Juba, South Sudan (Tuesday 3 December) — Relief International today announced it has been selected as a winner of the 2024 Amazon Web Services (AWS) IMAGINE Grant, a public grant opportunity open to registered 501(c) nonprofit organizations in the United States and registered charities in the United Kingdom and Ireland who are using technology to solve the world’s most pressing challenges.  

The grant will support Relief International’s efforts to accelerate the work of staff in South Sudan who are saving lives and promoting long-term health. Following a successful pilot in South Sudan, Relief International hopes to scale and replicate the project it developed to digitize health records and use generative technology to enhance disease monitoring and treatment protocols and tackle antibiotic resistance. This technology will be implemented by Weavery AI, across additional countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. 

Now in its seventh year, the AWS IMAGINE Grant provides vital resources to nonprofit organizations looking to deploy cloud technology as a central tool to achieve mission goals. As part of the program, AWS seeks proposals for big ideas on how to leverage cloud technology in new and innovative ways to accelerate impact in local and global communities. 

Relief International was named a winner in the Go Further, Faster category which recognizes highly innovative projects using advanced cloud services. Relief International will receive $125,000 in unrestricted funding, $15,000 in AWS Promotional Credits, and engagement with AWS technical specialists. Proposals were judged on several factors including the innovative and unique nature of the project, impact on mission-critical goals, and clearly defined outcomes and milestones. 

As a result of ongoing ethnic violence, conflict, natural hazards and chronic instability, approximately 9 million people – 73% of South Sudan’s population – are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.  The situation is becoming increasingly challenging as families continue to cross the border into the country, fleeing violent conflict in neighboring Sudan and Ethiopia. South Sudan’s health system is severely strained; malaria, diarrhea, and acute respiratory illnesses are the primary causes of death, and the country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.  

Local Relief International staff are working around the clock in South Sudan, providing lifesaving health and nutrition support. In refugee camps in the country’s Upper Nile State for instance, 97% of births are attended by Relief International health staff, compared to the national average of just 40%.  

The collaboration with AWS will bolster Relief International’s operations even further. A: secure WhatsApp integration will digitize handwritten health records, enabling staff to quickly capture, evaluate, and act on critical data, whilst ensuring all personal information is kept confidential. At a broader level, the technology will enhance disease monitoring and treatment protocols for refugee and displaced communities, driving faster, data-driven healthcare decisions.  

Melanie Kempster, Global Health and Nutrition Director at Relief International says:  

“We are thrilled to receive the AWS IMAGINE Grant. Not only will this collaboration allow Relief International teams to prioritize their most critical work of treating patients and promoting good health,  but it could also revolutionize how we collect and analyze data. What’s more, alongside improving community understanding about correct treatment, the tool will support Relief International’s work tackling antibiotic resistance – a huge global health risk.” 

“At AWS, we’re inspired by the nonprofit sector’s unwavering commitment to preserving the dignity and health of people and our planet,” said Allyson Fryhoff, managing director of nonprofit and nonprofit health at AWS.  

“Our Imagine Grant winners are pioneering groundbreaking, technology-driven approaches that will amplify their mission impact and build a more equitable and compassionate world. We are thrilled to work alongside these organizations, helping them leverage the transformative capabilities of the AWS Cloud to bring these projects to life.” 

Since the launch of the IMAGINE Grant program in 2018, AWS has awarded over $14M in unrestricted funds, AWS Promotional Credits, and expert technical guidance to over 130 nonprofit organizations in support of their technology-driven goals. Previous winners are currently using AWS services to tackle critical challenges such as eliminating barriers to food security, improving maternal health outcomes, helping millions access clean and safe drinking water globally, tackling rare disease research, and more. 

Over 85,000 nonprofit organizations worldwide use AWS to increase their impact and advance mission goals. Through multiple programs tailored specifically to the nonprofit community, AWS enables nonprofits of all sizes to overcome barriers to technology adoption, while enhancing the scale, performance, and capabilities of mission operations.  

For more information on the AWS IMAGINE Grant, visit aws.amazon.com/IMAGINE-grant 

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About Relief International  

Relief International is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and wellbeing. Our team of more than 5,000 staff and local volunteers work in 16 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, providing Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education and Livelihoods programming that creates the foundation for community resilience. We do this by working with local actors to develop safe and inclusive local programming that is evidence based, conflict sensitive, climate smart, and reaches those in need.