It turns out online media has far greater potential than sharing what you had for breakfast this morning. The LRA Crisis Tracker connects LRA activity in remote villages with the wider public, and it’s saving lives.

The LRA attacks some of the most remote regions in the world, where there is little infrastructure and virtually no communication systems. Before networks were established, communities had no way to warn each other or call for help when an attack took place. Data was also sparse for humanitarians involved in the conflict. For example, in December 2009, the LRA killed 321 civilians in a remote area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. With no ability to communicate outside their community, their story didn’t surface until three months later, when a researcher from Human Rights Watch happened upon the community on her motor bike and brought the incident to light. Motivated by news of the Makombo Massacre, Invisible Children and The Resolve partnered to create the LRA Crisis Tracker.

Fast-forward to now, where the vast majority of sightings, defections and attacks are recorded on a detailed site and user-friendly app. The LRA Crisis Tracker realizes Invisible Children’s belief that injustice, no matter where it happens, deserves the attention of the world. We’ve developed a thorough process for news to go from a local community to any supporter with a WiFi connection.