Overview

In the aftermath of an emergency, the country's Red Cross or Red Crescent National Society jumps into action to scale up a response that meets the immediate needs of the people affected by the event. When the operational needs exceed the capacity of the National Society, a multilateral response scales up with support from the IFRC to mobilize financial, logistical, and human resources from around the world.

In order to effectively ramp up and maintain these multilateral operations, decision makers need a clear understanding of the emergency’s impact and the needs of the affected population, and access to systems and tools to collect and manage data about the operation’s response. That’s where the Surge Information Management Support (SIMS) network comes in. As an IFRC Global Tool, SIMS offers a wide variety of technical support through remote volunteers located across the globe.

Emergency
Status
Glide No.
Ukraine and Impacted Countries Crisis Closed OT-2022-000157-UKR
Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda Volcanic Eruption Closed VO-2021-000059-COD
Pakistan Monsoon Floods Closed FL-2022-000270-PAK
Iraq Cholera Outbreak Closed OT-2022-000241-IRQ
Philippines Typhoon Haiyan Closed TC-2013-000139-PHL
Tanzania Cholera Outbreak Closed EP-2015-000058-TZA
Democratic Republic of Congo Hunger Crisis Closed
Democratic Republic of Congo Population Movement Closed
Europe Population Movement Closed
Ethiopia Drought Closed DR-2015-000109-ETH
West Africa Ebola Outbreak Closed EP-2014-000039-LBR
Solomon Islands Floods Closed FL-2014-000045-SLB
Bosnia and Herzegovina Floods Closed FF-2014-000059-BIH
Iraq Population Movement Closed OT-2014-000074-IRQ
Cameroon Cholera Outbreak Closed EP-2014-000121-CMR
Nigeria Floods Closed FL-2012-000138-NGA
Sierra Leone Cholera Outbreak Closed
Malawi Floods Closed FL-2015-000006-MWI
Micronesia Typhoon Maysak Closed TC-2015-000028-FSM
Vanuatu Cyclone Pam Closed TC-2015-000020-VUT
Nepal Earthquake Closed EQ-2015-000048-NPL
Burundi Population Movement Closed OT-2012-000193-TZA
Bangladesh Floods Closed FL-2017-000108-BGD
Sierra Leone Floods and Mudslides Closed MS-2017-000109-SLE
Hurricane Irma Closed TC-2017-000125-DOM
Uganda Population Movement Closed OT-2018-000021-UGA
Somalia Cholera Outbreak Closed EP-2017-000036-SOM
Nigeria Complex Emergency Closed
Democratic Republic of Congo Ebola Outbreak Closed EP-2018-000049-COD
Bangladesh Population Movement Closed OT-2017-000003-BGD
Brazil Floods Closed FL-2024-000063-BRA
Dominica Hurricane Maria Closed TC-2017-000136-DMA
Madagascar Plague Outbreak Closed EP-2017-000144- MDG
Zika Virus Outbreak Closed
Angola Yellow Fever Outbreak Closed EP-2016-000013-AGO
Ecuador Earthquake Closed EQ-2016-000035-ECU
Iraq Population Movement Closed OT-2016-000069-IRQ
Philippines Typhoon Haima Closed TC-2016-000110-PHL
Nigeria Floods Closed FL-2018-000120-NGA
Indonesia Earthquakes and Tsunamis Closed EQ-2018-000122-IDN
Madagascar Cyclone Enawo Closed TC-2017-00023-MDG
Venezuela Health Emergency Closed
Libya Storm Daniel Closed FL-2023-000168-LBY
Mozambique Tropical Cyclone Idai Closed TC-2019-000021-MOZ
Bahamas Hurricane Dorian Closed TC-2019-000099-BHS
Albania Earthquake Closed EQ-2019-000157-ALB
Philippines Typhoon Phanfone Closed TC-2019-000176-PHL
Global COVID-19 Pandemic Closed EP-2020-000012-CHN
Americas Population Movement Closed
West Africa Ebola Outbreak Closed EP-2021-000016-GIN
Central America Hurricanes Eta and Iota Closed TC-2020-000222-GTM
Haiti Earthquake (2021) Closed EQ-2021-000116-HTI
Philippines Typhoon Rai Closed TC-2021-000202-PHL
Madagascar Tropical Cyclone Batsirai Closed ST-2022-000138-MDG
Sudan Floods Closed FL-2020-000176-SDN
Tigray Population Movement Closed CE-2020-000229-ETH
Türkiye Earthquake Closed EQ-2023-000015-TUR
Nepal Karnali Earthquake Closed EQ-2023-000214-NPL
Hurricane Beryl Active TC-2024-000105-VCT
Morocco Earthquake Closed EQ-2023-000166-MAR
Ukraine Complex Emergency Closed
Sudan Complex Emergency Closed CE-2023-000066-SDN

Profiles

SIMS members have a diverse range of technical skills. We generally organize remote supporters by the following specific profiles. Click on a card to learn more about the role and relevant competencies.

Process

After SIMS is activated, a SIMS Remote Coordinator is assigned to liaise directly with the field and translate their needs into discrete tasks which are then assigned to remote supporters. Services can be delivered for several months after an activation begins, then SIMS supports the transition of its functions to longer-term delegate roles.

Thanks to the global distribution of the staff and volunteers that support SIMS, products and services can be developed around the clock and meet deadlines that keep up with fast paced operations. SIMS members have a diverse and highly-relevant set of skills. We are constantly developing new ones to stay up-to-date on the latest technology.

Learning from our collective experience is a fundamental part of how SIMS operates. As an activation wraps up, we follow a rigorous knowledge management process that includes evaluating the products and services delivered to identify best practices to enhance future operations. We frequently draft public stories about the response in order to share knowledge with the broader humanitarian sector.

62 Activations

SIMS has been activated 62 times since its inception in 2013, most recently in response to the Hurricane Beryl.

79 Members

There are 79 active members of the SIMS network ready to provide support across a variety of technical areas.

Activation Process

Disaster Strikes

A sudden onset disaster occurs or a slow onset disaster reaches a certain threshold.

Request for SIMS

Request for SIMS activation sent to IFRC Surge Desk.

SIMS Activated

The Surge Desk contacts the SIMS focal point and the network's members are alerted.

Coordinator Assigned

SIMS assigns a remote coordinator as the focal point that manages tasks and assigns to other remote members.

Services Delivered

The operation is supported with the production of tools and products for up to three months.

Phase Out

IM support transitions to medium- or long-term delegate roles, remote support continues through separate funding, or surge support phases out completely.