What’s the best way to reach someone in an emergency? Try WhatsApp. With the rapid outbreak of Ebola threatening lives, the BBC has launched an account on the messaging app to update West Africans with the latest news on the deadly disease.

The Samaritans is a Kenyan-produced mockumentary that satirises Western NGOs and their misguided attempts to provide foreign aid in African countries. But if conventional approaches don't work, could greater contextual awareness be the answer?

As fears of financial meltdown in 2012 take hold, there is a palpable sense of unease spreading across many sections of society. From the boardroom to the back garden, more people are embracing the importance of being prepared for the worst.

Researchers have created prototype software that can give early warnings of disease or violence outbreaks by spotting clues in news reports. When completed, the software could potentially save lives by alerting aid organisations ahead of time.