Reflecting upon the humanitarian use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones)

Nine years after the earthquake in Haiti and the appearance of the concept of “humanitarian drones”, it remains a poorly discussed yet highly controversial issue. Emergency mapping and light cargo deliveries to inaccessible areas are only some of the most popular ways in which drones are currently...

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Main Authors: Evanthia Tatsidou, Costas Tsiamis, Evika Karamagioli, Georgios Boudouris, Andreas Pikoulis, Eleni Kakalou, Emmanuel Pikoulis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW) 2019-04-01
Series:Swiss Medical Weekly
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/2600
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author Evanthia Tatsidou
Costas Tsiamis
Evika Karamagioli
Georgios Boudouris
Andreas Pikoulis
Eleni Kakalou
Emmanuel Pikoulis
author_facet Evanthia Tatsidou
Costas Tsiamis
Evika Karamagioli
Georgios Boudouris
Andreas Pikoulis
Eleni Kakalou
Emmanuel Pikoulis
author_sort Evanthia Tatsidou
collection DOAJ
description Nine years after the earthquake in Haiti and the appearance of the concept of “humanitarian drones”, it remains a poorly discussed yet highly controversial issue. Emergency mapping and light cargo deliveries to inaccessible areas are only some of the most popular ways in which drones are currently used for post-disaster relief and health crisis management by first responders around the world. On the other hand, every single successful use for drones is always followed by controversy about the problems caused by that very same, initially successful, use. However, examples of good practices will contribute to the investigation, study and analysis of the ways in which new, cutting-edge technologies such as drones can be implemented and adapted to meet the needs and requirements of humanitarian organisations and local communities affected by disasters. The issue is how and under what circumstances drone use can potentially fulfil humanitarian functions, particularly in the aftermath of a disaster, and how this type of technology could be deployed in non-violent, ethically desirable ways as part of the humanitarian response. In conclusion, it is questionable whether the benefits of using drones outnumber the moral obstacles they raise, and whether they will eventually be considered an inseparable part of humanitarian aid as well as a cutting-edge technological toy.
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spelling doaj.art-97c5a8e3da574c4a8d5983b30f7480e22022-12-22T04:42:25ZengSMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW)Swiss Medical Weekly1424-39972019-04-01149131410.4414/smw.2019.20065Reflecting upon the humanitarian use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones)Evanthia Tatsidou0Costas Tsiamis1Evika Karamagioli2Georgios Boudouris3Andreas Pikoulis4Eleni Kakalou5Emmanuel Pikoulis6Programme of Postgraduate Education (MSc) “International Medicine – Health Crisis Management”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GreeceProgramme of Postgraduate Education (MSc) “International Medicine – Health Crisis Management”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece; Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GreeceProgramme of Postgraduate Education (MSc) “International Medicine – Health Crisis Management”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece4th Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokrateion Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece4th Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokrateion Hospital, Thessaloniki, GreeceProgramme of Postgraduate Education (MSc) “International Medicine – Health Crisis Management”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GreeceProgramme of Postgraduate Education (MSc) “International Medicine – Health Crisis Management”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece; 1st Surgical Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece Nine years after the earthquake in Haiti and the appearance of the concept of “humanitarian drones”, it remains a poorly discussed yet highly controversial issue. Emergency mapping and light cargo deliveries to inaccessible areas are only some of the most popular ways in which drones are currently used for post-disaster relief and health crisis management by first responders around the world. On the other hand, every single successful use for drones is always followed by controversy about the problems caused by that very same, initially successful, use. However, examples of good practices will contribute to the investigation, study and analysis of the ways in which new, cutting-edge technologies such as drones can be implemented and adapted to meet the needs and requirements of humanitarian organisations and local communities affected by disasters. The issue is how and under what circumstances drone use can potentially fulfil humanitarian functions, particularly in the aftermath of a disaster, and how this type of technology could be deployed in non-violent, ethically desirable ways as part of the humanitarian response. In conclusion, it is questionable whether the benefits of using drones outnumber the moral obstacles they raise, and whether they will eventually be considered an inseparable part of humanitarian aid as well as a cutting-edge technological toy. https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/2600droneshealth crisis managementhumanitarian response
spellingShingle Evanthia Tatsidou
Costas Tsiamis
Evika Karamagioli
Georgios Boudouris
Andreas Pikoulis
Eleni Kakalou
Emmanuel Pikoulis
Reflecting upon the humanitarian use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones)
Swiss Medical Weekly
drones
health crisis management
humanitarian response
title Reflecting upon the humanitarian use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones)
title_full Reflecting upon the humanitarian use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones)
title_fullStr Reflecting upon the humanitarian use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones)
title_full_unstemmed Reflecting upon the humanitarian use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones)
title_short Reflecting upon the humanitarian use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones)
title_sort reflecting upon the humanitarian use of unmanned aerial vehicles drones
topic drones
health crisis management
humanitarian response
url https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/2600
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