In Africa, the mobile phone has become a vital tool for insurance, health, education, and banking products that allows users to conveniently pay for goods and services. One relatively unknown benefit of the proliferation of phones, however, has been a reduction in deaths from natural disasters. Mobile technology has improved early warning systems, allowing humanitarian organizations to monitor droughts and other natural disasters, as well as helping displaced people find shelter and food.
Deaths from natural disasters in Africa are plummeting thanks to mobile phones
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