Philosophy of Transformation
Who we are: A social network for organizing community care.
What we want: Empower local networks and capacities with our mobile app.
How we achieve our goal: This platform is powered by local knowledge and sustained through activist networks.
The problem
Despite increasing calls for localization and social justice, many authoritative actors continue to “manage” humanitarian action instead of promoting democratic “governance” of sustainable transitions.
This is why the networks and resources of social and green grassroots organizations tend to be overlooked in disaster risk reduction strategies.
The solution
For social justice and sustainability, we must consider different truths and knowledge systems of local actors in disaster risk governance (DRG). Participatory DRG allows members of communities to decide, for themselves, which knowledge they incorporate into their practices.
Homa Reto takes an anti-colonial stance to overcome knowledge inequality and marginalization. We pursue an actor-based approach and promote community ownership of DRG. We want more than self-help, we want to address the importance of control and power to decide. In this public sphere, people can strengthen their local networks and transform the development discourse.
Note: Communities are often understood to share the same interests and values. However, there is a multitude of fluid identities, and collective identities are much more nuanced than frequently depicted. Underlying assumptions of helplessness can preserve a status quo of collective oppression. Accepting such assumptions without reflection can be a dangerous practice, particularly in the development discourse, when life and death are determined based on those understandings. We encourage our users to engage with the different identities and experiences one community can entail.
Find out more on our ArcGIS StoryMap:
Inclusivity and Social Justice
Inclusivity is the basis of Homa Reto’s philosophy. Therefore, it lies at our mission’s core to transform systems of marginalization and use data-driven innovations to combat gendered and racialized violence in the global disaster risk governance regime. We want to work with you to better understand how we can create a safer and more equitable future for all women, and children, black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), individuals of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as people with disabilities. Do not hesitate to reach out through our contact form in case you have any comments or suggestions on how we can improve on our efforts.
More resources coming soon…
Data Privacy and Protection
In recent years, data has become an increasingly critical part of humanitarian and development work. With the large volumes of information processed by organizations, more complex challenges and risks are arising. To protect already vulnerable populations and minimize exposure to harm or exploitation, Homa Reto puts responsible data processing at the core of its mission.
Data responsibility goes beyond the concepts of “data privacy” and “data protection”. It entails a set of principles, processes and tools that support the safe, ethical and effective management of data in humanitarian response.
OCHA (2019). Data responsibility Guidelines.
Homa Reto works continuously on ensuring the highest security and data privacy standards for its users. Naturally, the app adheres to all legal regulations of the respective countries it is published in. Homa Reto’s regulations are based on the EU’s legal framework of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In addition, the Red Cross’s “Handbook on Data Protection in Humanitarian Action” (2020) provides valuable guidance for Homa Reto’s conduct.
