Digitalization is often framed as inherently supportive of accountability to affected populations (AAP), enabling participation, voice, and redress at scale. But evidence shows that digital technologies can also reproduce or intensify existing power asymmetries between aid providers and crisis-affected communities. To make ethical and inclusive use of digital technology in emergencies, both practitioners and community members need agency and influence based on an understanding of the rights, risks and tradeoffs involved.

This panel discussion will build on collaboration between the UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub and CLEAR Global on community-informed guidance to make participatory technology development a reality in humanitarian settings. In particular, it will consider what crisis-affected communities themselves need in order to hold humanitarians to account in their use of digital technology.