Ushahidi

Ushahidi is an open source software application which utilises user-generated reports to collate and map data. It uses the concept of crowdsourcing serving as an initial model for what has been coined as “activist mapping” – the combination of social activism, citizen journalism and geographic information. Ushahidi allows local observers to submit reports using their mobile phones or the Internet, creating an archive of events with geographic and time-date information. The Ushahidi platform is often used for crisis response, human rights reporting, and election monitoring.] Ushahidi (Swahili for “testimony”, closely related to shahidi which means “witness”) was created in the aftermath of Kenya’s disputed 2007 presidential election that collected eyewitness reports of violence reported by email and text message and placed them on a Google Maps map. The application Ushahidi is being maintained by a global not-for-profit technology company with the same name, whose mission is to develop integrated tools and services to enable people to generate solutions and mobilize communities for good.