-latency internet for first responders in the hardest-hit area of Fort Myers Beach.
To support these efforts, Help.NGO and AWS DRT deployed mobile terminals, including Starwin and Starlink, combined with cloud computing tools and a mix of advanced satellite technologies—LEO (Low Earth Orbit), MEO (Medium Earth Orbit), and GEO (Geostationary Orbit). This infrastructure enabled communication and coordination, empowering first responders and supporting recovery efforts as communities in Southwest Florida began to rebuild after the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian.
Ukraine
On February 24, 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine, Help.NGO, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), activated a standby roster of personnel and prepositioned Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) at humanitarian logistics hubs. As the only United Nations Standby Partner based in a country bordering Ukraine, Help.NGO swiftly responded to provide administrative and logistical support to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the Global Logistics Cluster (GLC).
The organization established a hub in Poland, facilitating collaboration and coordination among NGOs, UN agencies, and private sector partners to deploy critical assistance. Leveraging AWS’s innovative technical solutions, Help.NGO implemented secure, end-to-end encrypted messaging and connectivity across edge devices, ensuring a constant and secure connection for over 300 humanitarians from more than 50 local and international organizations operating in Poland, Moldova, and Ukraine.
Help.NGO also supported high-profile humanitarian missions, including providing connectivity for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The organization played a vital role in enabling secure communications for high-ranking convoys, including one led by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
In partnership with the Fuel Relief Fund, Help.NGO coordinated efforts to ensure fuel availability for critical operations, including the movement of humanitarian supplies, powering emergency equipment, and supporting local infrastructure recovery.
Additionally, Help.NGO implemented the “Comfort Convoy” program, delivering food, beverages, heating, and internet access to Ukrainians in need. These mobile safe spaces provided essential services and support, aiding communities recovering from the ongoing impacts of war and displacement.
2023 Türkiye Earthquake
The catastrophic earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria in the winter of 2023 left a devastating impact on the affected communities. Over 50,000 lives were lost, 200,000 buildings destroyed, and more than 120,000 people were injured, with up to 26m in need of humanitarian assistance according to the World Health Organization. In response, Help.NGO immediately deployed its Disaster Immediate Response Team to assist with assessment, drone mapping, and the distribution of relief supplies. The team worked tirelessly despite the widespread destruction and lack of electricity and connectivity in the affected areas.
Help.NGO worked also alongside the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOTOSM) to map disaster-affected areas in Syria and Türkiye. Drone and satellite imagery can be essential in identifying damaged buildings and assessing the extent of the disaster, helping responders estimate the loss and damage caused by the earthquake. These maps remain crucial for planning reconstruction efforts and providing aid to communities in need. The earthquake was a tragic event that left a lasting impact on the affected communities. However, the work of Help.NGO and its partners demonstrated the power of collaboration and the importance of quick response and recovery efforts in times of crisis.
On 25 October, Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm, struck Mexico’s Guerrero State with winds reaching up to 165 mph, causing major floods and landslides. Otis became the most powerful hurricane to hit Guerrero, heavily damaging Acapulco's infrastructure, causing power outages, and disrupting communication. Over 296,000 children in the five worst-affected municipalities needed humanitarian aid. Help.NGO, in partnership with the AWS Global Social Impact Team (AWS GSI), intervened within 48 hours of the crisis, providing emergency connectivity and mapping of affected areas. Utilizing UAS mapping, cloud computing, and the SnowBall Edge Device for on-site data processing, the team created 21 maps covering an area of 51 square kilometers, significantly aiding in the disaster response efforts.
Training
Help.NGO and AWS GSI conducted a series of theoretical and on-the-field classes aimed at strengthening the local government emergency agencies in UAS flight operations and cloud computing upskilling.
2024 Brazil Flooding
In May 2024, devastating floods struck Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, causing widespread destruction and claiming 181 lives, with over 615,000 people displaced. Help.NGO, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), provided critical support to local responders and communities, addressing severe impacts on the region's infrastructure.
Help.NGO mobilized a specialized team consisting of a coordinator, drone operators, logistics specialists, and a communication officer. Using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and WebODM, an AWS-hosted platform, the team produced detailed maps of the affected areas. Drones equipped with thermal cameras monitored water levels and supported search and rescue operations. AWS’s cloud capabilities enabled rapid processing and analysis of UAS imagery, even in areas with limited connectivity, aiding in needs assessments and response planning.
In response to the 2024 floods in Kenya, Help.NGO executed a strategic intervention to enhance local emergency response capabilities. A team of UAS technology and connectivity experts mapped a 44.1 km² flood-affected area, collecting 286.5 GB of data. The deployment of eight Starlink units provided connectivity to over 63,000 people across 13 counties, improving communication for emergency responders and affected communities.
In partnership with the Kenya Red Cross Society, ICHA, the Internet Society, and Gonline Africa, Help.NGO utilized technical solutions such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) for cloud computing and WebODM for data processing. This resulted in high-resolution maps and models crucial for disaster response and resource management.
Additionally, Help.NGO conducted capacity-building workshops and data-sharing initiatives, equipping local partners with tools and knowledge for future preparedness. These actions not only addressed immediate needs but also strengthened community resilience and disaster management practices in Kenya.
In February 2024, Chile’s regions of Coquimbo, Valparaíso, and O’Higgins experienced vast wildfires that resulted in extensive loss of homes, critical natural habitats, and vital agricultural territories. The rapid spread of the fires necessitated the evacuation of thousands, endangering both human lives and economic stability. Help.NGO and their strategic partner Amazon Web Services (AWS) joined forces with local organizations, such as the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) and the Chilean National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED), to identify critical zones requiring immediate attention and ensure that technological solutions and personnel were deployed effectively and efficiently. The team used Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for real-time surveillance and created detailed maps covering 1,685 acres in key areas to better navigate and mitigate the spreading fires.
Help.NGO collaborated with Red Cross Chile to provide satellite connectivity via Starlink, enhancing relief operations, especially on-site beneficiary registration in remote areas. Additionally, Help.NGO delivered comprehensive training to Red Cross Chile volunteers, equipping them with the necessary skills to set up and operate satellite terminals.
A devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Hualien County, Taiwan, on April 3, 2024, resulting in at least 18 deaths and over 1,100 injuries. Nearly 700 aftershocks followed within 24 hours, prompting tsunami alerts in Taiwan and nearby countries. This earthquake, the strongest to hit Taiwan since 1999, caused extensive infrastructure damage and significant landslides. On April 19, 2024, the Help.NGO team arrived in Taiwan to assist the local open-source community by providing satellite and drone imagery for OpenStreetMap through the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOTOSM). They utilized drones equipped with thermal cameras and satellite imagery to map the most affected areas, covering 3.5 square kilometers and documenting 16,932 buildings and 168 kilometers of roads.
At the end of their mission, Help.NGO conducted a knowledge exchange session at National Cheng Kung University's Geomatics Department This session led to productive discussions about further collaboration.
In early 2024, Colombia experienced a crisis with over 340 forest fires, worsened by the El Niño phenomenon. Help.NGO deployed a team of five Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to provide immediate crisis response in the country's most affected regions and to bolster firefighting efforts in collaboration with local emergency responders. Utilizing drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras and advanced technology from Amazon Web Services (AWS), including cloud computing and satellite connectivity, the team was able to effectively identify and combat the fires. This technology enabled the creation of detailed maps covering over 900 hectares of land and the identification of more than 500 hectares of active fires.
2024 Poland Floods
In September 2024, southern Poland was devastated by severe flooding caused by Storm Boris. Help.NGO swiftly mobilized to provide essential support to affected communities and first responders. Key interventions included the provision of satellite connectivity in isolated areas to facilitate crisis management, as well as drone mapping in impacted towns and villages. We mapped 12 square kilometers along riverbanks in Kłodzko and Głuchołazy to assist local authorities with damage assessment and recovery planning.
Help.NGO also provided hot meals to first responders and distributed critical aid packages, including tools such as water pumps and dehumidifiers. With support from Amazon Web Services (AWS), which offered cloud computing resources and financial assistance, Help.NGO enhanced the efficiency of its operations, helping stabilize the affected areas and laying the groundwork for long-term recovery.
2024 USA Hurricane Helene & Milton
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated the Southeastern United States, causing catastrophic flooding, storm surges, and severe wind damage across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Virginia. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, compounded the crisis, leaving over 3 million people without power and causing widespread destruction.
Help.NGO mobilized to restore critical communication infrastructure using satellite connectivity provided by Intelsat. By deploying multi-orbit systems, the organization ensured reliable communication for emergency responders and impacted communities.
Help.NGO partnered with Amazon to deliver over 5,100 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) to families in need. In collaboration with the Fuel Relief Fund, the organization also coordinated the delivery of essential fuel for generators, vehicles, and emergency equipment, enabling critical services to continue operating in the hardest-hit areas.
2024 Peru and Brazil Wildfires
In 2024, wildfires devastated Peru and Brazil, driven by drought and El Niño effects. In Peru, over 5,000 hectares burned, while Brazil faced its worst wildfire season in a decade, with millions of hectares lost, including parts of the Amazon rainforest.
Help.NGO deployed drone mapping teams to survey over 30 square kilometers of affected areas, providing critical fire data through AWS cloud platforms and OpenAerialMap. Portable satellite terminals were deployed to restore connectivity in Peru’s Ucayali region and Brazil’s Amazon basin, enabling responders to coordinate operations in remote and inaccessible areas.