Globe Telecom Becomes First Telco to Join UN-Led DISHA Coalition, Pioneers AI-Powered Disaster Response in the Philippines

Globe Telecom has become the first telecommunications company to join the UN-led Data Insights for Social and Humanitarian Action (DISHA) initiative.

From the cataclysmic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 to the devastation of Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, the Philippines bears the scars of extreme weather and geophysical disasters.

This groundbreaking partnership signifies a powerful shift toward data-driven, AI-enabled humanitarian action in the Philippines—a country that has topped the World Risk Index for 16 consecutive years.

The landmark pro bono collaboration places Globe at the heart of a multi-sectoral effort that leverages digital technology and artificial intelligence to transform how disaster response is coordinated in high-risk regions.

The DISHA coalition, spearheaded by UN Global Pulse, is designed to harness the power of real-time telecommunications data to support timely, targeted aid delivery in times of crisis.

A Nation on the Frontlines of Climate and Geophysical Risk

The Philippines is situated at a geographic crossroads of risk. Nestled in the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Northwestern Pacific Basin—the world’s most active tropical cyclone zone—it faces an average of 20 typhoons annually, regular seismic activity, and the looming presence of 24 active volcanoes.

From the cataclysmic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 to the devastation of Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, the nation bears the scars of extreme weather and geophysical disasters.

And climate change is only compounding the danger. Rising sea levels, intensifying typhoons, and increasing droughts are expected to strain already vulnerable communities, with over 74% of the population at risk from floods, cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides.

“In light of the Philippines' vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, Globe is honored to be the first telecommunications company to join the DISHA coalition,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer at Globe. “This multi-sectoral partnership underscores our commitment to sustainability by leveraging digital technology to enable solutions and inspire collective action.”

A Data-For-Good Blueprint for the Future

Through DISHA, Globe will help deploy the Socio-Economic Mapping solution—an innovative analytics platform developed in collaboration with McKinsey & Company and its AI division, QuantumBlack.

This platform introduces two key technologies that offer new ways to understand and respond to disasters in real time.

One is the Population Movement Heatmap, which uses anonymized telecommunications data to detect unexpected shifts in population during and after a disaster.

This capability enables aid agencies to quickly identify where displaced communities have moved, ensuring faster deployment of relief. The other is Poverty Nowcasting, a machine learning model trained on government census data, telecom trends, and other anonymized signals.

It provides a regularly updated snapshot of poverty levels in affected regions, allowing responders to prioritize areas where help is needed most.

“Connectivity is essential in those first critical hours after a disaster,” noted Jenny Echevarria, Globe’s Vice President for Enterprise Data and Strategic Services. “DISHA’s Socio-Economic Mapping solution allows us to proactively prioritize service availability in shelter areas to enable recovery.”

Traditional disaster response mechanisms often rely on manual assessments and delayed information-gathering, which can significantly slow the delivery of aid.

By integrating DISHA’s AI-powered tools with Globe’s telecommunications infrastructure, disaster responders are equipped with a clearer, faster, and more responsive operational view—one that could very well save lives when every second counts.

Cross-Sector Collaboration and Global Validation

The initiative is already gaining momentum. Catholic Relief Services, the Philippine Red Cross, and Oxfam have all contributed feedback to enhance the platform’s usability and impact.

The beta program in the Philippines is expanding, with humanitarian groups encouraged to join the ongoing testing and validation efforts.

“We're excited to welcome Globe Telecom to the DISHA Partner community,” said Katya Klinova, Head of AI for Humanitarian and Development Use at UN Global Pulse. “When used responsibly, trends derived from telecommunications data can meaningfully augment operational analytics available to first responders. We thank Globe for investing in making this a reality.”

Globe’s involvement also underscores the growing alignment between private sector innovation and global development goals.

The 2024 GSMA SDG Impact Report praised DISHA’s approach and Globe’s leadership, particularly in advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Goal 13 (Climate Action).

A Model for Climate Resilience in the Digital Age

This partnership sets a precedent for how telecom companies can move beyond connectivity and into the realm of civic responsibility and humanitarian innovation. It’s also a timely reminder of the private sector’s capacity to deliver public value when profit is not the sole driver.

In a world increasingly defined by climate volatility, data is more than just a digital commodity—it’s a lifeline. Through its collaboration with DISHA, Globe Telecom is not just connecting people; it’s helping protect them.