MapAction knows that providing geospatial expertise to humanitarian situations can greatly improve outcomes for the people affected.

Over 20 years, in 140+ humanitarian emergencies in 80 countries as well as many hundreds of disaster preparedness events, MapAction has provided disaster response agencies with the mapping, geospatial and data capabilities necessary to make the vital decisions to support vast numbers of people.

What we do

We are a non-profit organisation collaborating with partners around the world to prepare for and respond to humanitarian emergencies. We strive to ensure global, regional, national and local disaster management and humanitarian agencies have access to the maps, visualised data, information and analysis that they need to make key decisions, at the right times, to save lives and reduce suffering. 

People already vulnerable to humanitarian crises face the greatest threats from a changing climate, which compounds existing challenges. MapAction works to ensure that they, and the agencies and governments who support them, have access in critical moments, to the information and analysis that they need.

In a humanitarian crisis response coordinators need to quickly understand who is most affected, where they are, what those people need, how to provide it and much more besides. The picture changes by the hour, and the faster and more effectively the incoming data can be mapped and visualised, to get a clearer understanding of the transformed landscape, the more efficient and targeted the response can be. 

READ ALSO: How maps can save lives when disasters strike

MapAction does this by providing response partners with geospatial, mapping and data expertise and skills. A team of 20 staff and circa 80 expert volunteers, provide both skills and capacity development and direct crisis support to partners.

READ MORE: A volunteer-driven disaster relief model

Many professionals want to donate their energy and skills to help. MapAction is the bridge which enables them to do so effectively. 

SEE ALSO: Our global map of past emergency responses

Our response team

Our full team consists of up to 80 geospatial and data experts, working in some of the world’s leading organisations, and released to support MapAction’s work. Combining the passion of volunteerism with the rigour and reliability of professional standards, the ‘MapAction spirit’ is famous in the humanitarian response sector. 

Innovation

MapAction has been innovating since it first introduced digital situation maps to humanitarian emergency response. Driven by the breadth of professional experience and expertise of our volunteers, drwan from across myriad employment sectors, MapAction brings together data scientists, software developers, geospatial experts and data engineers to work all-year-round on new and exciting solutions to strengthen global disaster preparedness, response and resilience.

Every year we bring together our team and partners to strengthen our disaster preparedness in a simulation event.

READ ALSO: How a Scottish Isle became training ground for disaster response

The work we do in emergency response feeds into our longer-term goals to support disaster preparedness, including anticipatory action. 

Why MapAction?

We freely share the knowledge we have acquired by teaching and training humanitarian coordinators to use maps and other geospatial products to help them make better decisions. We also help put in place the systems, resources and data required to build resilience to disasters and protect vulnerable communities. 

Our funding

We are currently funded by grants from the governments of Germany, USA and Switzerland, and by a range of foundations, individuals and businesses, large and small. Together we are making a difference. We welcome you to express your own kindness and insight, and join us.