Disaster Relief Apps
Disaster response has never been easy. Having the right tools can really help with the workload through! These are some of the best apps I’ve found for disaster relief.
Signal/Telegram
Signal and Telegram have become the frontrunner alternatives to WhatsApp. Humanitarian and disaster relief groups often rely on data-based messaging. These apps make it easier for team communications. They’re especially helpful for group conversations.
Signal
Android
IOS
MyRadar
This has been my go-to weather radar for several years now. For a few extra dollars, you can add on hurricane tracking and see city-specific radar stations. The number of free features will be more than enough to satisfy the average customer. It includes toggle features for the forecast, lightning, wind, temperature, next-day outlook, aviation layers, earthquakes, wildfires, power outages, storm chasers, and even the International Space Station.
Free Audiobook Player
Libby and Hoopla are both free audiobook apps. By signing in with your library card, you can download multiple audiobooks, ebooks, and even movies. They normally let you check out a certain number every month. Download them for offline use and you’re all set for the 11-hour flight!
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Earthquake Tracker
My first international disaster relief trip was a response to a large earthquake. With an earthquake tracking app, you can know in almost real-time when and where an earthquake occurred. You can set the app to only trigger above a certain magnitude or get notifications for local earthquakes.
If you are someone that might respond to an earthquake, this app can give you an early heads up that you may be deploying soon!
Android
IOS (generic search, the one I use isn’t available on IOS)
Medical Wikipedia
Have you ever wished you could carry a medical encyclopedia with you at all times? Well, now you can! This app downloads all the medical articles on Wikipedia straight to your phone. All the articles and images take up less than 2 GB.
I will not vouch for every article being 100% error-free, but your alternatives are nothing or subscription apps that can cost several hundred dollars every year. This app is kind of like having Google in your pocket!
Survival Manual
This is a free app with some basic survival articles on it. It has references for building shelters, tying knots, and what to do in different scenarios.
Just in case…
Android only
VPN
There are quite a few VPNs out there, even ones that claim to be free. However, you know how this works. It’s free, which means you’re the product. We found one that had great reviews and was rated high for transparency and security.
VPNs or virtual private networks encrypt your traffic so others can’t see it. NordVPN has servers across the world, so you can appear to be in a different place. VPNs are a great way to access the services you use in America (Netflix, Spotify, etc) while you are traveling abroad.
If you would like to try out NordVPN, you can join through our affiliate link and we will get a small part of the sale.
See the latest NordVPN deal
Maps
Maps are a must-have when you are traveling around the world. Be sure to download the area you will be working to your device before you go.
How to download maps google maps offline
Flight Radar 24
Want to track your flights or see if your next plane is running behind? Flight Radar 24 and FlightAware can let you know where your plane is while you’re waiting for it at the gate.
Language Learning Apps
Learning a few words before your international deployments can be really helpful. There are a lot of language apps out there and I’d encourage you to try several and see which one works best for you. Duolingo has a free option. Some of the others will offer trials. Your local library may provide you with free access to Mango.
Disaster Dashboard
Our disaster dashboards can be really handy to keep track of the weather and other events. You can save the dashboard website address as an app on your phone.
Disaster Dashboard
Also, check out our International Travel – Risk Map
How to add a website to your Android and IOS home screen
Police Radio Scanner
Many police scanner feeds are broadcast to the internet and can be easily listened to through an app. You can hear real-time updates about storm conditions or other disaster information. It’s another great way to stay informed during a disaster.
See: Finding information during a disaster
Scanner Radio – Police Scanner
Android
IOS
Bonus disaster relief Apps
What 3 Words
Here’s another app that may come in handy. This app has created a grid point for every location on earth using just three words. With this app, you won’t need an address. Just get the three words that are assigned to your grid (hotspot.portraits.treads for example) and you can instantly see the location.
Confused? Try it out here.
It’s a great app when addresses aren’t accurate or don’t pull up on google well. You can also use it for more detailed instructions like describing the entrance to a large building.
Android
IOS
Entertainment
Deployments are a great excuse to download a new offline game to try, a movie, or a season of that show you’ve been wanting to watch. It can be nice to just take a break and zone out sometimes. Having an offline music app can be really comforting too. Check out our Disaster Relief Playlist!
A word of warning, if your offline music or movie app realizes you’re in another country it may lock you out until you’re back home. That’s one reason to have a VPN.
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