The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies acts before, during, and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. The IFRC partnered with Relief Applications to conduct a comparative review between various rapid deployment systems used in the IFRC, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, National Societies, and other humanitarian organizations, considering the future humanitarian environment and resulting needs.

The review comprised an analysis of the International Federation’s existing emergency deployment systems, interviews with KI, and a web survey among emergency responders. After analyzing the existing wave development system, the review identified the need for a new, more comprehensive system. The study then provided a comparative analysis of alternative systems that could be implemented within the International Federation and its partners in terms of suitability, feasibility, implementation, maintainability, installation costs, operating costs, and risks. Recommendations were established on the most appropriate system to assist the IFRC in the transition to its new rapid deployment system.