Aerial image of a village in the arid lands of northern Kenya

Drought Induced Migration

Leveraging AI to support communities that experience drought-induced migration in arid and semi-arid lands in Kenya

This research will investigate the dynamic relationship between drought-induced migration patterns and environmental factors in arid regions of Kenya, leveraging a novel integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and geographic information systems (GIS) techniques. Drawing on a comprehensive dataset encompassing historical drought occurrences, community demographics, land use, and topographic features, spatial analysis will be conducted using GIS tools to identify spatial patterns and correlations. There are two sub-topics within this namely:

  1. Exploring the spatiotemporal dynamics of community migration in drought-prone regions of Kenya

This research investigates the dynamic relationship between drought-induced migration patterns and environmental factors in arid regions of Kenya, leveraging a novel integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and geographic information systems (GIS) techniques. Drawing on a comprehensive dataset encompassing historical drought occurrences, community demographics, land use, and topographic features, spatial analysis is conducted using GIS tools to identify spatial patterns and correlations. Machine learning models are developed and trained on the integrated dataset to predict community migration patterns in response to drought events.

2. Optimal Determination of Humanitarian Service Points using Generative AI

A Humanitarian Service Point (HSP) serves as an impartial haven situated on migration paths. It offers a hospitable and secure setting where migrants can obtain crucial services that may be otherwise unattainable. The points are designed to offer multiple services to vulnerable individuals including rest areas, meals, showers, family link restoration, basic health services, and referrals for specialized assistance. This research delves into the intersection of Generative AI and humanitarian service points, aiming to provide insights and strategies for integrating these innovative tools within humanitarian organizations. By leveraging Generative AI, humanitarians can enhance their workflows, improve decision-making, and contribute to more effective service delivery.

Partners: Kenya Red Cross (opens in new tab)