Scalable Multimodal Approaches
Identifying Vulnerable Populations in
The Republic of the Congo
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Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques can generate unbiased geographical data and identify areas of extreme poverty, which policymakers can adopt to prioritize development aid allocations. This innovative method can help develop scalable algorithms to inform humanitarian responses to Africa's food crisis. In the Republic of the Congo (RoC), one out of two people live below poverty, and the pre-COVID level of food insecurity of 10% has surged to 30% during the pandemic. Thus far, governments have responded to this crisis by doubling social protection programs. However, the current targeting methods do not provide enough information on eligible communities and are too slow to mitigate transitory shocks. This issue highlights the need for a systemic, fine-grained, and rapid geographic targeting technique.
This current project aims to develop a multimodal approach that combines daytime satellite imagery, nighttime luminosity, and social media to estimate the wealth and livelihood of regions and shape aid distribution.
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FOOD INSECURITY IN CONGO PRE-COVID
FOOD INSECURITY IN CONGO DURING COVID
FOOD
SECURITY
90%
FOOD
INSECURITY
10%
FOOD
INSECURITY
30%
FOOD
SECURITY
70%
Research
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Dr. Jung's latest research project aims to develop a multimodal approach that combines daytime satellite imagery and social media to estimate the wealth and livelihood of regions and shape aid distribution.
PARTNERS ....................................................
Recipient of Microsoft
AI for Humanitarian Action Project Initiatives
$25,000 Azure Grant
PARTNERS ....................................................
Recipient of the Global Health Institute's Global Health Seed Grant
PARTNERS
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PARTNERS ....................................................
The research team established an MOU/ data sharing agreement with the Institut Geographique National (IGN) in the Republic of the Congo. The government agency is providing geospatial data on Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, including administrative boundaries, road network, and waterways.
UPDATE ....................................................
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Image by Annie Spratt
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Dr. Jung’s research is expected to have high global impact by offering enhanced data for key development actors to reach people and regions with extreme poverty. This project's outputs, such as high-resolution poverty maps, will be shared with the WFP and the Ministry of Social Affairs to scale up social protection programs. These maps can be updated as new data becomes available to decision-makers in near real time. This work could potentially address misinformation and current criticisms of AI that miss out on the bottom billion, thereby addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
RESEARCH TEAM .................................................................
The team consists of computer/data scientists
and social scientists:
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Woojin Jung (PI) - Rutgers, School of Social Work
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Jordan Steiner - Rutgers, School of Social Work
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Alisha Cupid - Rutgers, School of Social Work
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Melanie Yu - Rutgers, School of Social Work
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Amanda Starcev - Rutgers, School of Social Work
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Charles Chear - Rutgers, School of Social Work
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Eunice Park - Rutgers, School of Social Work
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Taylor Galvin - Rutgers, School of Social Work
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Jacqueline Ponzio - Rutgers, School of Social Work
RESEARCH TEAM .................................................................
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Matthew Purri - Rutgers, School of Engineering
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FangZheng Wu - Rutgers, School of Art & Sciences
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Javier Velasquez - Rutgers, School of Communication & Info.
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Luan Tran - Rutgers, School of Engineering
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Lily Lin - Microsoft
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Koubouana Felix - Marien Ngouabi University
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Open Position - Computer Science RA
3 STAGES ..........................................................
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Assess the current machine learning model
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Develop new algorithms with a wider application
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Share this new field-tested and evaluated approach with policymakers
Research Duration
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July 2021 - June 2022
The study is slated to conclude in June 2022 with the dissemination of findings to policymakers.
The research team represents diversity across disciplines, countries/continents (Africa, Asia, US), languages, and cultures. Our study can contribute to broadening the reach of social protection programs by identifying vulnerable and poor populations in the Republic of the Congo and other countries where there is very limited, georeferenced wealth data.
