It’s been a while since we checked in with our users so I wanted to let you know what ReliefWeb has been up to in the past four months. We are pleased to report that user numbers are still rising. From the first quarter of last year to the same period in 2021, the number of users increased by almost 30 percent, to just over five million. In that same period, mobile use increased by almost 39 percent to 2.7 million.
In terms of user base, the Philippines was still top, with 651,130 users in the first quarter of this year, followed by the US with 598,194 and South Africa (a first in the top 10, knocking out Australia) with 358,530. The UK, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Canada and Colombia came fourth to 10th respectively.
In other news, even in the midst of the pandemic we have come up with some new Topics pages - an elegant way of showcasing a particular speciality or organisation on ReliefWeb. For example, the page dedicated to Humanitarian Leadership, features a "Leadership Stories" project, which is based on interviews conducted in late 2020 and early 2021 with UN Humanitarian Coordinators in different countries. As well as profiles of individual HCs, Leadership Stories includes thematic videos based around key issues that all humanitarian leaders face in the field.
Another addition to the Topics genre highlights the Data Responsibility Working Group (DRWG), which is working to advance data responsibility across the humanitarian system. It brings together United Nations entities, international organisations, NGOs, and other stakeholders engaged in the coordination and implementation of humanitarian action.
And to underline the importance of localization, we have created a page that includes guidance, policies, good practices, case studies, and information on localization initiatives and projects with a focus on relevant national and local actors in leadership and coordination structures.
Last but not least, we have created a dedicated page with the UN Foundation to enable our fans to donate to the humanitarian cause as we mark our 25th anniversary later this year.
As always, your feedback is very welcome at feedback@reliefweb.int