Cyclone Donna strikes northern Vanuatu

Updated, 6 May 2017 – Islands in the north of the Vanuatu chain have taken the brunt of the impact of Tropical Cyclone Donna, with high winds and flooding reported. There are particular concerns for communities in Torba province, where response teams are currently undertaking needs assessments. However the path of the storm looks unlikely to track southwards through the island chain as originally feared.

At time of writing the Government of Vanuatu has not requested international assistance. We continue to liaise with partners in-country and have produced a series of reference maps to support the response. Our team remains ready to deploy as required.

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4 May 2017 – MapAction continues to monitor Tropical Cyclone Donna in the South Pacific. The storm currently poses a serious threat to Vanuatu and is forecast to make landfall on the northern islands on Friday 5 May, before tracking south through the island chain. The storm has increased in intensity as it tracks toward the island. There are concerns that the storm could reach a Category 4 storm, potentially causing extensive damage and disruption to infrastructure.

Vanuatu has been affected by several storms in recent years, including Cyclones Pam and Winston which caused significant damage. Last month Tropical Storm Cook brought widespread flooding to areas of the country, forcing people to evacuate their homes.

Maps and data will be posted in the Vanuatu maps and data repository.

For map requests or support please contact emumford@mapaction.org

Devastating floods strike Peru

People rescued from floods in Peru, AP/Martin Mejia

Intense rains have caused widespread floods and landslides in Peru, reportedly affecting more than half the country. People trapped by floodwater have been airlifted to safety, but sadly 72 people have been confirmed dead (as of 18 March).

The floods have inundated key infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, and left some communities isolated. Concerns have been raised that stagnant water could present health risks, including the spread of Dengue fever.

The unusually high amounts of rainfall are thought to be caused by a warming of the surface waters in the Pacific Ocean, the El Niño phenomenon.  It is predicted that further rains will continue in the coming fortnight.

MapAction has deployed a team to Lima to support the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team in creating an overview of affected areas and priority needs.

All maps and data produced for this emergency will be published in the maps and data page for Peru.

Cyclone Enawo slams Madagascar

Photo: Rivonala Razafison

Madagascar has been hit by a major cyclone which is reported to have already claimed at least five lives. It is thought to be the strongest cyclone in thirteen years with wind speeds of up to 185 mph (source: UNOCHA).

Cyclone Enawo made landfall over Antalaha district on 7 March and has continued its path across the country. The storm has caused widespread damage across north-eastern and central-eastern areas of the country, resulting in flooding, wind damage and landslides. The Malagasy Red Cross estimates that approximately 720,000 people will be directly or indirectly affected.

At the request of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team, MapAction has deployed a team of two volunteers to the capital, Antananarivo, to help coordinate the response. A team previously deployed to Madagascar in response to floods caused by Tropical Storm Irina in 2012.

All maps and data that are produced in the field will be published in the maps and data page for Madagascar.

Wildfires take devastating toll in Chile

Firefighters tackle blaze in Chile (c) Bomba Americana Valparaíso

Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes due to extensive wildfires across Chile. Drone images show entire neighbourhoods have been destroyed and hundreds of thousands of hectares of land have been devastated. Sadly it is thought that the fires have claimed the lives of some inhabitants and firefighters.

The fires have escalated in recent days due to unusually dry, windy conditions. Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet said, as she visited the hard-hit Maule region, “We have never seen something of this size, never in Chile’s history. And the truth is the [firefighting] forces are doing everything that is humanly possible and will continue to do so until the fires are contained and controlled.”

MapAction has sent a team of two volunteers at the request of the Chilean government. They will initially be working from Santiago to support the United Nations’ Disaster Assessment and Coordination team in understanding the extent of the disaster and risks to populations.

You can view video footage of the impact of the fires here.

Maps from the field team will posted in the maps and data repository – Chile Wildfires, January 2017

Alexander Armstrong presents MapAction’s Radio 4 Appeal

MapAction is delighted to have been granted a Radio 4 Appeal on Christmas Day which will be presented by comedian, actor, singer and television presenter, Alexander Armstrong.

Below you can see a preview of Alexander talking about his motivations for supporting MapAction and his family link to our work in the Ebola crisis of 2014.

The appeal itself will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 (FM 92.4-94.6, LW 198) at 07:54 in the morning and repeated at 18:56 that evening. It will be available on the BBC Radio 4 website from Christmas Day onwards, and there will a final broadcast of the appeal on Radio 4 at 15:27 on Thursday 29 December.

Through MapAction I have learnt how much more there is contained within a map and how absolutely vital they are in the face of humanitarian crises.

Alexander Armstrong

Please do tune in for our appeal on Christmas Day and donate generously. And tell your friends and family too!

Meet our first Ambassador

vladiresizedFarhad Vladi was our first supporter to join our Ambassador Programme. Here you can read about his relationship with us and what he hopes to achieve through his role as a MapAction Ambassador.

What was it about MapAction that first grabbed your attention?

Maps are a personal and professional passion of mine. After completing my studies, I set up a business which sells and rents private islands, and more recently I bought Germany’s largest geographical bookstore.  I’m something of a map freak!

So when I stumbled across a newspaper article about MapAction’s deployment to Sri Lanka, I knew at once that this was an organisation that I wanted to support. Reading about MapAction’s role in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean (“Boxing Day”) tsunami made me realise just how important maps can be. I immediately got in touch to offer my assistance. When I attended a MapAction training session, I was even more impressed at the professional and efficient way in which the organisation is run.

In what ways do you support MapAction’s work?

I could see that MapAction already had a great deal of technical expertise, so I knew the best way I could help was by underpinning its fundraising efforts. I wanted to make a personal donation, but also wanted to encourage others to support its work. So we set up a German branch of the organisation, which aims to raise awareness and secure additional financial support (with the tax-efficiency advantages of being registered in Germany).

Having a business with geospatial dimensions has also meant that I have networks to help in non-financial ways. For example, I helped to place an advertisement in a trade magazine, which resulted in the recruitment of two new German volunteers.

It has always been a pleasure to share my passion for MapAction and spread the word about its remarkable work. Many of my friends and business associates have become supporters, and as an Ambassador I am committed to giving long-term support.

What do you get out of being an Ambassador?

I find it fascinating and incredibly motivating to receive updates about the latest developments at MapAction. The small staff team are always innovating and learning, so there’s always something new to discover.

It’s also really exciting to feel part of MapAction’s small team. You really get to know people and receive a personalised service. I feel very confident that every penny I give gets to its intended destination.

What are your hopes for the future of MapAction?

I may have been MapAction’s first ambassador, but I very much hope many more will follow. I have already successfully introduced a second ambassador (a friend and business partner of mine). It would be very exciting to share ideas and experiences with more like-minded people, as I’m sure we will all have a lot to learn from each other. So I look forward to meeting more fellow ambassadors in the future.

Thank you to MapAction for all your hard work!

Prince Harry shines a light on MapAction’s work

MapAction has shared a video of Prince Harry, its Royal Patron, visiting its volunteers at Triplex, a major disaster simulation exercise, in Norway.

The video shows Prince Harry surprising aid workers from around the world who were taking part in the international field exercise in September. There he was able to see first-hand how MapAction gathers crucial data at the scene of emergencies and translates it into maps, providing a common operational picture from which to plan and prioritise the response.

To see highly-skilled individuals give up their time like this is remarkable. Considering how few people there are, it is unbelievable how much they can achieve. It’s the glue that binds everyone together. After being Patron for nearly ten years, I want more and more people to know what MapAction does.

Prince Harry

Prince Harry talks with MapAction volunteer, Rachel Alsop
Prince Harry talks with MapAction volunteer, Rachel Alsop

The footage has been released now to raise awareness of how MapAction’s team are on standby 24 hours a day, seven days a week – including over the festive period.

We are asking our supporters to join Prince Harry in spreading the word by sharing the video with their friends and family, and by donating if they can.

Millions affected by conflict in Nigeria

As the full extent of the humanitarian crisis affecting northern Nigeria becomes clear, MapAction is helping organisations respond.

It is predicted that more than 14 million people across five states will be in need in 2017 as a result of food shortages and limited access to health care. Over 1 million people are already facing extreme levels of food insecurity and there are growing concerns for the 1.2 million people cut off by fighting between Boko Haram and government troops. Thousands more have fled to government-controlled areas, with some are seeking to return in the hope that they can resume their disrupted lives.

The conflict has disrupted local communities’ ability to farm and trade, compounding an already dangerous situation. Many agencies are warning of devastating levels of acute malnutrition and a high risk of famine.

The situation in northern Nigeria is highly complex and changing. Agencies on the ground need information to target and coordinate their responses now and in the future. The MapAction team has provided vital information management products to humanitarian responders to help them with these important tasks and to prepare them to respond in 2017.

This is an emergency of a deeply concerning scale and the challenges for responders are great. Our volunteers have helped prepare key data to support coordination activity and visualisation of the situation on the ground. This has included training personnel from the United Nations and non-government agencies on how to create their own map products from this and other relevant data. Our training will enable these responders see the full extent of affected areas and pinpoint the most vulnerable people to assist – both now and in the future.

Liz Hughes, Chief Executive

Sources: United Nations

Responding to Hurricane Matthew in Haiti

MapAction has deployed a team to Haiti to support the response to Hurricane Matthew, the strongest storm to hit the Caribbean in almost a decade.

Hurricane Matthew struck the southwest coast of Haiti at 0700 local time on 4 October, bringing winds of up to 230km/h and torrential rain. It has since continued across to the northwest of the country. There are particular concerns for flooding and landslides, as well as the risk of cholera outbreaks.

This MapAction deployment follows a prepositioning mission to Jamaica in advance of the hurricane. In both countries our volunteers are working closely with United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination teams on the ground to access the most up-to-date, accurate data and help coordinate the response.

MapAction has past experience of working in Haiti, following the major earthquake in 2010 which claimed the lives of more than 220,000 people, and in 2008 for the impact of storms.

Prepositioning to Jamaica for Hurricane Matthew

A powerful hurricane is moving across the Caribbean with wind speeds thought to be strong enough to destroy buildings.

Two MapAction volunteers have travelled to Jamaica as a prepositioned humanitarian mapping team in advance of Hurricane Matthew which is due to make landfall by Monday. Tropical storm warnings have also been issued for Haiti and Cuba.

MapAction’s assistance was requested by the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team. The joint MapAction-UNDAC team has travelled in advance of the storm in order to be on the ground and ready to respond before the impact is felt.

From Jamaica MapAction’s volunteers are closely monitoring and plotting the path of Hurricane Matthew, helping responders understand the likely impact before and after the storm passes. Being at the scene means they have access to the most up-to-date situational data and can identify quickly which communities have been worst affected.

MapAction has experience of prepositioning teams for past emergencies, including Typhoon Haiyan which caused significant loss of life and extensive damage in the Philippines in November 2013. This prepositioning of MapAction’s specialist skills proved invaluable in the case of Typhoon Haiyan as airports were closed and in many cases damaged following the storm, causing significant challenges and delays in accessing affected areas.

Supporting the response to Tanzania earthquake

At the request of the United Nations, a MapAction volunteer has deployed to Tanzania to support the response to an earthquake which struck the border area between Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda on 10 September.

According to early information, at least 13 people have been reported dead and more than 200 hospitalised with injuries resulting from the quake. Assessments are still underway, however it is thought that hundreds of buildings have been destroyed and many more identified as damaged and unsafe.

It is anticipated that our volunteer will help compile analysis of priority needs from Bukoba town near the earthquake’s epicentre.

Responding to seismic activity in Cape Verde

MapAction has sent a volunteer mapping professional to Cape Verde to support the United Nations following seismic activity and the risk that this may stimulate a volcanic eruption.

Between 1-2 August abnormal seismic activity was recorded on the island of Brava, the most southern island of Cape Verde. Scientist and experts are monitoring the situation and have advised that the authorities should be prepared for a possible volcanic eruption. Contingency plans are being drawn up for an evacuation of the island’s 6,000 inhabitants if required.

The Government of Cape Verde has asked partners to be prepared to provide humanitarian and logistical support for affected communities. MapAction’s volunteer will be working in partnership with the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team to provide up-to-date situational analysis to support decision-making.

This is MapAction’s first deployment to Cape Verde, however our team provided remote mapping support for volcanic activity on the neighbouring island of Fogo in 2014.

 

Photo: Alexis Gouin

Humanitarian Mapping Course

Mapping skills and knowledge for Humanitarian and Development workers

From: Tuesday 1 November 2016

To: Thursday 3 November 2016

Where: MapAction, Wycombe Road, Saunderton, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4BF, United Kingdom

About the course

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and related tools are crucial tools in disaster preparedness and response in affected countries. However, humanitarian and development organisations need simple, low cost methods to collect and map information about needs and assistance programmes.

This three-day course has been developed by the international humanitarian NGO MapAction. It aims to give practical training on tools and methods proven in the field, and suitable for humanitarian or development practitioners who have little or no previous experience of GIS and without the use of expensive tools and software.

What will I learn?

On completing the course, delegates will have the knowledge needed to carry out spatial data collection, spatial analysis and basic mapping. They will also have an understanding of how to find the necessary free/open-source tools and software needed to set up a GIS project. Typical applications include:

  • Field-based navigation and needs assessment
  • Identifying areas in priority need of aid and gaps in delivery
  • Planning and monitoring programmes
  • Support to logistics
  • Identifying hazards and security risks 
  • Reporting, communication and advocacy

Outline syllabus

The course will cover the following topics:
  • Mapping and information management for humanitarian work
  • Creating base maps using open-source mapping and QGIS software and online data sources
  • Creating thematic maps showing humanitarian situations
  • Undertaking a field data collection survey
  • Sharing information through a web map

The principal instructors will be GIS practitioners with MapAction field experience in humanitarian emergencies. All course materials and software will be provided. Computers and GPS units can be loaned if needed but you are encouraged to bring your own laptops on which open-source software can be installed. During the course you will be able to search for data and setup a project around your area of interest so making it easier to apply what you have learned directly to your work.

Practicalities, fees and registration

The course will be held at the MapAction office in Saunderton which is easily reached by train from central London. Accommodation is not included, lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Course fees are shown in the table below (all in pounds sterling).

Band A: Student / Unemployed / Small Charity*

£360

Band B: Self–funding Individuals / Medium Charity**

£480

Band C: Large Charity / Commercial & State Organisations

£950

* Defined by having fewer than 25 employees ** Defined by having fewer than 45 employees

To find out more please contact Jonny Douch (Training Coordinator) at:

Email: training@mapaction.org

Telephone: +44 (0)1494 56 88 99

To book a place please follow this link and click tickets – Humanitarian Mapping Course 1-3 November 2016

MapAction supports data preparedness in Sri Lanka

Just weeks before massive floods in Sri Lanka killed more than 80 people and forced around 300,000 to leave their homes, MapAction and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) worked with the Government of Sri Lanka to prepare essential base data for emergency preparedness and response.

MapAction and WFP had undertaken a disaster preparedness mission in early May to establish a robust database of key information that would help the national Disaster Management Centre and humanitarian aid agencies decide how best to provide assistance right from the outset of a disaster.

Sri Lanka is experiencing increasing incidences of extreme climatic events. Communities are regularly being struck by droughts, floods and high winds, with highly detrimental impacts on livelihoods and food security. According to a report by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), floods alone have cost the Sri Lankan economy over USD $700 million in the last ten years. Tropical Cyclone Roanu hit the country 14-20 May, bringing as much as 300mm rainfall over three consecutive days, which led to widespread flooding and landslides.

Maps are a critical component of any humanitarian response, in order to determine which communities are affected and how best to assist them. Having high quality data in advance of an event can make a vital difference to the effectiveness of a response when disaster strikes.

In those crucial first days post-disaster, it’s vital to have good quality data on the country’s topography, administrative areas, transport networks, as well as up-to-date statistics on population, health, education and economic status. All these factors influence how a response is planned and how resources are allocated.

MapAction’s collaboration with WFP has put in place a robust database which can be regularly updated and used right from the outset of an emergency response. This means that those precious hours post-disaster can be dedicated to saving lives and minimising suffering, which is the ultimate aim of MapAction’s humanitarian mapping service.

MapAction volunteer, Tom Hughes

MapAction and WFP, working with local authorities, have together created a database of relevant information which is “ready-for-use” in an emergency. The information gathered will be accessible to government and all humanitarian responders and regularly updated and improved in order to maintain the accuracy of the data.

WFP plays a key role in the coordination of delivery of emergency food assistance in Sri Lanka and across the globe. If we have data to hand to understand the profile of the people affected by a disaster, we can spring into action more quickly. That’s data preparedness. The database we’ve set up with MapAction will help us and fellow responders determine what kind of assistance people in each area might need, be it food or other items. It’s all about thinking ahead. The population figures have even been projected as far forward as the next planned census in 2022, giving us a solid basis from which to plan and programme responses well into the future.

Amy Chong, Regional GIS Coordinator for WFP’s Food Security Analysis team for Asia and the Pacific

This project was the first collaboration between MapAction and WFP as part of a broader partnership to strengthen humanitarian responses in South East Asia. The database developed in Sri Lanka will serve as a template for further joint initiatives planned for Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Pacific Island communities in the coming year.

Rapid response for Ecuador earthquake

Two MapAction volunteers have deployed to Ecuador this morning in response to Saturday’s major earthquake. MapAction’s support was requested by the United Nations, following a call for international assistance from the Ecuadorian government on Sunday.

It is anticipated that the team’s initial focus will be to help coordinate search and rescue efforts in the hope of finding more survivors. MapAction’s highly-trained volunteers will also map the needs of survivors, so that responders can target their aid accordingly.

Ecuador is a country prone to earthquakes, so the government has strong procedures in place to be able to respond. Nevertheless the scale of this particular shock – the strongest since 1979 – has caused considerable loss of life and severe damage to infrastructure across an extensive area.

MapAction has sent one of its most experienced volunteers, who has previously undertaken 13 other emergency missions, including to last year’s Nepal earthquakes. Our team trains year-round to be able to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies such as this, so I’m sure our contributions, once again, will prove invaluable in helping to save lives and getting aid to where it is needed most.
MapAction’s Operations Director, Emma Mumford

Responding to El Nino floods in Paraguay

MapAction has sent a team of two volunteers to support the United Nations (UN) and Government of Paraguay in coordinating relief efforts following extensive flooding. The team will be helping the UN’s Disaster Assessment and Coordination team analyse the needs of affected communities and coordinate a strategic response.

Paraguay has been experiencing severe flooding since December 2015. According to a report from the United Nations at the time, at least 130,000 people had been evacuated from their homes. Although conditions had improved in recent months, recent heavy rainfall has exacerbated the situation for thousands of people already in need. Further rainfall is forecast to arrive in the remainder of April and May.

The floods have been linked to the “El Niño” phenomenon, whereby sea-surface temperature changes in the tropical Pacific Ocean lead to climate fluctuations. This is a cyclical phenomenon, but according to the UN’s World Meteorological Organisation the 2015-2016 El Niño is one of the strongest on record.

MapAction briefs Prince Harry on Nepal response

Prince Harry welcomed MapAction to Kensington Palace yesterday for a briefing in advance of his official tour to Nepal. He met with MapAction’s Chief Executive, Liz Hughes, and three of our volunteers who played pivotal roles in our four-month long response.

MapAction volunteer, Dr Hamish Pritchard, had been working in Nepal when the first earthquake struck. He described to Prince Harry his personal reflections on experiencing this major disaster first-hand. Hamish explained how he immediately diverted to support search-and-rescue efforts from Kathmandu and outlined some of the challenges during this acute, life-saving phase of the response.

Kirsty Ferris then outlined how she and fellow MapAction volunteers quickly deployed to reinforce the team in Nepal. Kirsty briefed Prince Harry on how geospatial analysis helped responders identify the worst-affected areas, prioritise their response and establish the best routes available to reach those in greatest need. She also described how she travelled to Gorkha, one of the worst-affected areas, to support the United Nations in setting up coordination hub to facilitate an efficient and effective response.

Wai-Ming Lee (known as Ming) briefed Prince Harry on the final stages of MapAction’s emergency mission. He described how he delivered training and handed over key tools and know-how to partners to support the long-term recovery. He emphasised the importance of geospatial analysis for responders to understand the likely impact of the monsoon and the arrival of winter for communities already coping with the aftermath of the earthquakes.

Prince Harry has been MapAction’s Royal Patron since 2007.

What you’ve done for Nepal and what you do is fantastic.

Prince Harry’s reflections on our briefing

Be part of #TeamMapAction with RideLondon 100!

This July why not test your cycling prowess with the best of them on the 100-mile route made famous by the London 2012 Olympic road race!

 

The shear enjoyment and exhilaration of riding on closed roads through the 2012 Olympic road route is worth entering the ride for, along with the camaraderie of 25000 cyclists, cycling past all those landmarks, finishing on the Mall and not forgetting raising money for such an important cause.

Colin, RideLondon participant 2015

Apply for a MapAction place for the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey event today!

Date: Sunday 31 July 2016

Location: The event starts in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and follows a 100-mile route on closed roads through London and into the spectacular Surrey countryside.

Registration fee: £50

Sponsorship target: £500

Difficulty level: People of all abilities are welcome, but please be aware that the route involves some challenging hill climbs. Participants are expected to complete the 100-mile route within 8.5 hours.

What support do you get?

  • A dedicated point of contact to help you with your fundraising
  • A support team on the day
  • Well-earned refreshments and a massage to welcome you at the end
  • A branded MapAction cycling top once you’ve raised over £200
  • The knowledge that your fundraising efforts will help deliver our emergency mapping service to some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world.

How to apply: Please complete our short online application form to register your interest.

Got your own place? We’d love to welcome you to #TeamMapAction! There is no minimum sponsorship, but if you raise over £200 you too can earn one of our stylish MapAction cycling tops! For more information, please email fundraising@mapaction.org or call 01494 56 88 99.

Responding to Cyclone Winston in Fiji

MapAction is responding to a category 5 storm which made landfall on Fiji’s northern Lau islands between 20-21 February. One highly experienced volunteer has already deployed to support the response and help identify priority needs. A second volunteer will reinforce our team in Fiji in the coming days.

At its peak Cyclone Winston was estimated by the Fiji Meteorological Service to have sustained winds of 230kmph, gusting to 325 kmph, making it the most powerful cyclone to hit Fiji since record-keeping began. The cyclone has caused extensive damage to homes, schools and businesses. There are particular concerns for communities on outlying islands which are thought to have been especially hard hit.

Recent reports in the media, although unconfirmed, have put the death toll at over 20, with fears that this will continue to rise. In many areas power lines have been brought down and communications cut off, making it more challenging to collect accurate, comprehensive data on impact and needs.

The Fiji National Disaster Management Office has activated all government emergency systems including National and Divisional Emergency Operations Centres. MapAction’s team will be supporting the Fijian government and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) to help prioritise and target the humanitarian response.

Photograph: HANDOUT/Reuters

Join the MapAction team in 2016

Please Note – Applications for this recruitment have now ended. We will probably be looking to recruit again towards the end of the year.

MapAction is seeking to expand its volunteer team and is looking for people with a range of skills including GIS, system administration and software development.

In the first six months of joining most new volunteers will be trained to become deployable team members and will then become available to deploy to emergencies providing GIS and other technical support to humanitarian partners. Those who do not deploy to the affected country during an emergency will provide technical support to the field team.

In between emergencies there are also opportunities to support disaster preparedness and build local capacity anywhere in the world, with volunteers working with national and local government or humanitarian non-government organisations in-country. Volunteers will provide geospatial and information management training at UK and international courses and participate in disaster simulation exercises with the UN or other humanitarian partners.

Developing and supporting the technical capacity of MapAction is equally vital and there are always ongoing projects to be involved with. These include software development projects such as specific GIS customisation for desktop, server-based products and web development, and maintenance of laptops, networking and satellite communications.

Click on the links below to see the profile of each of the 3 volunteer roles.

All applications should be sent to recruiting@mapaction.org. The closing date for applications is 31 January 2016.

MapAction wins AGI award for Ebola response

MapAction is delighted to announce that it has won the AGI Award for Excellence with Impact for its Ebola response.

The AGI awards celebrate best practice from across the UK in the application of Geographic Information. MapAction was honoured to be shortlisted for three awards and win the category “Excellence with Impact”. The award was made in recognition of the courage and commitment of MapAction’s volunteers and staff who deployed to Ebola-affected countries to help map the crisis and stem the spread of Ebola.

MapAction’s Chief Executive, Liz Hughes, commented: “I never fail to be impressed and inspired by the commitment of our exceptional team of volunteers. From natural disasters to complex emergencies, I know they can be counted on to respond, but this was something out of the ordinary. I am incredibly proud that so many stepped forward to help in this most challenging of missions and made such a vital difference to mounting an effective response.”

Humanitarian response to Yemen cyclone

Two MapAction volunteers are travelling to Muscat in Oman to support humanitarian efforts following the impact of Tropical Cyclone Chapala in Yemen. They will be working in partnership with the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team to help coordinate and target the response.

At the beginning of November Yemen was struck by the most powerful storm seen in decades. Cyclone Chapala brought hurricane-force winds, torrential rain and high waves to the south Yemen coastline. This has resulted in severe flooding and widespread damage, particularly affecting communities on the island of Socotra and the mainland governorates of Shabwah and Hadramaut. According to the United Nations, up to 1.1 million people are thought to be affected. There are also concerns that continued rain and forecasts of further storms will exacerbate the already precarious situation.

Because tropical cyclones are rare in Yemen, the government and communities have limited capacity to respond to an emergency of this scale. Since March 2015 the country has also been experiencing widespread armed conflict, which has now been classified by the United Nations as a Level 3 emergency – used only for the most severe and large-scale humanitarian crises. The arrival of Cyclone Chapala has therefore brought further misery and suffering for already vulnerable communities.

MapAction responds to Mediterranean crisis

MapAction is deploying volunteers to UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) offices in Athens, Belgrade and Geneva to support the coordination of the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean. Alongside this, MapAction will be working with ACAPS looking at the potential evolution of the situation and analysis of the crisis over the next few months.

Europe is experiencing a movement of people on a scale not seen since the Second World War. The reasons for this are complex; the scale of the situation is deeply concerning. According to recent figures from UNHCR*, more than 600,000 people have arrived in Europe by sea during 2015 alone. Tragically this year more than 3,000 are estimated to have died or gone missing while attempting to make this crossing.

As winter approaches, sea crossings are becoming ever more precarious and onward movement is even more challenging for already vulnerable people. Reports have highlighted that reception facilities are often overstretched, leading to new arrivals having to sleep rough in deteriorating weather conditions.

MapAction’s Operations Director, Emma Mumford, recently travelled to Greece, Serbia and Croatia to meet with humanitarian partners and understand first-hand some of the needs on the ground. Emma explains:

“The first thing that struck me in Lesvos was the warm welcome from the local community, volunteer groups and international organisations to new arrivals who were coming in on a daily basis. Civil society groups have really mobilised to do what they can to help, including greeting refugees with information, transportation and supplies to support their onward journey. It was a humbling experience.

Most of the refugees I met were fleeing from escalating violence in Syria. They described how extreme threats at home made it preferable to take their chances on boats across from Turkey (those I saw were small black inflatable dinghies that were not fit for purpose). But even then, the journey ahead is still one fraught with uncertainty and confusion.

With ever-increasing numbers of people arriving on islands like Lesvos, facilities are struggling to cope. Refugees then embark on a long and often difficult journey across Europe – taking a variety of different routes – all looking for safety and security for them and their families. Within this constantly changing context, responders typically do not know how many people they may need to support on a daily basis, and numbers are always one of the most fundamental considerations in planning any response.

A key challenge, therefore, is in understanding this mass movement of people, so that relief efforts can be coordinated and targeted effectively. This takes on a strong geographical dimension, which is of course where MapAction can play a vital role.

This is an unusual mission for MapAction. We typically only deploy to countries where technical mapping skills are in short supply and sudden onset disasters have overwhelmed existing capacity. Nevertheless it is clear that vulnerable people are suffering in this crisis and MapAction’s humanitarian mapping service can play a role in alleviating this.”

MapAction estimates that its response to the Mediterranean crisis will cost approximately £13,500. At time of writing, we do not have any external funding to support these costs.

If you would like to make a donation, you can do so here. If you are a UK taxpayer, please don’t forget to Gift Aid your donation, as this will add a further 25p for every £1 donated. Thank you.


* UNHCR situation report, as of 15 October 2015

MapAction’s South Sudan response continues

MapAction has been working on a long-term project with humanitarian partners to establish settlement datasets for South Sudan to facilitate relief efforts since March, and is now entering the final stage of monitoring the impact of the work.

South Sudan is one of the world’s poorest countries, recovering from a long-standing conflict. It is also one of the most volatile. According to the United Nations, conflict has resulted in approximately 1.6 million people being displaced within South Sudan’s borders and more than 600,000 fleeing to neighbouring countries. This instability is also taking a devastating toll on food production, with more than 4.6 million people considered to be suffering from severe food insecurity. Ongoing security incidents affect communities and the ability of humanitarian teams to reach them with assistance.

MapAction has been working with the South Sudanese National Bureau of Statistics and humanitarian partners to help create the first ever harmonised datasets, establishing the locations of communities which, amongst other objectives, facilitates the effective delivery of humanitarian aid.

MapAction volunteers have undertaken a series of missions in recent months. The first, in May, was to establish which datasets were most important to support relief efforts. Two volunteers subsequently deployed in August to help collect the relevant data and create appropriate tools to enable effective data analysis.

Whilst MapAction works to complete the dataset tools, feedback from our partners so far has been extremely positive. Anecdotal feedback highlights that the data and tools made available will not only support the planning and implementation of humanitarian operations, but also help protect the safety and security of humanitarian workers in the field.

A third MapAction mission is planned for November 2015 to understand where improvements can be made, evaluate the usefulness of the project and capture lessons learnt. It is anticipated that much of the methodology could be replicated and built upon for other humanitarian contexts.

Supporting resilience in the Pacific

In March this year MapAction responded to a category 5 storm that struck Vanuatu. The storm had a significant impact causing serious damage to the capital, Port Vila and other parts of the country. MapAction volunteers worked with the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team and with the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office to provide an emergency mapping resource in support of the response. Our work concluded in April as the relief phase began to wind down.

As the situation has started to stabilise and the people of Vanuatu are recovering from Cyclone Pam, MapAction has just returned to Vanuatu to assess how to build the country’s capacity for emergency response mapping in the future. At the invitation of the Government of Vanuatu and the United Nations Development Programme, MapAction deployed two mapping specialists, Alan Mills and volunteer Rachel Alsop, to consider current capacities and training requirements as a way to help Vanuatu become more resilient.

Vanuatu is an island nation approximately 2,000 km north east of Queensland, Australia. Made up of 83 islands, organised in six provinces, it has a population of 250,000. While a few islands have good infrastructure, many are composed of isolated villages relying predominantly on subsistence farming and fishing. As well as being in a cyclone-prone area from November to April each year, it has some of the most active volcanoes in the region and is in a seismically active zone. The small size of islands also makes water resources scarce during drought. Storm surge, landslides and villages being cut off by flooding rivers can be common occurrences in season. Building resilience against this set of potential emergencies is important and emergency mapping is vital within that.

The long-term aim of the project is to give Vanuatuan agencies greater capacity for responding quickly, with easily accessible accurate and extensive datasets, tools and protocols to be able to make maps and other information products and methods of distributing such. These should link with other resilience aims of the Government such as building early warning systems.

The aim of this particular mission was to scope the needs for such capacity, review the existing situation and make recommendations for gap filling to which MapAction could potentially contribute in a follow-up deployment. The mission tested once more our model for preparedness activities and broadens our experience in extending our services and expertise in this way. It also highlighted the importance of complementing current government standards and procedures, whilst also ensuring affected communities voices are heard. A follow-up capacity-building mission is proposed before the end 2015 to deliver the new dataset templates (e.g. for “who, what, where” analysis), establish protocols and data management, and train personnel in both product creation and database management. This would be timely to cope with forecasts of an emerging El Nino drought situation and preparing for the 2016 cyclone season.

Reflecting on MapAction’s Nepal response

MapAction has now completed its humanitarian mapping mission in response to the Nepal earthquakes. Over the course of our four-month mission, 13 volunteers and staff have created more than 110 maps and contributed 230 days of expertise. 

MapAction’s Operations Director, Emma Mumford, reflects: “The challenges for this response have been particularly acute due to the difficult mountainous terrain and the prevalence of landslides during the monsoon season, which quickly followed the earthquakes. The team has achieved a great deal in supporting the coordination and programming of aid for those affected. Although our physical presence in Nepal has come to an end, we remain in close contact with our partners to explore how we can contribute to this and future emergencies.”

You can read Emma’s full supporter update below. 

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MapAction: Nepal earthquake response

“As the Clinical Lead for the UK’s disaster response in Nepal I never failed to be impressed and grateful for the fantastic and invaluable information provided by the MapAction team. Every evening and through the night the MapAction team would input information from our daily recces and create a new map for our recce the next day. I would receive a new map by email in the early hours of the morning and several copies would be left for me at 0600 in the MapAction tent. Fabulous service.”

Dr Sean Hudson, Clinical Lead, UK Emergency Medical Team, UK-Med

Key facts and figures

  • On 25 April 2015, an earthquake of 7.8 magnitude hit Nepal.
  • It was the worst natural disaster to strike the country since 1934.
  • More than 8,800 people were killed and more than 23,000 injured.
  • An estimated 450,000 people have been displaced.

Thanks to the support of the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) and people like you, MapAction was able to respond immediately. Over the course of our four-month mission, 13 MapAction mapping experts have created more than 110 maps and contributed 230 days of expertise.

How the mission unfolded

On 25 April 2015 Nepal was struck by a devastating earthquake, which was followed by further quakes and aftershocks. Within 24 hours of the first earthquake the United Nations (UN) had made an official request for MapAction to deploy with its Disaster Assessment and Coordination team. We were fortunate that one of our MapAction volunteers was on site in Kathmandu and diverted immediately to help. Two further volunteers deployed to Kathmandu the following day.

Dr Hamish Pritchard, one of MapAction’s most experienced volunteers, had been working on a glacier mapping project for his ‘day job’ on the south side of Kathmandu when the earthquake struck. He immediately transferred to the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Base of Operations near the airport to support initial coordination efforts. As one of the first people at the scene, Hamish drew on his experience of helping at other humanitarian emergencies (including the Haiti earthquake) to provide mapped analysis to help coordinate search and rescue efforts.

Map left: Urban Search and Rescue Sectors as of 29 April 2015


As the full scale of the emergency became clear, MapAction sent further volunteers to reinforce the field team. Nigel Woof was one of the first volunteers to arrive in-country. He commented:

“In terms of the scale of this disaster, more than 8,000 are known to have lost their lives with around half a million people estimated to have lost their homes and pretty much everything else. In this respect we are getting flashbacks to the Kashmir earthquake in 2005 where we faced similar issues. We’re trying to create a picture of damage and needs across an affected area about the size of Wales – but imagine a Wales with 5,000-metre peaks and access routes challenged by landslides and earthquake damage.”

Photo right: MapAction volunteer, Nigel Woof, working into the night

With widespread destruction caused by the earthquake, MapAction volunteers lived in tented accommodation positioned outside the United Nation’s coordination hub. This was where incoming responders came to get critical analysis regarding the extent of impact and what other responders were doing in-country. Our initial focus was to help coordinate search and rescue efforts to avoid gaps or duplication. The team also created mapped analysis about the areas which had been worst affected by the earthquake to help prioritise and target the response.

MapAction’s Royal Patron, Prince Harry, sent a message of support for our volunteers working with fellow responders on the humanitarian response in Nepal. He commented: “I have been deeply saddened to hear of the terrible loss of life and damage caused by the earthquake over the weekend. My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones and the many thousands who have been left homeless as a result of this tragedy.” He went on, “I also wanted to send my sincere thanks and best wishes to all of you who are engaged in the difficult and dangerous job of finding those still missing and supporting the injured.”

From 4 May onwards, MapAction decided to split the team, with some team members travelling to areas of priority need. Three volunteers remained in Kathmandu while two travelled to Chautara and Sindhupalchok close to the earthquake epicentre. Outside the capital, the damage was extensive and all too evident. In Chautara, the hospital had been particularly badly hit, so a temporary field hospital had been set up on a playing field. It was next to this field hospital that international responders set up their coordination hub and where MapAction set up camp.

Photo right: MapAction’s mapping centre in Chautara

Six weeks into the response, MapAction completed its final volunteer rotation for the emergency phase of the mission. Recognising that there was still great humanitarian need, two further MapAction mapping experts were deployed on longer assignments to support assessment and information analysis, working in partnership with ACAPS[1] and OCHA[2] and hosted by the Nepali government. These experts have been providing spatial analysis and mapping know-how to convey critical situational information about the ongoing needs of affected communities.

This second phase of our response coincided with the arrival of the monsoon season, causing landslides and disruption for already vulnerable communities. MapAction’s mapped products and analysis helped responders understand the needs of communities in hard-to-reach locations, many of whom could only be reached via helicopter or porters.

Looking forward, MapAction has also been helping plan for the likely impact of winter for affected communities. Around 150,000 people live in areas where the average January temperature is 5 degrees Celsius or less, making it a priority to ensure that durable shelters are provided before the winter arrives.

The needs remain great in Nepal and MapAction continues to maintain a dialogue with our counterparts in-country, however as of 27 August the MapAction mission has come to an end. MapAction volunteers and staff have been working closely with humanitarian partners to ensure that they have the mapping know-how to be able to carry activities forward without our presence in the field. We are also in discussions with key emergency management teams to explore training requirements to support future responses. So while the mission has come to a close, our partnerships will continue well into the future.

On behalf of everyone at MapAction, thank you for your very kind and generous support. I’m incredibly proud of what our volunteers and staff have achieved for the Nepal earthquake response. I know your support means a great deal to them too. We do not receive any funding through large national appeals, so every penny you donated has made a big difference to our work.

Please do keep up-to-date with MapAction’s news on our website: www.mapaction.org or follow us on Twitter (@mapaction) or Facebook. Thank you again for your support.

Emma Mumford, Operations Director


[1] ACAPS supports and strengthens humanitarian capacities to carry out better coordinated assessments before, during and after crises.

[2] OCHA: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

MapAction wins four Stevie business awards

MapAction is delighted to announce that it has won four Stevie International Business Awards, which will be formally presented on 23 October in Toronto, Canada.

MapAction was recognised in the following categories:

Company of the Year (Non-Profit / Government Organisation) – Gold award (winner)

Management Team of the Year (outside of North America) – Gold award (winner)

Chairman of the Year, Roy Wood – Silver award

Support Team of the Year, MapAction’s Operational Support Team volunteers – Silver award

The Stevie Awards (http://www.stevieawards.com/iba/) were created in 2002 to honour and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working professionals worldwide. The name Stevie is taken from the name Stephen, which is derived from the Greek for “crowned.”

More than 3,700 nominations were submitted for Stevie International Business Awards this year. Winners were determined by the average scores of more than 200 executives worldwide who participated in the judging process between May and August 2015.

Comments from the judges on MapAction’s submissions included: “A much needed resource helping those who most need it. Innovative and inspirational” and “An excellent project, much needed in emergencies, with a clearly defined team and impressive accomplishments”.

MapAction’s Chief Executive, Liz Hughes, commented, “It is testament to the dedication, professionalism and creativity of the entire MapAction team – volunteers, trustees and staff – that we have been recognised in all four of the categories that we entered. Every day I am inspired by the incredible team around me. It is very gratifying to know that I am not alone in my admiration of this exceptional team that makes such an important difference to the effective delivery of humanitarian aid.”

Supporting Unicef in Cameroon

MapAction has sent two highly-experienced volunteers to Cameroon to support Unicef’s work with refugees in-country.

According to Unicef, the northern region of Cameroon is hosting over 66,000 refugees from Nigeria. The situation is further compounded by ongoing insecurity which is limiting people’s movements and having an adverse effect on food security. In eastern areas communities are also hosting as many as 139,000 refugees from the ongoing crisis in Central African Republic.

MapAction’s team is working in partnership with Unicef to map strategic areas for humanitarian intervention in affected regions. They will also help strengthen information management capacity in Cameroon by delivering specialist training in humanitarian mapping tools and techniques.

Emma Mumford, MapAction’s Operations Director, commented: “I am very proud that MapAction is supporting this underreported, yet acute humanitarian crisis, contributing to Unicef’s important work supporting vulnerable children in the country and in the region. I hope it will lead to further collaboration in future as the needs are clearly so great.”

[Photo: A MapAction volunteer training Unicef staff in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2014]

Prince Harry celebrates MapAction’s achievements

MapAction’s patron, Prince Harry, attended a special reception last night to celebrate the charity’s recent achievements, with particular focus on its vital role in the response to the Ebola outbreak.

Prince Harry and fellow guests listened to presentations from MapAction volunteers who had deployed to Sierra Leone for the Ebola Response.

At the event Andy Kervell, MapAction volunteer, talked movingly about his experience of deploying to Sierra Leone to help with the Ebola outbreak. Prince Harry also gave a speech, reflecting on what he had heard, “I’m sure everyone here will share my admiration for the courage shown by MapAction’s volunteers in responding so readily to the Ebola response – this is nothing less than I have come to expect of them over my years as patron.”

Liz Hughes, Chief Executive of MapAction who accompanied Prince Harry at the event added, “From the recent Nepal earthquake to conflict in Yemen, our volunteers have proven time after time that they are willing to respond to increasingly unpredictable and volatile humanitarian crises. The need for our humanitarian mapping service has never been greater. We have the people and the skills to do more – what we lack is the funding. With the support of Prince Harry and fellow guests at our special reception, MapAction can make vital progress in rising to the challenges ahead.”

A copy of the video shown at the event can be viewed here:

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For further information on how you can support MapAction’s work, please contact Chloe Browitt on 01494 568899 or email: fundraising@mapaction.org.

Nepal Earthquake – Interactive Mapping

Kathmandu, 13 May – MapAction has been developing a capacity to provide interactive maps for our service users. This enables anyone to interactive with the map by switching on different layers, zooming to the extent that they are interested in. Users can also query the data, save and print button a custom map. This gives greater flexibility and adaptability for service users specific requirements.  

Below are a two interactive maps that have been produced in Nepal.

Village Development Committee (VDC) Map Maker

The Village Development Committee (VDC) Map Maker provides a tool to make a reference map of a VDC with Wards.Click here for the interactive Village Development Committee (VDC) Tool.

How to use 

To locate a District or VDC, click the query icon on the application banner.

The query panel will open which then allows you to query by District Name, District PCode, VDC Name or VDC PCode.

You can then print or save you VDC map to use offline.

Who-What-Where (3W) Village Development Committee (VDC) Map

This map shows the number of activities and agencies per cluster per VDC in the affected areas of Nepal. Click here for the 3W VDC Map

Elevation Profile Viewer

Click here for the Nepal Earthquake Elevation Profile Viewer.

This interactive map shows the elevation for main roads in Nepal.

How to use

Select a feature (road) in the map. Select a feature in the map. show me
NOTE: the feature must be in a layer with Popups enabled.
Use the Measure tools. show me
Hover over or touch the Elevations Profile chart to display elevations and show location on map.

Other Resources

Data published by MapAction can be found on the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX). All maps created by MapAction can be found on the Nepal Deployment page. Sign up for a daily digest of the maps created in the field here.

Matched funding opportunity for Nepal response

UK, 28 Apr – MapAction is participating in a matched funding appeal for its response to the Nepal earthquake. Donations made through the Big Give will be doubled. UK taxpayers can further boost the value of their gift by adding Gift Aid. 

To benefit from matched funding, please donate here.

MapAction does not benefit from the DEC appeal, so every penny, dollar or Euro donated will make a big difference to our work.

Thank you.

MapAction mobilises to Nepal

Kathmandu, 26 Apr – A MapAction team has been mobilised in response to a devastating earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale that hit Nepal Saturday 12 noon, local time.  One of MapAction’s volunteers was already in Kathmandu and is liaising with the United Nations on mapping needs.

Early indications are several thousand have died, many are still buried under rubble and hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties. The extent of the impact of the emergency is still to be fully determined but it is believed to have impacted Nepal’s second city, Pokhara, and mountainous rural areas.  The Government of Nepal has declared a state of emergency and requested international assistance. A UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team and Urban Search and Rescue teams are deploying to assist.

MapAction undertook a preparedness mission in 2010 with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ensuring essential data and information was pre identified to help with emergencies like this.

All maps created by MapAction can be found on the Nepal Deployment page.

Sign up for a daily digest of the maps created in the field here.

MapAction responds to crisis in South Sudan

Juba, 17 Mar – Two MapAction volunteers are travelling to South Sudan to provide mapping support for the United Nations and humanitarian partners.

This is MapAction’s second deployment to South Sudan, following an earlier mission in 2014. The situation in-country continues to be of acute concern. Many communities are living in precarious conditions, under threat of conflict and without health services or clean water. The United Nations estimates that 1.5 million people have been displaced and 4.1 million will need life-saving support in 2015.

MapAction’s volunteers will be working with colleagues from the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) to support the collection and analysis of key data to help coordinate the response to this protracted and highly complex humanitarian crisis.

MapAction mobilises for Chile floods

Santiago, 27 Mar – MapAction is sending a team of two volunteers at the request of the United Nations and Government of Chile in response to severe flooding in the north of the country.

A state of emergency has been declared in the Atacama and Antofagasta regions where two people have already died and twenty-two are missing. Over 40,000 people are reported to be without drinking water and 53,500 without electricity. People have been asked to self-evacuate. Further heavy rainfall is likely to make conditions even worse. The United Nations team will help with needs and damage assessments.

In the meantime MapAction has also sent a second rotation of personnel to Vanuatu to finalise the organisation’s support there and handover to the United Nations and national mapping focal points.

Rise to the challenge of RideLondon 100

UK, 17 Mar – DEADLINE EXTENDED…..This August test your cycling prowess with the best of them on the 100-mile route made famous by the London 2012 Olympic road race.

The atmosphere on the day was electric. It was such an inspiring experience and wonderful to know I was raising money for such an important cause.” Lucy, past RideLondon participant

Why not apply for a MapAction place for the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey event today?

Date: Sunday 2 August 2015

Location: The event starts in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and follows a 100-mile route on closed roads through London and into the spectacular Surrey countryside.

Registration fee: £50

Sponsorship target: £500

Difficulty level: People of all abilities are welcome, but please be aware that the route involves some challenging hill climbs. Participants are expected to complete the 100-mile route within 8.5 hours.

What support do you get?

  • A dedicated point of contact to help you with your fundraising
  • A support team on the day
  • Well-earned refreshments and a massage to welcome you at the end
  • A branded MapAction cycling top once you’ve raised over £200
  • The knowledge that your fundraising efforts will help deliver our emergency mapping service to some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world.

How to apply: Please complete our short online application form below to register your interest.

Got your own place? We’d love to welcome you to Team MapAction! There is no minimum sponsorship, but if you raise over £200 you too can earn one of our stylish MapAction cycling tops! For more information, please contact Melina on info@mapaction.org or call 01494 56 88 99.

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Mission to Vanuatu following Cyclone Pam

Port Vila, 14 Mar – MapAction is sending two personnel to Vanuatu to help coordinate the response to Cyclone Pam, which struck the South Pacific islands on Friday. The team will be working in partnership with the United Nations’ Disaster Assessment and Coordination teams and the National Disaster Management Office to map the needs of affected communities and help coordinate the response.

Cyclone Pam struck Vanuatu late on Friday night and has caused widespread devastation to homes and livelihoods. The United Nations has described the impact as “catastrophic”.

In particular there are concerns about communities on outlying southern islands, with which communication has been cut. These islands are home to more than 33,000 people and typically have less developed infrastructure. Fears have been raised that communities will have struggled to find adequate shelter to withstand a storm of this magnitude.

This is MapAction’s first emergency deployment to Vanuatu, however the charity has extensive experience of responding to major weather-related emergencies, including the devastating Typhoon Haiyan that struck the Philippines in 2013.

Follow-on deployment to Malawi floods

Lilongwe, 6 Feb – Following our recent deployment to Malawi, MapAction has been requested to send another rotation of mapping specialists to help create a common operational picture of national needs in relation to the ongoing flood emergency.

The MapAction team will be working in partnership with the United Nations’ Information Management team in Lilongwe to help clean, verify and compile accurate data about the national response. They will in particular be responsible for creating mapped analysis and infographics to support key decision-making.  Within this, MapAction will play an important role in helping to coordinate how information is shared between field teams and the main coordination centre.

According to the latest reports (4 February) from the United Nations’ Disaster Assessment and Coordination team in Malawi, over 1 million people have been affected by the floods of whom 336,000 have been displaced and are having to find shelter in temporary camps or with host families. At least 104 people are thought to have died.

Responding to floods in Malawi

Lilongwe, 16 Jan – MapAction has sent two volunteers and one staff member to Malawi at the request of the United Nations and Malawi government to assist with the response to severe flooding.

According to the United Nations, an estimated 70,000 people have been displaced and 48 killed by extensive floods caused by recent heavy rain (as of 14 January). The floods have also caused widespread damage to crops, livestock and infrastructure. Initial assessments indicate that the southern districts of Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe and Zomba have been particularly badly affected.

It is anticipated that MapAction’s volunteers will work within the UN’s central coordination hub in Lilongwe, but they may also travel to affected areas to assist with assessments. The charity’s Technical Director, Andy Smith, is joining the volunteer team to support the first use of MapAction’s new web mapping capability in a live emergency following extensive development and testing in scenario training situations.

The President of the Republic of Malawi has declared a State of Emergency in the 15 affected districts and appealed to the international community for assistance in search-and-rescue expertise, as well as the provision of tents, food and non-food items.

This is MapAction’s first emergency deployment to Malawi, however the charity provided training in GIS and GPS* for disaster response for Malawian government agencies in 2008. Malawi is also one of the focus countries for MapAction’s preparedness activities – Resilient Action for Mapping Preparedness (RAMP). These earlier preparations have resulted in much quicker access to relevant data to support this emergency response. You can read more on RAMP here.

* GIS – Geographical Information Systems / GPS – Global Positioning System

Our volunteers in action – Mali and Ghana

West Africa, 22 Dec – Two volunteers have been in action in West Africa recently helping with the efforts against Ebola – Alan Mills in Mali and KirstyFerris in Ghana. 

The Mali government asked for international assistance to prepare for the possibility of a widening Ebola outbreak after six people were infected, one of them the person who had brought the virus from Guinea. Alan joined the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team already there. He reports that the mission was about understanding the priorities for information management in Ebola preparedness, identifying what was already in place and  clarifying requirements in response to a possible further outbreak. One aspect of this included documenting all available relevant data and establishing a framework for the place codes and typical mapping we produce to clarify gaps in response. MapAction has now been asked to send a consolidation mission to Mali and it is likely that a volunteer will depart on 10 January. Alan says “Bamako will be very hot in January but it’s an interesting city and there’s good will from the Malians and their international partners here to co-operate and build something strong.” The Mali government is establishing an Ebola Operations Centre, which could be used for other emergencies. 

Alan coordinates our Resilient Action for Mapping Preparedness project (RAMP) that started with a pilot in Southern Africa in 2012. The project aims to develop the capacity for mapping preparedness within government bodies responsible for emergency response and is targeted at countries with a high likelihood of disasters. It aims to improve their information management by providing tools, guidelines and training in collaboration with agencies; technical, GIS and information specialists. To reinforce whatever we do we have identified the need to work with intermediary organisations such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Caribbean and are in discussion with the World Food Programme in Asia Pacific. 

Liz Hughes, chief executive of MapAction says, “The Mali mission has given us the opportunity to apply the methodology of our RAMP project and demonstrate the value of preparedness work.” 

In Ghana, Kirsty Ferris has just completed a two-week volunteer mission working with the United Nations Ebola Emergency Response Mission (UNMEER), working to strengthen the data management structure for the regional response to the crisis. UNMEER is tasked to provide leadership and coordination in collaboration with the host governments across all three of the most affected countries. Kirsty followed Darren Connaghan’s one month paid mission; when he began the information management structure was minimal and required considerable coordination with many information management specialists across the region. This is the first time in recent years that MapAction has been involved in a regional mission at this level. 

How mapping worked in fighting Ebola

West Africa, 17 Dec – Since September MapAction has been actively involved in helping tackle the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, with deployments to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali and Ghana, as well as remote support for coordination efforts.

Our first mission was to Liberia, where 4 volunteers and 2 staff worked with the United Nations and International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP) to help coordinate the national and international Ebola response. At the time of the deployment 3,280 cases and 1,677 deaths had already been reported in-country, making it a priority to identify transmission routes and prevent further infections.

Shortly after more MapAction volunteers were deployed to Sierra Leone to work in the government’s National Ebola Response Centre in Freetown for a period of a month. Our mission was to use our mapping skills to help decision-makers ensure that adequate treatment facilities were being provided in the right places and to identify the most effective means of stopping the transmission of Ebola.

Working closely with the UK Department for International Development, our volunteers began by focusing on data management, providing reference information on administrative units and place codes at district and province level (crucial in making sure we were all making reference to the same places). We also provided information on the number of cases of Ebola, by gender and location, and identified where treatment centre were and how many beds were available.

This work was supplemented by mapping the number of cases against building density in Freetown and advising the water and sanitation authorities where to put fresh water tap stands. Our highly experienced volunteers briefed senior Sierra Leonean government ministers and the country’s president on our work.

On a regional level, two MapAction volunteers have been working on data management for the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response in Accra, Ghana. A further volunteer has recently deployed to Mali to support preparedness activities to pre-empt and contain any future outbreak in-country.

Alongside this work in the affected area, MapAction is also supporting the Digital Humanitarian Network (DHN) – a network of volunteer-based information management organisations like ourselves. One of our volunteers is currently holding the post of Network Coordinator. MapAction is also hosting the online network on our server, enabling round-the-clock communication between members globally on data sourcing and management.

Thanks to the support of the UK Department for International Development (DFID) we are funding an Ebola response coordinator for DHN for six months. The role is supporting humanitarian responders by facilitating effective information-sharing.

Run the London Marathon for MapAction

UK, 15 Dec – Final chance to run the London Marathon for MapAction! The charity has been lucky enough to secure guaranteed places in the Virgin London Marathon for next April. You can find out more about what it means to join Team MapAction and register your interest at: www.mapaction.org/marathon.

Places are limited, so please register by 12pm GMT Wednesday 17 December to be in with a chance of joining Team MapAction!

MapAction continues to support Ebola response

Bamako and Accra, 10 Dec – In response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa, MapAction has deployed two further skilled volunteers to the region – bringing the total deployed since September to 13.

Following on from an earlier mission, a MapAction volunteer has deployed to Ghana to support the regional response being coordinated by United Nations’ Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER). UNMEER is the first ever UN mission for a public health emergency and has the stated aims of stopping the spread of the disease, treating infected patients, ensuring essential services, preserving stability, and preventing the spread of Ebola to unaffected countries. Although progress has been made in establishing treatment centres and tracing transmission routes, it remains a priority to establish the information flows and data management structure which is where MapAction’s expertise will be of particular benefit.

A second volunteer has deployed to Mali to help government authorities prepare for the risk of a future Ebola outbreak. Although 8 cases have already been reported in Mali, thus far they have been successfully contained. This mission is therefore to provide expertise in data preparedness and emergency mapping skills so that authorities can establish an Emergency Operations Centre and are prepared to respond if a more significant outbreak ensues.

According to the World Health Organization, 17,145 confirmed, probable, and suspected cases have been reported within this current Ebola outbreak up to the end of 30 November 2014. There have been 6,070 reported deaths.

Jonny Douch, MapAction’s Operations Director, commented: “I am incredibly proud that, as most of the UK busies itself with preparing for Christmas, two MapAction volunteers are stepping up to help in the ongoing battle against Ebola. Both missions will be strategically important. The role within UNMEER will be pivotal in getting to grips with the current outbreak, and the Mali deployment is an exciting opportunity to put measures in place before the situation in-country escalates. In both cases, I am sure that MapAction’s volunteers will make an important difference in helping to tackle this devastating health emergency.”

Match funding opportunity goes live

UK, 8 Dec – Matched funds are still available!

Thank you to all our supporters who have donated via the Big Give Christmas Challenge. So far we have raised over £7,000 including matched funds and Gift Aid – a fantastic result! Matched funding is still available, so if you were not able to give earlier, there is still the opportunity to double your donation via: MapAction – The Big Give. Thank you for your support.

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From 10am GMT on Thursday 4 December supporters have the chance to double their donation to MapAction thanks to matched funding provided by Esri UK and the Big Give.

A £10 donation could become £22.50 once you add matched funds and Gift Aid*.

Matched funds are limited and will be released in tranches at 10am GMT on Thursday 4, Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December. To be in with the best chance of doubling their donation, MapAction supporters are encouraged to sign up for a reminder email using the form below.

All donations should be made via MapAction – The Big Give.

On behalf of all the staff and volunteers at MapAction, thank you for any support you can give.

MapAction would also like to thank Esri UK and the Big Give for enabling the charity to benefit from this exciting fundraising opportunity. Such support is always vitally important, but particularly at the moment with MapAction’s key role in the Ebola response across West Africa.

* Gift Aid can only be claimed on donations from UK taxpayers

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Reflections on the Ebola outbreak

Freetown, 19 Nov – The following reflections on the Ebola outbreak were written by Andy Kervell, MapAction’s Team Leader in Freetown, Sierra Leone. They were originally drafted to update friends and family members on the team’s progress in the field. Any opinions are Andy’s own.

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On my arrival in Freetown I couldn’t help but be struck by the heartbreaking stories of loss, pain and misery from the communities affected by this terrible virus. This must in some ways be on a par with the horror stories following the Sierra Leonean civil war. This battle though is against one of nature’s most lethal biological weapons, and here in Sierra Leone it really is being treating by the government and population like being at war.

MapAction is working out of the National Ebola Response Centre (NERC) in Freetown, which has been set up to coordinate and support the courageous efforts of the many medical and support staff (cleaners, ambulance drivers, burial teams included) battling it out on the front line. They all deserve a medal and the world’s respect for the personal risk they are accepting in carrying out their essential work.  In our back office function we don’t feel at any risk – the only thing is that you have to wash your hands every time you enter a building and have your temperature taken.

Working within the NERC, the daily routine involves a number of meetings and briefings, covering subjects ranging from ambulance distribution to the implementation of burial policies. It is not easy debating distressing subjects like ‘dead body management’, but is essential that such things are done with the professionalism and dignity required to generate the right support, action and authority.

So what role has MapAction played in all of this? Like many emergencies, information management and its visualisation plays such a key role in the response. Fighting the spread of the virus is as much about information management as it is logistics and epidemiology. The processing of data about a suspected case, from the call to the 117 helpline set up to report possible cases, through to their isolation, the laboratory testing of their samples, subsequent treatment, and unfortunately in some cases, the safe burials, must be recorded and collated.

MapAction has been advising the NERC team on how such information can be best managed, and how to visualise it in useful ways. This then provides experts such as the UK epidemiologists, the World Health Organisation and Centre for Disease Control (CDC) with essential information about how the virus is spreading, its rate of infection and how the country is implementing the control measures required. Key indicators such as number of cases, treatment beds available, safe burials within 24 hours, etc are all being reported daily to the NERC. Bringing these numbers down below target levels is essential in slowing transmission rates and therefore stemming the spread of the virus.

MapAction’s field team has presented its maps to the Sierra Leone President and Minister of State for Defence and the British High Commissioner at various briefings, so we certainly have been in the thick of it! It was very heartening to hear Palo Conteh, Chief Executive of the NERC, comment on one of our presentations: “This is a fantastic picture. I can sit here and see everything.”

Freetown itself is an amazing city, clinging Rio-esque to the steep hills plummeting towards the Atlantic Ocean, it makes for a really spectacular journey from our lodgings to the office each day. The roads are fairly chaotic and full of enormous pot holes, and you see from the houses by the roadside the limited development of this country.

However life appears to be carrying on, although it is apparently much quieter than normal owing to the fear of Ebola. Large gatherings have been banned, so spectator sports such as football games, and even the Hash House Harriers have been postponed. There is a growing frustration in the community that they would like to get back to normal. But unfortunately for this country, already blighted by poverty, it will be many months yet before this occurs.

I will have to return quickly back to everyday life after my two-week deployment is up, but the mission will have a lasting memory and impact on my life. This, though, is what being part of MapAction is all about and it is again a privilege to represent such a great charity and perform its role as we have been trained to do. Hopefully our short input will have some positive impact to the response, and this amazing country and people will be rid of this terrible virus.

Responding to Ebola in Sierra Leone

Freetown, 22 Oct – Following on from the charity’s recent deployment to Liberia, MapAction has deployed a highly experienced team to Sierra Leone to help coordinate the response to the Ebola outbreak there. The team will provide mapping support to the Ebola Operations Centre in Freetown. The deployment has been primarily funded by the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID).

The Ebola outbreak is unprecedented in scale and geographical scope. Not only has it already claimed thousands of lives, but it is also impacting on the security, economy and livelihoods of communities across the affected countries. Within this complex and challenging context MapAction’s mapped situational analysis can help make the response as targeted and effective as possible.

Jonny Douch, MapAction’s Operations Director, commented: “This deployment follows quickly from our recent mission to Liberia. The needs are great and the situation is extremely complex. I am very proud that MapAction’s volunteers continue to step up to the plate and offer their skills in this most challenging of emergencies. This is a tremendous opportunity to support the work of national and international organisations, including many from the UK public sector, to scale up activities and overcome this deadly disease.”

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“Highly commended” at Third Sector Awards

UK, 30 Sep – MapAction is delighted to have been “highly commended” as a finalist at the Third Sector charity awards earlier this month. The commendation was in recognition of MapAction’s response to Typhoon Haiyan under the category “Small Charity Big Achiever”.

MapAction’s Chief Executive, Liz Hughes, commented: “While the focus of this nomination was our response to Typhoon Haiyan, it celebrated the remarkable commitment and can-do attitude of all our volunteers in so many challenging emergency situations every year.  Receiving this recognition under the banner “Small Charity, Big Achiever” underlines the vital difference this small volunteer team makes within global humanitarian response.”

MapAction deploys to Liberia for Ebola response

Monrovia, 17 Sep – MapAction has deployed a team of two volunteers and its Chief Executive to Monrovia in response to the Ebola outbreak which has spread across West Africa. The team will be working in partnership with the United Nations and International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP) to help coordinate the national and international response to this medical emergency.

As of 7 September, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the total number of probable, confirmed and suspected cases in West Africa stood at 4,366, with 2,218 deaths across Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone. Of these countries, Liberia has been particularly hard-hit.

The demand for treatment far outstrips the medical facilities currently available. Anecdotal reports indicate that as soon as an Ebola treatment centre is opened, more patients arrive than can be treated. WHO staff have confirmed there are currently no free beds for Ebola treatment anywhere in Liberia. When patients are turned away from treatment centres, they have no choice but to return to their communities and homes, where they risk infecting others and perpetuating the spread of the virus.

Liz Hughes, MapAction’s Chief Executive, commented: “There can be no doubt: the spread of Ebola is a humanitarian emergency of the highest order. MapAction is working with strategic partners to ensure there is a concerted and coordinated response to this virus that has already tragically claimed so many lives. The situation on the ground is extremely complex. MapAction will provide its unique surge mapping expertise to help responders understand the needs of affected communities, so they can target their response effectively.”

This is MapAction’s first emergency deployment to Liberia, although it provided specialist training in mapping health priorities for Merlin in 2005.

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Small Charity, Big Achiever award nomination

UK, 11 Aug – MapAction is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted for a Third Sector award in the “Small Charity, Big Achiever” category. The award recognises the achievements of small charities that have made a substantial impact on national or international life.

MapAction’s nomination focuses on the charity’s response to Typhoon Haiyan last November, for which a team pre-deployed to the Philippines before the typhoon made landfall. The award winner will be announced on 18 September in London. The full list of shortlisted charities is available at Third Sector Excellence Awards shortlist 2014.

MapAction’s Chief Executive, Liz Hughes, commented: “It is an honour for MapAction to have been shortlisted for the Small Charity, Big Achiever award. This award really sums up what MapAction is all about and is a celebration of the tireless efforts of our volunteers and staff who make such an important impact on the efficient delivery of humanitarian aid.

We congratulate the other charities shortlisted for awards and look forward to celebrating our achievements with them at the awards ceremony in September.”

MapAction SupporterNews

UK, 4 Aug – The latest edition of SupporterNews is out and can be downloaded here – SupporterNews.

As you will read, since the beginning of the year MapAction volunteers have deployed to emergencies in South Sudan, Paraguay, Serbia and Iraq, affecting the lives of millions of people.  We remain on standby to help wherever our skills are needed in the world.

MapAction volunteer Richard Hartley also tells us about his recent training mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather exactly 100 years earlier.

We also update you on how we’re scaling up our activities to achieve key targets for our ambitious new strategy. The support of people like you will be vital if we are to achieve our goal of doubling our operational capacity over the next five years. Please do help spread the word about MapAction’s work, so we can do more to help in more humanitarian emergencies.

Thank you, as always, for your much-valued support. We hope you enjoy reading this latest SupporterNews.

If you wish to find out about new deployments or other activities, please subscribe to our newsletter at www.mapaction.org/newsletter.

MapAction responds to Iraq crisis

Erbil, 30 Jun – MapAction has deployed two volunteers to Erbil in the Kurdistan region of Iraq to support the humanitarian response to widespread conflict across northern and central areas of the country.

MapAction’s volunteers are deploying in support of a United Nations’ team to help collate and disseminate key data about the crisis. In this complex and evolving situation, it is anticipated that the initial focus will be working with other organisations to develop, share and maintain data standards, so all humanitarian actors are using the same administrative boundaries and codes. The team will produce reference maps and templates to help support assessment and thematic mapping. It is also likely that MapAction’s 3W maps (“Who is doing What and Where?”) will play an important role in helping to coordinate the response.

Over the course of recent months, pockets of violence have escalated to widespread conflict across northern and central Iraq. According to UN reports, half a million people have fled Mosul and tens of thousands have fled the governorates of Diyala and Salah ad-Din.

Most internally displaced people (IDPs) have been forced to flee with few or no resources to sustain themselves in the long term. Initial UN assessments indicate that many are staying in the open and urgently need water, food, shelter and latrines. Humanitarian agencies are therefore prioritising the delivery of food, water, tents and other essential supplies for those affected.

MapAction’s Chief Executive, Liz Hughes, commented: “This is a very complex and volatile situation, which presents many significant challenges for humanitarian responders. MapAction’s volunteers will be working at the heart of the response to help coordinate the planning and delivery of emergency aid. Their efforts behind the scenes will help bring relief to thousands of people whose lives have been turned upside-down by this devastating conflict.”

Photo Credit: OCHA

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Building mapping capacity in DRC

Goma, 23 Jun – MapAction has recently completed a two-week training mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Two mapping professionals deployed to Goma in the east of the country, which has suffered from civil war, volcanic eruptions and the presence of rebel groups in recent years.  The team was based at UNICEF’s offices in the city, with the aim of building capacity for humanitarian mapping both within UNICEF and partner organisations. In addition, the mission aimed to review existing mapping and data management processes within UNICEF.

MapAction ran two separate training courses – an Introduction to Geographical Information Systems and Spatial Analysis. A total of 32 delegates from UNICEF and 11 partner organisations attended the training.

A final report containing recommendations to improve map production processes, data management and to promote the use of geographical information within decision-making has been provided to UNICEF.

MapAction deploys to floods in Paraguay

ASUNCION, 16 Jun – Two MapAction volunteers have deployed to Paraguay to support the coordination of relief efforts following extensive flooding.

Days of sustained heavy rains have caused the Paraguay and Parana rivers to swell, leading to widespread floods across three departments, including the capital, Asunción. According to reports from the United Nations, approximately 160,000 people have been affected. Rain is forecast to continue to several weeks, so there are concerns that the situation could deteriorate further.

MapAction’s volunteers will initially support the United Nations’ relief efforts from Asunción, but may subsequently travel to other affected areas.

This is the charity’s second deployment to Paraguay, following a response to flooding in 2012. Jonny Douch, MapAction’s Operations Director commented: “With the eyes of the world on Brazil for the World Cup, it is poignant to think that its neighbour is experiencing such devastating floods. Within hours of receiving the request from the United Nations, we had our team selected and operational equipment ready to deploy. I know our volunteer team are looking forward to contributing their mapping expertise to help get people’s lives back together as quickly as possible.”

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Photo Credit: ABC.py

MapAction deploys to Balkan floods

Belgrade, 19 May – MapAction has deployed a skilled volunteer to Belgrade to help coordinate the response in Serbia of widespread flooding in the Balkans.

The area has been affected by sustained rainfall, which has resulted in what are thought to be the worst floods in 120 years with four months of rainfall in just one day. Several people are known to have died but the fall extent will not be clear until the flood waters start to recede.

The situation has been further exacerbated by landslides and damage to roads and infrastructure. As of 17 May, more than 6,000 people have been evacuated, but it is estimated that over 50,000 people may have been affected, and 115,000 homes have been left without electricity.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated in response to the emergency. Member states have agreed to provide rescue boats and helicopters to support the evacuation of residents and the transportation of water, medicines and food. Operational staff and high capacity pumping equipment have also been deployed.

MapAction’s volunteer will be working in partnership with the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team from their coordination centre in Belgrade. The team will provide information to assess the extent of the flooding, affected population, infrastructure damage and humanitarian needs, vital to assist humanitarian providers in their response.

This is MapAction’s second emergency deployment to the Balkans, following a mission to Albania to help with flooding in 2010. The charity continues to monitor the situation in Bosnia, Croatia and other potentially affected parts of Europe, and is ready to send further assistance as required.

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[Image: Serbia floods c Elvis Barukcic  AFP Getty Images May 2014]

Building resilience in Palestine

West Bank, 17 Apr – MapAction has recently concluded a mission to the occupied Palestinian territory in partnership with the United Nations. The mission aimed to strengthen national and international planning for disasters or other crises in the territory.

The complex geopolitical situation in the region makes local communities particularly vulnerable to consequences of natural disasters, such as the severe flooding experienced last year.

MapAction’s volunteer spent two weeks working with the UN team in the West Bank and Gaza to research recommendations for contingency planning and long term institutional strengthening for disaster response. Their findings were presented to the Palestinian Authority and humanitarian agencies in the region at the end of the mission.

RideLondon 100 bike ride for MapAction

UK, 5 Feb – Be part of something amazing this August. You can test your cycling prowess with the best of them on the 100-mile route made famous by the London 2012 Olympic road race.

Lucy took part in the event last year: “The atmosphere on the day was electric. It was such an inspiring experience and wonderful to know I was raising money for such an important cause.”

Date: 10 August 2014

Location: The event starts in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and then follows a 100-mile route on closed roads through London and into the spectacular Surrey countryside

Registration fee: £50. This contributes to the cost of your place and your MapAction cycling top.

Minimum sponsorship: £500, but don’t worry – we will support you with fundraising help and advice.

Difficulty level: People of all abilities are welcome, but please be aware that the route involves some challenging hill climbs. Participants are expected to complete the 100-mile route within 9 hours.

What do you get for your money?

  • A branded MapAction cycling top
  • A dedicated point of contact to support you with your fundraising
  • A support team to help you on the day
  • Well-earned refreshments and a massage to welcome you at the end
  • The knowledge that your fundraising efforts will help deliver our emergency mapping service to some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world.

Please Note: All spaces have been filled.

MapAction deploys to South Sudan

Juba, 24 Jan – MapAction has deployed two mapping experts to South Sudan at the request of the United Nations.

Wide-spreading fighting has extended across the country, affecting hundreds of thousands of civilians.  The crisis is exacerbating what was already a challenging humanitarian situation, with 4.4 million people requiring humanitarian assistance prior to recent violence.

According to United Nations’ statistics, an estimated 413,000 people have been internally displaced as a result and over 74,000 more have fled to neighbouring countries (as of 14 January). Aid agencies believe that the number of internally displaced people could be much higher, as insecurity and logistical constraints have prevented relief workers from travelling outside towns.

New pockets of displacement are being reported daily, making it a very difficult environment for aid agencies to plan and implement their response.

MapAction’s mapping experts will be working in partnership with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and other humanitarian responders to help assess the humanitarian impact of the violence and aid priorities. In particular, they will create a common operational picture of the locations and needs of displaced people.

South Sudan Map Catalogue

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The SNAP team explains the aim of the project

UK, 23 Jan – Since December 2012, MapAction has been partnering with ACAPS (Assessment Capabilities Project) to assess the needs of affected communities and develop possible future scenarios, based on what we currently know.

The aim of this collaboration is to equip humanitarian responders and donors with accurate, timely information, so their response can be as targeted and effective as possible. Our collaborative effort is known as the Syria Needs Assessment Project or “SNAP”. You can find out more about this activity by watching this short video prepared by ACAPS.

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All the SNAP products can be found here – Syria Resources

OBE for former CEO

UK, 6 Jan – Nigel Woof has received an OBE in the New Years Honours List for Humanitarian Services as Chief Executive of MapAction.  Nigel joined MapAction, the Buckinghamshire based charity, as a volunteer in April 2003 and quickly showed special talents during early deployments to Sri Lanka for the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and the Pakistan earthquake in 2005. He became the Operations Director in 2007 and then Chief Executive in 2009.

Nigel has shown an exceptional understanding of relief needs in the immediate aftermath of a disaster and the initiative and ability to devise and produce a variety of maps to provide a “common operational picture” which plays a major part in coordinating the many UN and international organisations involved in the response.  His leadership and organisation has been a significant factor in the service delivered by the MapAction team.

Although he handed over his role as Chief Executive in January 2013 he remains a very active MapAction volunteer and has just returned from the Philippines where he, along with other MapAction volunteers, prepared information maps to assist the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team in the aftermath of one of the worst hurricanes ever to hit the Philippines.

Nigel’s immediate reaction:

“It’s exciting of course, but also humbling to be singled out. Really the award should be for the whole MapAction team, most of them volunteers and all amazing people, to recognise their joint endeavour in so many disasters over the past decade. I’ll also be raising a New Year’s glass to all the unsung heroes in humanitarian aid agencies we’ve worked with across the world, whose collective commitment never stops.”

MapAction concludes its mission to the Philippines

Philippines, 18 Dec – MapAction has concluded its final rotation of people to the Philippines to provide mapping support to the humanitarian response after six weeks and nearly two hundred mission days. Fifteen of MapAction’s volunteers generously gave their time to assist based initially in Manila and then in Tacloban, one of the worst affected areas. Unusually for MapAction, each team consisted of four to five people for the majority of the mission demonstrating the extent of need for mapped analysis.  MapAction provided detailed information to Region VIII (in which Tacloban is located) and in parallel, provided overview information to the humanitarian community.

Initially producing reference maps and situational analysis maps, and working on sharing data with other information management providers, MapAction introduced an automated three W mapping series building on the manual system previously used. These maps describe Who, What, Where of the humanitarian response for each sector in every district (seventeen districts and eleven sectors in total).  This series, the first of its kind for MapAction was updated twice a week generating several hundred maps a week. In addition maps for cash programming  (including the distribution of market assessments) and the demographics of the affected population have been produced indicating the move from the life saving and immediate relief distribution activities of the earliest stages of an emergency to the recovery and vulnerability targeting activities of the next stage of the response.  

MapAction is currently completing its monitoring and evaluation process and will undertake an internal lessons learned exercise with its team in January.  A report will be available on the website in February.

MapAction thanks the employers who willingly released their staff at very short notice to form the team of professional volunteers MapAction deployed to the Philippines humanitarian response.

There are benefits potentially both ways.  As one employer said,

“This has been probably the most motivating thing for my team all year. Just knowing that in a small way we were helping to get Darren there we felt part of it too. This year, we specifically worked at getting the work he does for Argyll manageable so that he could be deployed at short notice, plus Landmark HR really came through with offering time off.”

Jez Nicholson, Argyll Environmental

Without this support MapAction could not do what it does. We are grateful to: Argyll Environmental, Calesurvey, Environment Agency, EPA (Environmental Protection AgencyESRI UK, Exprodat, Harrow Council,  Landmark Information Group, Sinclair Knight Merz, Sustain, UwArc (Underwater Archaeology).

Reflections on Haiyan

Philippines, 16 Dec – An update from MapAction Operations Director, Jonny Douch who deployed early in the emergency.

On 7 November MapAction deployed to the Philippines, the day before Typhoon Haiyan struck. Although we all knew it was likely to affect vulnerable communities, none of us could have predicted the scale of the devastation that followed.

Photo right: Survivors of the storm arrive in Manila on a US military C130. Every plane out of Tacloban was full of people leaving the city

It soon emerged that the area that had borne the brunt of the typhoon was around Tacloban City. I headed there amongst the cargo in a US military plane to assess how and where MapAction could help most. I arrived in the dark.

Photo left: Jonny, Operations Director flying amongst the cargo in the first available flight to Tacloban

The scene that greeted me was like something out of a disaster movie. The terminal building had been smashed by a massive wave that had carried off everyone who was trying to get a flight out. All was dark confusion. The noise from the planes made it all but impossible to hear and phone calls virtually impossible.

As we headed into the city, the car headlights lit up a shattered landscape where the storm surge had swept through. Everything was still now. It was an eerie scene, with just a few lonely soldiers at the road blocks to wave us past. It was impossible to see how anybody could have survived here. Bodies were still being recovered from the debris; body bags lined the side of the road awaiting collection.

My first task in Tacloban was to set up MapAction’s base within the United Nations’ coordination centre, where responders would come for the latest information to coordinate relief efforts. It was particularly poignant to reflect on the fact that most of the local people we were working with had lost friends or family. Although you try not to think of these things while you’re there, when you get home you have time to reflect on the immense loss you have witnessed.

The number of organisations arriving was increasing every day, all hungry for the sort of information MapAction was there to provide. The demands on our team were extreme. By the end of this mission, we will have deployed 15 mapping experts, who will have together contributed over 30 weeks of work. We will have produced well over 1,000 different mapped products, which will have been distributed to thousands of responders via web and printed copies. These figures don’t include the efforts our non-deployed volunteers, who have provided unfaltering support throughout– many of whom have taken time off their day jobs to devote their full-time attention to supporting our field team.



1 and 2: United Nations’ On Site Operations and Coordination Centre, a tent inside a roofless building

3: The tents where MapAction set up home

4: Standing up: Inter-agency coordination meeting
5. A scene from the roadside


When I returned to Tacloban airport, two weeks had passed since the typhoon had struck. It was daylight. Although if anything the destruction was clearer by day, life was reclaiming the land again. Everywhere people were busy clearing up and bringing order to the chaos.

Photo above: the road to the airport

The airport was now functioning well, although it was a surreal experience to check in and go through security amidst the destruction. Passengers sat in a departure lounge with no wall and just umbrellas to protect from them the rain. We placed our hands over our ears to block out the noise from the military planes delivering aid.

The determination of the staff and passengers to make it work was a moving sight – surely a sign that although the people of the Philippines may never forget Typhoon Haiyan, their remarkable courage and resilience will help them recover from this terrible storm.


Photos above: Normal service resumes at Tacloban airport

Typhoon Haiyan update

Philippines, 9 Dec – MapAction has deployed its final rotation of 4 mapping experts to Tacloban, who will hand over to a United Nations OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) team on 18 December. By the end of this mission, MapAction will have deployed 15 staff and volunteers to help with the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan (known locally as Yolanda).

MapAction has had a team on the ground since before the storm struck, with the first team of two people arriving in the early hours of 8 November. Over the course of the mission, MapAction volunteers have produced a wide range of maps, including Who, What, Where maps i.e. maps which demonstrate which organisations are working where.

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Map Catalogue

Philippines Big Give Appeal

Philippines, 12 Nov – MapAction has launched a matched giving appeal to support our emergency efforts in the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. Every £1 you donate through the Big Give will be matched, thereby doubling the value of your donation (up to a limit of £1,000 per donor).

Typhoon Haiyan swept through the Philippines on 8 November. Its severity was unprecedented, with gusts of wind recorded at up to 235 mph. Official estimates are that more than 9.6 million people have been affected by the disaster. Many have lost loved ones and everything they own. They have no food, clean water, medicine or shelter. Bodies have been left in the fields and by the sides of roads, which add to the risk of disease. It is feared that some 10,000 people may have died in one province alone.

MapAction is working around the clock to help identify the needs of survivors, so they get the help they need as quickly as possible. We deployed a team of volunteers to the Philippines before the typhoon struck, so they could set to work as soon as it had passed. As the full scale of the emergency becomes apparent, we now need to deploy more skilled mapping experts to the region to help the millions of people affected.

Please give what you can today and make your donation go further through this fantastic matched giving opportunity. https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/projects/view/20847

Super typhoon Haiyan slams Philippines

Philippines, 8 Nov – A category 5 ‘super’ typhoon (Haiyan, known locally as Yolanda) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and is due to make landfall on the east of the country Friday 8th November.  Haiyan was assessed as having sustained wind speeds of 225kph with gusts of 250 kph near its centre and is travelling at a speed of 33kmh. Eastern Visayas, likely to be first impacted has a population of 4.1m. The storm is predicted to track across the country exiting the evening of November 8th on the west coast of the country.

The Philippine public authorities are making evacuation and prepositioning plans particularly for people in lowlying or mountainous areas where floods, landslides and storm surges are likely. An advanced UN Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team has been requested to assist the national authorities and will arrive the morning of 8th November. Two members of MapAction are deploying alongside and are en route today.

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Map Catalogue

(Photo: Reuters)

Interested in running for MapAction?

UK, 11 Nov – Interested in running the London Marathon for MapAction next April? MapAction is delighted to announce it has a limited number of places available for the London Marathon 2014.

We ask our runners to commit to raising at least £1,500 and pay a £100 registration fee to secure their place. In return, you will receive a branded MapAction running top and have access to our post-race reception room, where you can enjoy a well-earned massage and refreshments. We support our runners every step of the way with their training, fundraising and on the big day itself. We would love you to join the team.

Places are in high demand for this prestigious event, so if you’re interested in running for MapAction, please complete the following form – MapAction London Marathon 2014 – by Friday 22 November and we will get right back to you.

Following in the aftermath of Cyclone Phailin

India, 4 Nov – Cyclone Phailin made landfall in India on 12th October severally impacting the states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Rapid action by the Indian Government and State authorities to evacuate half a million people, meant that the number of mortalities was low. However 13 million people have been affected with an estimated 1.7 million severely affected. Houses and infrastructure have been destroyed and livelihoods interrupted. MapAction deployed a team of two from Scotland on Saturday 2nd November.

Alistair Wilkie and Felicity Cross will work with two consortia of International Non-Government organisations (including Christian Aid, Action Aid, Care, Save the Children, Oxfam and others), in support of the Indian authorities response to the disaster. The team will also support the wider humanitarian community as requested. They will travel to Odisha to meet with assessment teams including the Sphere India team. It is likely that a team rotation will be required given the scale of this emergency.

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Map Catalogue

Investing in Humanitarian Information

UK, 29 Oct – 2012 was a significant year for MapAction as it celebrated ten years of mapping expertise. The year’s annual review reflects on those ten years, the achievements of the organisation during them and the invaluable support the organisation has enjoyed from a wide range of donors throughout. The review also looks forward, anticipating the strategic opportunities for the future both for the organisation and for its supporters. We hope it will inspire current and future supporters to join us.

Download: MapAction Annual Review 2012

Prince Harry attends ambassador launch

UK, 30 Sep – Prince Harry, MapAction’s Royal Patron, attended a reception on Thursday evening (26th September) at the Royal Society, London. The launch of an ambassador programme was the main focus of the event to further engage long term support for MapAction’s future. The function also provided an opportunity to give recognition and thanks to existing donors committed to supporting the organisation’s work.

MapAction simulated a field operation and demonstrated the organisations’ role in a mock earthquake based on past deployments. Prince Harry congratulated the MapAction team of many volunteers on their achievement in deploying to over 40 emergency missions during the past 11 years, helping millions of people affected by disaster. Prince Harry said: ‘I was struck by their willingness to drop everything at a moment’s notice – despite the fact that I would do that in my job – and step into the heart of a crisis no matter where it is in the world, leaving loved ones behind.’ He added: ‘These are extraordinary people in this extraordinary organisation and I am proud to be Patron.’

Liz Hughes, MapAction’s Chief Executive said: ‘ Prince Harry’s patronage of MapAction is a highly valuable contribution for an organisation of our size. Unique events such as this reception offer the perfect opportunity to attract new donors and it also allows us to express our thanks to all those involved with helping reach people in their time of urgent need. We are especially grateful for Prince Harry’s interest in meeting our donors who are an enormous part of enabling the service we provide.’

For further information on our ambassador programme please contact Mim or Chloe on 01494 568899 or email: fundraising@mapaction.org.

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Flash Flooding support in Sudan

Sudan, 18 Sep – Heavy rain and flash floods in several areas of Sudan have affected up to 530,000 people. Between 15,000 and 18,000 houses have been destroyed, with Khartoum being the most-affected state.

Nationwide flooding affected 270,000 last year. This year’s floods are being considered the worst since the historical marker of the 1988 floods. Darfur appears to be less impacted than initially thought but there are conflicting reports.

MapAction has been asked by the OCHA Sudan office to assist with mapping and information management support for the humanitarian response.  A two person team was dispatched on the 18th September to assist. Liz Hughes said, ‘ these types of emergencies do not always hit the international headlines but they are just as capable of wreaking havoc and causing great levels of suffering to large numbers of the population. Accurate spatial analysis of the disaster, timely information and situation maps are crucial to helping the humanitarian community assist people when they need it.’

Deploying to Uttarakhand, India

India, 29 Jul – Over the past month, serious flooding in Uttarakhand state in Northern India has left over 3,000 dead, 11,000 missing and 100,000 people evacuated from homes to escape flooding and landslides. Described as the heaviest in 80 years, the mountainous region and ongoing nature of the flooding makes access a challenge.  Save the Children India requested assistance from MapAction . A team was deployed to Delhi on Saturday 27th July and will travel to Dehra Dun, capital of the state on Monday. The team will work with Save the Children India on logistical and monitoring requirements, and coordinate with other organisations such as SEEDS and the Digital Humanitarian Network to ensure data is shared as widely as possible.

(Photo: Hindustan Times)

Success at MapAction Hackathon

UK, 30 May – The MapAction Hackathon with AGI (Association for Geographic Information) was held on Saturday 27th April at Astun Technology offices in Epsom, Surrey. 40 people attended and worked on a series of data and visualisation topics to help MapAction in the field. The winning idea for the day was the “Dirty Data Dashboard”. This is a tool to help MapAction prepare data for scenario exercises, a key component of making sure the team is prepared for a real disaster when it happens. 

The event couldn’t have gone ahead without the enthusiasm of the participants who brought their knowledge of data, programming, GIS and visualisation from their day jobs to help MapAction. Technical Project Leader Andy Smith commented “We’ve already made progress with implementing some of the ideas and we’ve passed on the ideas for the population movement arrows to our volunteers. The Dirty Data Dashboard got its first real test at our annual disaster scenario training exercise.”

MapAction would like to thank Astun Technology who supplied their offices, lots of tea coffee and refreshments and cup cakes! MapAction are hoping to hold similar events to this in the future. If you are interested in joining the AGI as a member please visit the AGI website for more information. Please keep an eye on the MapAction website for more details and register here for alerts.

MapAction follows MAHASEN – UPDATE

Myanmar, 23 May – Tropical Cyclone Mahasen made landfall on Thursday northwest of Chittagong, Bangladesh.  Although there was less damage than anticipated due to reduced wind speeds, Bangladesh experienced coastal flooding and damage to shelters. Myanmar largely escaped the storm’s impact. MapAction’s team deployed with the UNDAC team to Sittwe, Rakhine state to better assess the situation, due to concerns for large numbers of displaced people settled in flood plains and their potential vulnerability.

However there was less need for disaster response during this mission and the team has therefore focused on assessing the current Information Management and mapping/GIS capacity in Rakhine state. As part of this, the team have met with a variety of agencies to assess how well prepared these agencies are for future disaster response  in relation to information management capacity. An initial dataset has been developed by the team through the data scramble at the outset of the deployment and since being in country, from talking with agencies. This will provide the foundation for any future disaster response mapping capacity.

Having completed this task, the MapAction team will return to the UK at the weekend.  It is hoped that a follow up visit to take forward the recommendations for capacity building and data preparedness might be undertaken in the future.

Myanmar, 16 May

MapAction has deployed a team of two volunteers in support of a UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination mission in Myanmar to assess the impact of a tropical storm due to make landfall early Friday morning. Tropical Storm Mahasen is moving across the Indian Ocean towards Bangladesh and Myanmar. The cyclone appears to have weakened during its trajectory but remains a category 1 cyclone.

The highest impact is anticipated in Chittagong and Coz’s Bazaar area of Bangladesh although depending on its final trajectory could impact 8.2m people in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. There are serious concerns for displaced people (around 115,000-140,000 people) living on flood plains in Rakhine State Myanmar, likely to experience flooding and high winds, even if the storm’s epicentre is in Bangladesh. The Government of Myanmar has activated the first level of a three level evacuation plan, identifying locations to move people to safer and higher ground.

The full impact of the storm and subsequent flooding will not be known for several days. However the early deployment of the UNDAC team with MapAction and Télécoms Sans Frontière means close cooperation can be established at the earliest stage with the Government authorities leading the response, and with the humanitarian agencies prepositioning relief supplies including, medical supplies, tents and food, in support. In 2008 MapAction deployed a team to Myanmar in response to Cyclone Nargis, a devastating cyclone that claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused widespread damage to the Ayerarwady Delta area and parts of Yangon.

(Photos: Cyclone Nargis, 2008)

Meet our volunteer…Hamish Pritchard

UK, 9 May – Hamish Pritchard has been a MapAction Volunteer since 2006.With a Master’s in ‘remote sensing’ Hamish works fulltime for the British Antarctic Survey undertaking seasons in Antarctica and working from Cambridge for the rest of the time. Hamish underwent a rigorous assessment process before being accepted as a MapAction volunteer. This was followed by training in the organisation’s approach, services and procedures as well as in technical geographical information systems (GIS) training some of which was new to Hamish. Security and first aid training is also a core element of preparation for deployment.

Volunteers are expected to be self-supporting, capable of setting up the MapAction ‘office’ anywhere under any conditions and able to deliver high quality mapping and information services when under stress. Here Hamish talks about his experience with MapAction and reflects on his Haiti 2010 deployment.

“I first heard about MapAction at around the time it started, from a friend at college. It sounded like it could be an interesting use of my skills, so I was keen to find out more. The more I found out, the more I liked the sound of the organisation and its work. MapAction presented an opportunity to be ‘hands on’, making a real difference in crisis situations.

“My initial training was a steep but enjoyable learning curve, and training is on going. What is exciting about MapAction is that groups of MapAction volunteers develop new mapping techniques and software programmes which add value to what we can offer in the field and share with other organisations.

“In a typical year I give up one weekend or one full day every other month, which adds up to at least 18 days of training every year in addition to the time which might be spent on deployment.

“The alert about the high magnitude Haiti earthquake came through at about 10pm. It appeared on my mobile phone as a text alert labelled ‘active’, which meant that MapAction had already decided to send a team. I replied to say I was available. When I checked my phone again in the early hours there was a message to say that I was on the team and we would be deployed that day.

“It was a rush to get packed and sorted, and to clear two weeks’ leave with work.  I got a taxi direct to Gatwick where I met the other team members, who’d picked up the equipment we needed from MapAction HQ in Buckinghamshire. On the plane, chartered by the UK Government’s Department for International Development,  (DFID), the atmosphere was charged.

“The situation in Haiti touched people all over the world. Many large public buildings such as universities, schools, hotels and shops had collapsed. The civil ‘heart’ of the city had been literally ripped out. Many people were trapped under rubble and injured or dying. It was going to be a huge challenge to help people. “On arrival, we joined the UN Disaster Assessment and Co-ordination team (UNDAC). Our task was to provide crucial mapping to assist their work. The UN assigned different teams to different areas, so our first task was to create a map marking out sectors of the city. We then created smaller maps for individual search and rescue teams. Street signs and many landmarks were destroyed, so we gave them GPS co-ordinates instead.

“Some people who were trapped had phoned and texted relatives and friends, sometimes abroad. The UN set up a website where people could contact the rescuers. When we had reliable information backed by GPS co-ordinates, we could pass this to nearby search and rescue teams.

“During my deployment we were in a camp at the airport. The work was pressured and unrelenting. We slept on camp beds and lived on military rations. There were showers, but to be honest that was not the priority. We were there for one reason – to help to save lives.

“When we handed over to the next MapAction team, we were exhausted. The whole experience had been so intense, the adrenaline was constantly going – but ultimately it was rewarding. I felt that I had done something important.”



MapAction receives a £3,160 donation from CSR

UK, 9 May – Last year, CSR’s UK employees voted MapAction their “Charity of the Year” for 2012. This year, despite not taking the majority of votes required to retain this title, CSR’s Social Responsibility committee decided to make a special donation to MapAction – an amount totalling £3,160 based on a “runner-up” donation of £2,500 plus £10 for each of the 66 employee votes cast.

Presenting a cheque for £3,160 to MapAction volunteer Nick McWilliam [pictured left] outside CSR’s Churchill House headquarters in Cambridge last week, Will Gardiner [centre], Chief Financial Officer of CSR said, “Once again CSR is pleased to support the humanitarian services provided by MapAction – aid that saves many lives. This unique charity works in disaster zones providing frequently updated situation maps showing where relief help is most urgently needed.” CSR engineer Azadeh Ebrahimi [right] represented the company’s Social Responsibility committee.

Since 2002, MapAction volunteers have responded to 39 humanitarian emergencies worldwide, including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis. Recently returned home to Cambridge from deployment supporting the Syria response, Nick McWilliam has been with MapAction since it started 10 years ago. Nick has previously been deployed to emergencies in Japan, South Sudan, Niger, and Pakistan.

Commenting on CSR’s gesture, Liz Hughes, Chief Executive at MapAction said, “MapAction volunteers are on standby 24/7 to respond to any humanitarian emergency anywhere in the world.  It is wonderful to have the support from CSR for a second year. It goes a long way in ensuring we can be deployment ready. MapAction supports humanitarian partners in saving lives and minimising suffering when a disaster strikes. Through our relationship CSR employees are also helping reach men, women and children in urgent need.”

MapAction launches Syria Appeal

UK, 1 Feb – MapAction is appealing to its supporters to make a donation to enable the charity to continue its commitment to help those affected by the Syria crisis. Since December 2012, MapAction has had six volunteers working in the region to help to map the needs of affected communities and coordinate humanitarian efforts. The resulting situational analysis has contributed to securing pledges for more than $1.5 billion at a recent conference of international donors in Kuwait. Before Wednesday’s conference, donors had given only nine per cent of the amount sought.

Valerie Amos, the UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, highlighted at the conference the latest figures on the affected population in northern Syria, referring directly to the evidence from the J-RANS inter-agency rapid assessment in northern Syria, to which MapAction was a key contributor. Our mapped information helped to provide evidence that the numbers in need in the north alone may be as high as 3.2m, a significant increase on previous estimates which was less than this for the whole country. Valerie Amos commented: “Up to three million people are having trouble getting food. Bakeries have been destroyed or cannot get fuel, so bread is in short supply. Cereal, fruit and vegetable production has dropped by half in some areas.

Twenty-five per cent of schools are no longer in use because they have been destroyed or have been turned into communal shelters. Thousands of children are unable to go to school.

The needs are huge. The UN estimates that four million people need urgent humanitarian assistance, including two million who have fled their homes and are now living without the most basic services: without clean water, sanitation facilities and electricity.

Alongside the situational analysis of affected communities in the north, MapAction has also had volunteers working from Beirut on the Syria Needs Analysis Project (SNAP) in partnership with the Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS). Its mapped information is providing valuable, independent analysis of the overall humanitarian situation, within Syria and neighbouring countries.

MapAction has already committed to deploying further volunteers to the region to assist with the ongoing coordination of humanitarian efforts. The charity anticipates its involvement will continue for many months to come, which will stretch its limited resources and has led to this appeal for funding.

It costs approximately £4,500 to deploy a team of two skilled volunteers to the region for a two-week period, including flights, accommodation and subsistence. As demonstrated at the recent international donor conference, the impact of their work makes an important contribution to key decisions about the delivery of humanitarian aid. Please give what you can.

The Syria Crisis Appeal will be directly channelled into MapAction’s humanitarian mapping service for the Syria Crisis. In the unlikely event that the charity raises more money than can be reasonably spent, any surplus funds will be channelled into the charity’s Rapid Response Fund – a designated fund that supports the direct costs of deploying skilled volunteers to humanitarian emergencies anywhere in the world.

MapAction responds to humanitarian crisis in CAR

Copyright: EC/ECHO/Imanol BerakoetxeaYaounde, 22 Jan – MapAction has deployed two volunteers to Yaounde, Cameroon, at the request of UNICEF to support with the response to the ongoing violence and insecurity in the Central African Republic (CAR).

Since 10 December 2012, a coalition of rebel groups in CAR (the “Seleka” coalition) has taken control of a number of towns across the country, stopping just short of the capital, Bangui. The on-going insecurity is taking a toll on close to 1.5 million people (some 33% of the total population of CAR), comprising approximately 800,000 people who reside in rebel-controlled zones and 700,000 in Bangui.

Rebels took over key mining areas in the country, destroyed hundreds of homes, and displaced thousands of civilians. Reports have claimed that the rebels have forcibly recruited children to fight and serve as porters and sex slaves.

A peace agreement was signed between the CAR government and rebel groups on 11 January, however, tens of thousands of people are thought to have stayed away from their homes due to ongoing insecurity. Many shops, markets and schools remain closed, with some medical clinics running out of supplies.

CAR is a landlocked nation, bordered by Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. MapAction’s volunteers will initially be based in neighbouring Cameroon.

MapAction has worked in several other countries of west Africa in the recent past, including response to the post-election violence in the Ivory Coast in 2011, and supporting conflict resolution programmes in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2012.

The Big Give Christmas Challenge – Update

UK, 12 Dec – MapAction would like to thank all its supporters for contributing to the Big Give Christmas Challenge this December. So far £8,531 has been raised for its Rapid Response Fund, which will be channelled into its emergency mapping service.

Matched funds will remain available until 19 December (subject to availability), so it’s not too late to take part. If you would like to make a contribution, please visit http://new.thebiggive.org.uk/project/mapaction. Every £1 donated could be worth £2.25 with matched giving and Gift Aid. Thank you.

Volunteers deploy ahead of Typhoon Pablo

MANILA, 3 Dec – A team of two MapAction volunteers has deployed to the Philippines in readiness for Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) which is heading straight towards the country from the western Pacific. The deployment arose from a request from the United Nations’ Disaster Assessment and Coordination team. Recent reports indicate the typhoon is producing sustained winds of 114 mph and gusts of up to 124 mph. According to Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the typhoon is expected to make landfall over Surigao del Norte on Tuesday morning and affect Mindanao, Visayas, areas in Southern Tagalog and Metro Manila.

There are concerns that this could result in floods and landslides amongst communities that are still recovering from the devastating impact of Tropical Storm Sendong, which hit northern Mindanao in December of last year and led to a MapAction deployment. Some responders believe that Pablo could develop into a super-typhoon and cause even more destruction than Sendong, which killed more than 1,250 people and displaced nearly three quarters of a million.

Nigel Woof, MapAction’s Chief Executive commented: “It’s unusual for MapAction to deploy a team before the disaster has actually hit, but this means we will be on the scene and ready to help as soon as the storm passes through. We got the call for assistance from the UN on Saturday and were able to have our team in the air by Sunday evening. One volunteer arrived in Manila this morning from Bangkok, where she is based. Another is flying from the UK and will arrive later today. They will initially work from Manila to help map the needs of communities, but may travel to affected regions once the size and shape of the impact is clearer.”

This is MapAction’s third emergency mission to the Philippines. In addition to its deployment a year ago for Sendong, the charity also assisted after severe storms in 2009. As before, MapAction will work closely with the Filipino national disaster management agency, United Nations and other responders to help coordinate whatever response is needed to Typhoon Pablo.

Follow link for Philippines map catalogue

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Boosting disaster resilience in 2012

UK, 29 Nov – Here at MapAction, we know from our own experience in more than thirty humanitarian crises that disaster preparedness can save lives. Beyond our six emergency deployments so far in 2012, we have also made seven capacity-building trips worldwide and delivered training on another 15 short courses and modules.

We know that when a disaster strikes, responders need immediate access to the best available map data. Alongside this, national disaster management agencies need to be able to produce situation maps that help to steer aid in the vital early stages of a new emergency. With that aim, MapAction has been working in vulnerable countries in sub-Saharan Africa, in collaboration with the Southern Africa Development Community and the United Nations in the region, to train national staff in the use of free and open-source GIS tools, involving work in Kenya and Zambia. A staff member also took part in a national disaster preparedness capacity assessment in Nigeria.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a two-stage pilot project has been completed with partners of the international NGO CAFOD. The project aims to provide appropriate low- or no-cost tools for local NGOs to map the indicators of re-emergent conflict, and to use that data for the prevention of conflict and to advocate for change. One of CAFOD’s partners commented on our initial scoping exercise:“MapAction were very patient […] and got partners to spend half a day learning to use Google Earth, it was very empowering. We had a discussion which identified the key target audience and then what the best mapping applications would be – we now have a clearer plan.”

We also provided training for disaster responders in Dominica, and are planning a trip to transfer advanced GIS skills to UN humanitarian information management professionals in the central Asian region in December.

“Helping to grow capacity for disaster and conflict resilience is something we’re well equipped to do. We can draw on our own direct experience in disaster response to help partners use the growing toolkit of free GIS software, and to prepare their data resources. So they can be ready for the day they hope won’t come, but which so often does in vulnerable parts of the world.” Nigel Woof, MapAction Chief Executive.

Almost all our capacity-building and training work is funded out of our core resources, rather than receiving special grants. If you are interested in supporting MapAction’s disaster preparedness work, please contact us via email or call Chloe on 01494 56 88 99.

London Marathon 2013

UK, 7 Nov – MapAction has been lucky enough to secure guaranteed places in the Virgin London Marathon for next April. You can find out more about what it means to join Team MapAction and register your interest at – www.mapaction.org/marathon.

Places are limited, so please register by Monday 19 November to be in with a chance of joining Team MapAction!

Fundraise for Free

UK, 17 Oct – You can raise money for MapAction at no cost to yourself. Give As You Live is a clever little widget that raises money for MapAction while you shop online. Big brands including Amazon, John Lewis, M&S, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and play.com have signed up to donate when you buy from their online stores.

So with only 68 shopping days until Christmas, why not sign up today and start fundraising for free?

It’s really quick and easy to set up. All you need do is register some very basic information and you’re off! Each time you visit a Give As You Live retailer, just click on the GAYL logo and you’ll be raising money for MapAction through your everyday purchases.

Register for your GAYL account at: www.giveasyoulive.com/join/mapaction and start fundraising for free today!

Taking stock of progress

UK, 12 Oct – MapAction has just received an independent evaluation report in its work. The review was done as part of the charity’s commitments under the DFID Programme Partnership Agreement (PPA), in which MapAction receives strategic funding.

The headline findings of the review were that: MapAction is being effective in making it easier for aid agencies to make evidence-based operational and coordination decisions; that its work is judged to be conducted effectively and efficiently; and that the charity delivers value-for-money both through its volunteer capacity and its cost conscious ethos.

The independent evaluators interviewed external partners and service users and also MapAction’s own volunteers and staff. There was a high correlation between views of the organisation from outside and inside. The consultants described the feedback from users as “incredibly positive”.

Although no serious shortcomings were identified, the consultants highlighted several areas that MapAction needs to keep under review to ensure sustainability of impact. This includes its capacity building work – which began as a way to use volunteer resources in between major emergency response missions. The charity concurred with the consultants that it is important to ensure that delivery of training in GIS methods to partner agencies in developing countries ‘sticks’ and contributes to long term capacity enhancement for disaster risk reduction.

Humanitarian organisations appear to be demanding ‘more MapAction’ in a number of areas: to extend its deployments in major emergencies, to deliver more capacity building support and to accelerate its work in putting relevant new geospatial technologies into the hands of aid workers in the field. At the same time, the challenges of funding this capacity came through in the report: the charity’s total annual budget is currently less than £450,000 ($675,000) per year.

MapAction’s chief executive Nigel Woof said: “It’s gratifying that the review endorsed our overall approach and that users in the humanitarian sector value our services so highly. The review findings point towards the ‘multiplier effect’ that we have on the impact efficiency of emergency aid. The consultants felt we should be shouting this from the rooftops to attract the resources we need to extend our reach.”

The Independent Progress Review executive summary and management response can be accessed here – MapAction IPR 2012 Final Exec Summary and Management Response.

Date for your diary: 10 January 2013

UK, 25 Sep – MapAction is delighted to announce that it will be benefiting from a gala dinner and auction organised by the London Mapping Festival and sponsored by Esri UK. The event will take place in the prestigious East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf, on the evening of Thursday 10 January 2013. Tickets are on sale for a very reasonable £90, with all profits supporting MapAction’s humanitarian mapping service. You can find out more and buy tickets at London Mapping Festival Charity Dinner. We look forward to seeing you there!

MapAction carrying the torch

UK,26 Jul – Prince Harry has invited MapAction to fly the flag for volunteering in the Olympic Torch Relay as it passes Buckingham Palace today, the day before the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Wai-Ming Lee, an active MapAction volunteer, has been given the honour of carrying the Olympic torch as it passes Buckingham Palace, where it will be viewed by Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Wai-Ming first joined the charity in 2004 and deployed to such humanitarian emergencies as the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and Pakistan floods of 2010. When he’s not flying out to disaster zones, he helps the charity develop its technical capabilities, so its operations are as streamlined and effective as possible.

Wai-Ming says: “I am incredibly proud to carry the Olympic torch for MapAction. In doing so, I am representing the tireless work of some 60 volunteers who contribute their mapping skills, so that lives can be saved in humanitarian emergencies.”

Persistent flooding in Paraguay triggers deployment

ASUNCION, 2 Jul – A MapAction team is attached to a United Nations’ assistance group en route to western Paraguay, in response to widespread and repeated flooding.

The worst floods for more than a decade began in April. They have left thousands of families in scattered rural communities in urgent need of emergency food and other help after the floods devastated crops and livestock.

A complication of the emergency is that the affected communities are spread across two rural departments with a combined area somewhat larger than England and Wales. Many villages have remained cut off by road for weeks, requiring aid to be flown in by helicopter.

On 29 June MapAction received a request from the UN to support a group travelling to Paraguay to assist the government and international agencies in coordinating assistance.

Although MapAction has undertaken many missions in central America and the Caribbean, this is the charity’s first deployment to South America since severe flooding hit Bolivia in 2008. Chief executive Nigel Woof said: “This is typical of many very nasty natural disasters that don’t hit the global news channels, yet still leave poor and vulnerable people in real need. Creating a comprehensive picture of these needs is essential to make sure every community gets the right help. Once again our volunteers have answered the call to action.”

[Picture:http://www.pulsamerica.co.uk/]

Teaming up with the Digital Humanitarians

UK, 27 Jun – MapAction is playing an important role in harnessing the skills and resourcefulness of high-tech volunteer communities to meet urgent information needs in disaster situations.

In recent crises, like the 2010 Haiti earthquake, talented and committed members of online technology communities have stepped up to gather, process and share crucial information resources to help aid agencies on the ground. Volunteer communities like the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, and more recently formed groups like DataKind, are adept at exploiting online technologies and crowdsourcing methods to turn new sources of raw data into useful intelligence that can help aid response on the ground.

For example, blending analysis of satellite imagery with mobile phone traffic data may offers ways to detect movement of displaced people across a disaster zone.

These potent and agile resources must however be focused the priority information needs of aid agencies and other responders, otherwise there is a risk of merely contributing to ‘data noise’. This issue was recognised after Haiti and the volunteer communities have now responded by establishing a ‘network of networks’ with the aim of focusing the response of the ‘ecosystem’ of online groups onto the most urgent information needs during each new emergency.

The result is the Digital Humanitarian Network (http://digitalhumanitarians.com/). The network is gearing up to provide a tasking linkage between formal humanitarian organisations and the online technology communities. At the heart of the new structure is a coordinators group.Initially this comprises four individuals who will quickly review requests for help and work with the network to find the right member entities to respond as a solution team. One of the four coordinators is Jonny Douch, operations director of MapAction. The other three are from the United Nations, CrisisMappers and GISCorps.

Jonny Douch of MapAction said: “We are hoping this new system will help to unlock the potential of techology expertise world wide to contribute to positive humanitarian outcomes in disasters. MapAction’s own teams, who work in the field, will play a vital role in the network by being a bridge between the innovative communities in the ‘cloud and crowd’, and the emergency responders on the front line.”

Mapping support for CAFOD in DRC

GOMA, 7 Jun – MapAction has deployed two mapping experts to support CAFOD’s conflict-related work in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country has been ripped apart by ongoing conflict since 1998 and there has been an upsurge in violence in eastern provinces since the beginning of the year. It is estimated that 5.4 million have lost their lives as a result of the fighting – mostly from preventable diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea and malnutrition. Communities have been torn apart, homes burnt to the ground and thousands of women have been subjected to sexual violence. MapAction is working in partnership with CAFOD’s local partners to map conflict triggers, so steps can be taken to predict and pre-empt future outbreaks of violence.

Responding to floods in Comoros

MORONI, 30 Apr – Torrential rain has been battering the Comoros Islands in the Indian Ocean since 20 April, causing heavy flooding and landslides. A State of Emergency has been called.

MapAction has deployed a team of two volunteers to map the needs of over 46,000 people affected. Reports indicate that more than 11,000 people have “lost everything” and at least 9,200 are without shelter.

Civil protection official Ismael Mouigni Daho said the situation on the islands was “dramatic”. Some villages are completely flooded, causing the populations to evacuate entirely. In other areas, schools have been cut off and water and electricity supplies have been disrupted. There are increasing concerns about the spread of diseases, including cholera and malaria, making healthcare and hygiene priorities for the response.

More than half the population of the Comoros Islands live under the poverty line, surviving on less than a dollar a day. People are largely reliant on subsistence farming, so the impact of these floods is a long-term concern for food security.

Humanitarian efforts have thus far been hampered by roads being rendered inaccessible by flooding and landslides. Responders have therefore identified mapped information to be critical in helping to assess where humanitarian aid is needed and how it can best be delivered in the prevailing conditions.

This is MapAction’s first mission to the Comoros Islands, however, the charity recently deployed to neighbouring Madagascar in February to help with the humanitarian response to a series of killer storms.

Marathon runners reach over £25,000

UK, 25 Apr – On Sunday 22 April six lovely people took part in the London Marathon in aid of MapAction. We’d like to say a HUGE thank you to…

  • Christopher and Sarah Egerton-Warburton 
  • Chris Holcroft 
  • Ian Holt 
  • John Lyon 
  • Naomi Morris

for raising over £25,000 for our emergency mapping service. Thank you also to everyone who lined the streets to cheer them on.

Chris Holcroft, one of our runners, commented:

“Doing the 2012 London Marathon was a life enriching experience that was full of fun, emotion, hardship and achievement. It gave our team of six runners a chance to make a vital contribution to MapAction, a unique charity that uses geographic information to save and improve the lives of those affected in humanitarian crises and natural disasters. It demanded a heck of a lot from us, but at the same time MapAction supported us and helped us very well at every stage of the process. I would certainly do it again.”

If you’re interested in running the London Marathon for MapAction in 2013, please contact Chloe Browitt – 01494 56 88 99.

10 years of disaster mapping bike ride

UK, 4 Apr – MapAction invites you to join our Chiltern Challenge bike ride between 6-8 July 2012. We’re looking for fun and friendly people to cycle 170 miles around the beautiful Chiltern countryside. The aim is to enjoy yourself, meet lovely new people and raise lots of money for MapAction’s emergency mapping service.

We’re calling it a “challenge” not because we’ll push you to within an inch of your life (you cycle at your own pace), but because we’re challenging participants to contribute to an overall fundraising target of £10,000 in celebration of MapAction’s 10 years of disaster mapping.

So if you’re looking for a fun and worthwhile way to enjoy the British countryside this summer, look no further than www.mapaction.org/bike.

Responding to Brazzaville explosion

BRAZZAVILLE, 12 Mar – Following devastating explosions in a munitions depot in the Congolese capital on 4 March, MapAction has deployed a team of two volunteers to help map the needs of those affected. 

Reports indicate that at least 223 people have died in the blasts and a further 2,300 were injured. Approximately 14,000 people have been left homeless, making the provision of shelter, clean water and sanitation a priority. Hygiene is a particular concern as the Republic of Congo typically experiences heavy rainfall and high temperatures at this time of year, making displaced people more vulnerable to outbreaks of disease.

MapAction is deploying at the request of the UN’s Disaster Assessment and Coordination team. It is anticipated that our volunteers will help to coordinate aid efforts, such as mapping the location and needs of blast victims.

This is MapAction’s first mission to the Republic of Congo, our eleventh to sub-Saharan Africa. It is running concurrently with another emergency deployment, helping with the impact of tropical storms on local populations in Madagascar.

Second storm hits Madagascar

ANTANANARIVO, 9 Mar – Madagascar has been hit by its second killer storm of the season. Tropical Storm Irina caused 65 deaths, most of them residents of the Ifanadiana district in the southeast of the island, and affected more than 70,000 people in all. Most casualties have been caused by landslides and flooding, following heavy rainfall.

In February Tropical Storm Giovanna also hit the island, claiming the lives of 35 people, injuring 284 and leaving a further 250,000 people affected by its impact.

MapAction is deploying a team of volunteers at the request of the Madagascar Government’s National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management, to boost the agency’s own GIS capability which is working at full stretch responding to the two large-scale events, with more rains forecast.

MapAction’s Operations Director Jonathan Douch said: “Although Madagascar has good capacity to coordinate disaster response, they have been hit hard by storms this year and asked for our help with their coordinated response across several disaster zones.”

This is MapAction’s first mission to Madagascar, however the charity has responded in the past to nine crises across sub-Saharan Africa, including the current food crisis in the Sahel region.

(Photo: Madagascar Tribune)

MapAction selected for humanitarian response

UK, 7 Mar – The UK Government has selected the disaster mapping charity MapAction as a standby partner for its new Rapid Response Facility (RRF) mechanism. The scheme means that MapAction will be called on as part of the first wave of humanitarian assistance in major disasters and other crises.

The UK Government’s Humanitarian Response Review, conducted last year by Lord Ashdown, highlighted the need for rapid reaction to new or escalating crises world-wide. The Department for International Development (DFID) has selected a small group of aid charities that it can call on within 72 hours of a disaster, through fast-tracked funding decisions based on ‘pre-qualified’ credentials.

The UK’s Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell, endorsed the selection of MapAction as an RRF member, remarking positively on the charity’s technical capacity, track record of results and value for money.

MapAction’s chief executive Nigel Woof commented:”Although we’re a small charity, DFID’s decision endorses our role as a vital first-mover in the international disaster response system. When big disasters happen we need immediate funding decisions to allow us to get feet on the ground in hours, to start creating a shared picture of humanitarian needs. The RRF partner system promises to be extremely helpful in this.”

The charity is already a strategic partner of DFID, having been selected last year for a three-year Programme Partnership Agreement (PPA) funding scheme. Nevertheless, the charity still relies heavily on public and corporate donations for the balance of its funding, for example to provide training and technical equipment for its team of volunteer emergency mappers.

Sahel preparedness mapping with UNICEF

DAKAR, 9 Feb – A severe food crisis is forecast to strike the Sahel region of West Africa later in 2012, potentially affecting 7 to 10 million people in eight countries (Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon). Low rainfall, poor harvests and high food prices are making communities vulnerable to extreme malnutrition. The number of children dying from nutrition-related causes is already estimated at more than 490,000 per year.

MapAction has deployed a team of two volunteers to undertake a mapping preparedness project from the UNICEF regional office in Dakar, Senegal. The team will work with UNICEF information management staff to do preparatory map setup and initial vulnerability maps, with a focus on food security and nutrition.

This is MapAction’s third deployment to the Sahel region. In 2005, our volunteers helped map priority needs in a food crisis in Niger and in 2009 we responded to floods in Burkina Faso.

Targeting emergency aid in Philippines

CAGAYAN DE ORO, 2 Jan – Cyclone Washi/Sendong in late 2011 caused more than 1,250 deaths and displaced more nearly three quarters of a million people in the southern Philippines. The mounting scale of response by the end of December led to a request for support from MapAction.

A team of MapAction’s emergency mapping volunteers has been tasked to work alongside United Nations disaster coordination teams from an operations centre in Cagayan de Oro, in the heart of the worst-hit region on the north side of the island of Mindanao.

Many people are still in evacuation centres, unable to return to their devastated communities. The international Humanitarian Cluster system is supporting the Government’s response by conducting a series of detailed needs assessments. MapAction will map these needs, highlighting the highest priorities and enabling aid agencies to achieve the best use of their resources to reach people lacking essentials such as proper sanitation.

This is MapAction’s second mission to the Philippines. In 2009 a severe storm in the north of the country saw a MapAction team deployed in response. There, as in the current emergency, MapAction volunteers worked closely with both international aid organisations and the country’s own national disaster management agency.

(Photo: Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan)

Info for disaster-affected communities

UK, 5 Dec – MapAction is collaborating in a project with infoasaid to map the media and telecoms landscapes of 22 developing countries vulnerable to humanitarian crises to enhance humanitarian response.

infoasaid is a consortium of Internews and the BBC World Service Trust. Their objective is to improve how aid agencies communicate with disaster-affected communities – the focus is on providing humanitarian information. The emphasis is on the need to deliver information, as aid itself, through the most appropriate channels.

The aim of the project is to produce a series of tools, including country-specific media and telecommunications guides, to help humanitarian agencies communicate effectively with crisis-affected communities. Each country guide identifies local media organizations, telecommunication companies and other media service providers that can help to produce and disseminate radio shows, TV programs, SMS messages, poster campaigns or public service announcements to communicate with local communities in a timely, accurate and well-targeted manner.

In virtue of this collaboration, MapAction is literally putting much of this information onto maps to enhance humanitarian response. The maps, which will be accessible both on- and off-line, are produced by collating technical data from radio stations and feeding it into a mapping system developed by infoasaid. This innovative humanitarian tool, to be launched in early 2012, will display the geolocation of local media outlets and provide available contact information for each.

At the same time, MapAction, as part of its standard humanitarian response, will strengthen its capacity to produce maps that help relief agencies communicate better with affected communities post disaster. The recent volunteer training focused on communicating with affected communities was attended by the Director of Humanitarian Media and the Head of Innovation and Technology from Internews, representing infoasaid. A simulation exercise looked into the importance of effective two-way communications with disaster affected populations and a series of maps to improve communication with affected populations based on the infoasaid media and telecommunication landscapes were devised.

From that training, three maps of the media and telecommunication landscape of Côte d’Ivoire were produced: one that overlays the presence of radio stations onto a map of the location of populations from different language families; one that shows all the radio and TV masts in relation to major language groups; and one representing the mobile phone coverage of a major telecommunication provider.

Better data and information on the impact of disasters and the needs of affected communities is a key element in ensuring the best possible response. However, aid responders very often do not know enough about local media and telecommunication landscapes pre-disaster, which could help them identify which outlets post-disaster might still be functioning and could be best used to reach affected populations. This is a gap in disaster preparedness and response that the infoasaid/MapAction collaboration aims to fill.

This collaboration between MapAction and infoasaid is part of the overall strategy of the infoasaid project that seeks to strengthen the capacity and preparedness of aid agencies to respond to the information and communication needs of disaster affected populations.

Nicaragua floods mission

MANAGUA, 20 Oct – Responding to severe flooding in central America, a MapAction team is deploying to Nicaragua today.

Torrential rain from Tropical Depression 12-E has caused extensive flooding across Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. Damage to roads and infrastructure from landslides has left many communities cut off from help.

A United Nations disaster assessment team was mobilised on Wednesday 19 October to assist in Nicaragua, where the government declared a state of emergency after more than 130,000 people were reported as affected. A MapAction team was requested to support the UN mission.

MapAction volunteers James Steel and Adia Bey flew out from the UK on Thursday morning to Managua, to rendezvous with the UN team. They took with them extensive GIS data for the region, assembled overnight from a wide range of sources by other MapAction team members through the charity’s well rehearsed ‘data scramble’ procedures. Meanwhile, mission equipment was prepared at MapAction’s new operations centre in Saunderton in Buckinghamshire, UK.

James Steel has deployed on numerous humanitarian missions with MapAction, including to Haiti, Pakistan, South East Asia and most recently to North Africa in March. For Adia Bey it is her first emergency mission since she joined the charity as a volunteer early this year. She recently took part in a UN disaster response training course in Peru.

James Steel commented: “The MapAction team has completed the preparation for this mission with their usual speed and efficiency. Two hours after the ‘go’ decision yesterday evening a briefing about the available map data, a list of the mission kit that will be waiting for us at Heathrow airport, and a full security risk assessment had all been forwarded to my blackberry! Great teamwork”.

Maps will be published on the Nicaragua deployment page.

ACAPS and MapAction to collaborate

UK, 19 Sep – MapAction has signed a cooperation agreement with the Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS) to strengthen both organisations’ humanitarian programmes.

ACAPS is a consortium project of the NGOs HelpAge International, Merlin and Norwegian Refugee Council. It aims to improve the assessment of needs in disasters and other humanitarian emergencies. It delivers a range of services including methods training, and deploys specialist personnel in protracted and sudden-onset crises.

One of ACAPS’ outputs is its Secondary Data Review (SDR) concept. These reports analyse existing assessment and baseline information to produce actionable humanitarian intelligence focused on key operational issues. Maps are a vital part of SDR publications, and MapAction will in future deliver required maps whenever required for new or updated SDRs. The first of these is the Yemen SDR, issued in September 2011.

MapAction and ACAPS will also seek opportunities to undertake joint training and field missions.

MapAction’s chief executive Nigel Woof said: “Much of the information that passes through our field mapping units comes from humanitarian assessments. The assessment methodology practised by ACAPS has real rigour and focuses on crucial questions that aid agencies need to answer.” 

The ACAPS website is at www.acaps.org

Show your support: wear the shirt

UK, 25 Aug – A range of MapAction clothing and gift items is now available to supporters of the charity.

MapAction has partnered with Spreadshirt.com, a leading online retailer of quality clothing. The MapAction online shop has a carefully chosen range of items inspired by the charity’s work in disasters and based on the field gear worn by its volunteers and staff in humanitarian crises around the world.

Items can be delivered almost anywhere in the world, using Spreadshirt’s sophisticated order processing ‘back office’. For every item sold, MapAction receives an average commission of 15% which goes directly to funding the charity’s emergency mapping service.

Darren Connaghan, one of MapAction’s operational volunteers, said: “We only get issued the blue shirts for field work, so I’m a bit envious that our supporters will get to wear a whole spectrum of colours to put the MapAction name out there. And Christmas isn’t that far away.”

The online shop is at www.mapaction.spreadshirt.co.uk.

Field guide expanded and updated

UK, 23 Aug – MapAction’s popular Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping, first published in 2009, has just been updated and expanded.

The second edition of the Guide contains 35% more content than the first edition. In response to requests from users there is a completely new chapter on data collection with step-by-step instructions on accessing many free map data and satellite imagery sources available for various parts of the world.

The new edition continues the principle of helping aid organisations on limited budgets to find and use free and open-source software. This year’s Guide contains an in-depth manual for the use of the Quantum GIS open source software suite, which in MapAction’s experience is now reliable and well supported. As before, the Guide also contains many tips and techniques for using Google Earth.

The Guide’s principal author Naomi Morris is one of MapAction’s experienced volunteers and has used a wide range of GIS techniques and tools in challenging field environments including Haiti, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea. She said of the new edition: “We got great feedback from users of the first edition. It helped us to make the new Guide even more relevant and useful for aid workers who need practical solutions that work in the field, and who don’t want to waste time reinventing the wheel.”

Because the publishing costs have been covered by a generous grant from the Dulverton Trust, the new Guide is available as a free PDF download –  Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping (13mb). A printed version in handy A5 wire-bound format will shortly available to purchase via the online bookshop of the RGS-IBG website page for £16 including postage and packing.

Download here – Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping – hi res (13mb).

A low res version is available here – Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping – low res (4.2mb)



October humanitarian mapping course

UK, 23 Aug – The next Introduction to Humanitarian Mapping course is to be run in London on 5-7 October 2011.

The 3 day introduction to humanitarian mapping course is designed for humanitarian and development field workers and others who want to use GPS and free/open source mapping tools in their work. The syllabus is based on the newly released second edition of MapAction’s Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping and is grounded in practical, proven methods used by MapAction in disaster emergencies and development projects. It will include advanced use of Google Earth, how to find useful map data, and using the open source Quantum GIS software package.

The venue and facilities for both courses are being provided by the UK Royal Geographical Society, which is an experienced provider of training on fieldwork methods and which MapAction has partnered for the last two mapping courses.

Full details about the course and how to book a place can be found on the following RGS-IBG website page.

Boosting disaster preparedness in Southern Africa

BOTSWANA, 27 May – MapAction used a regional intergovernmental meeting as a means to kick off an initiative to enhance disaster readiness in southern Africa.

Spatial data is invariably a critical requirement for effective disaster response, but gathering datasets from scratch when a disaster is under way is never ideal, as data can be incomplete, old and not available at appropriate scales. Addressing preparedness of data can make a real difference in being able to produce required maps and information products for the crucial first stages of response. MapAction has become pro-active in addressing data preparedness, working with partner organisations. Following a pilot project in Nepal in 2010 (Disaster preparedness in Nepal ), and ongoing activities in the Caribbean islands (Caribbean kick-off for disaster preparedness), a new project, called Zambezi Emergency Basemapping and Risk Assessment (ZEBRA), has been conceived by MapAction to enhance emergency preparedness in southern Africa.

The ZEBRA project covers the Zambezi Basin (including parts of Angola, Botswana, DR Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe) which is especially prone to long term droughts and recurring flood events.

MapAction is partnering with the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Regional Office for Southern and Eastern Africa. The organisations jointly identified a draft Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategy developed by the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) as an ideal starting point for practical action on data readiness. SADC convened a planning meeting and workshop for national disaster management agencies (NMDAs), UN organisations, Red Cross, and NGOs in Gaborone, Botswana in late May. Alan Mills and Helen Campbell attended for MapAction to develop a coherent project plan. The meeting showed how building a collaborative network of data providers and information management structures, with the national disaster agencies at the centre, has the potential to produce long term solutions to both identifying good data and to updating it regularly.

ZEBRA project manager Alan Mills said: “This meeting has given MapAction a solid foundation for building the right links with both disaster management and GIS practitioners in southern Africa. In partnership with OCHA, and with the ratification of SADC and its member nations, we can now start the detailed work of identifying and assembling those datasets that will improve our ability to help people caught up in natural disasters throughout the region.”

Historic cycle route for MapAction supporters

UK, 14 May – Twenty MapAction volunteers, friends and supporters are cycling between the Paris and Greenwich Meridians to raise funds for the charity.

The group will leave Paris on 24 June heading west along the route of the Seine before turning north to Dieppe to catch the ferry to Newhaven. Then the route will closely follow the Greenwich Meridian northwards through the fine scenery of the Kent and Sussex Weald before arriving at the beautiful Greenwich Observatory for a celebration.

The Paris Meridian dates from 1634 and was in competition with the Greenwich Meridian until 1884 when Greenwich won at an international conference – although to this day some French cartographers continue to use the Paris Meridian.The competition between the Meridians was highlighted in Jules Verne’s ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’.

One of the cyclists, Matthew Sims, said: “We’re mappers so we thought the idea of celebrating the two meridians would be nice. But really the aim is to raise as much money as we can for MapAction to help the victims of disasters all around the world. We’d love as many people as can to sponsor us. Every pound will help.”

Sponsors can sign up with a few clicks at Virgin Money Giving, and UK taxpayers’ donations will have Gift Aid added. Visit: MapAction Midsummer Meridian.

MapAction deploys to Cote d’Ivoire

Picture: ReutersCOTE D’IVOIRE, 11 Apr – Two MapAction team members are en route to Bouake in central Cote d’Ivoire. They are deploying in support of a UN assessment team tasked with obtaining a clear picture of humanitarian needs in the conflict-torn country.

The call to support the United Nations mission came after reported further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis that have been triggered by sustained and intense fighting in the main city Abidjan, and politically motivated violence in other parts of the country.

The UN and MapAction team are travelling via Accra in Ghana and then on to Bouake where a humanitarian coordination hub is being established. MapAction’s chief executive Nigel Woof, who is one of the team of two deploying, said: “More than three quarters of a million people are reportedly displaced so far. Many people attempting to flee, into the west particularly, are in need of protection from human rights violations, as well as has having other basic needs – food, clean water and medical care. We will help to build a clearer view of where these people are now, and are moving to, so that vital aid can reach them.”

This is MapAction’s third emergency mission this year so far, having completed deployments in North Africa and Japan in March.

Up to date situational maps can be found in the Cote d’Ivoire Map Catalogue and further resources in Cote d’Ivoire Resources.

Picture: REUTERS

MapAction sends team to Japanese disaster

TOKYO, 14 Mar – MapAction has responded to a request to help in response to the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan.

A request was received via the United Nations for a MapAction team to travel to Tokyo. A UN disaster support team has just flown out to assist the Japanese Government in coordinating international assistance. The MapAction team will provide mapping and information support for the international response effort.

MapAction’s Operations Director, Jonathan Douch, said: “Although the Japanese Government is one of the best prepared in the world for disasters, the scale of this emergency means they will be fully stretched in coordinating their national response. International relief agencies also need up-to-the-minute information on the scene, which is why our help has been asked for.”

The devastating impact of the tsunami is a poignant reminder for MapAction of its first natural disaster mission, in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Current maps will be published in the Japan Map Catalogue and additional resources at Japan Resources.

MapAction responds to Libya crisis

Picture: Reuters/Suhaib SalemLIBYA, 3 Mar – Two MapAction teams are deploying to assist with the humanitarian crisis in Libya. One team is flying to Tunisia, another to Egypt.

MapAction’s partner the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) requested MapAction’s help on the afternoon of 2 March. The first team mobilised the same evening, for a 6am flight to Tunis. A second team meanwhile packed to fly to Cairo later the same day.

Getting the right aid to people across and beyond the Libyan territories poses a huge challenge of humanitarian intelligence gathering, planning and logistics for the international aid agencies gearing up within the region. Both the MapAction teams will gather and communicate vital information about the rapidly changing humanitarian picture within Libya and at its borders, where more than 150,000 people have already crossed into neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt.

The team leader of the Tunis team, Alan Mills, said: “This looks like one of the most complex humanitarian challenges for MapAction so far. We’re expecting to be at full stretch from the time we land, to track and map the actionable information that aid agencies will need to help people caught up in the emergency.”

Last year, MapAction volunteers deployed to the massive humanitarian crises in Haiti and Pakistan, as well as other emergencies around the world.

Picture: Reuters/Suhaib Salem

New GPS and mapping courses

UK, 22 Feb – Following the success of the inaugural Introduction to Humanitarian Mapping course in London last October, MapAction is pleased to announce the dates of two further courses.

The 3 day introduction to humanitarian mapping course will run in London on 4-6 April 2011. It is designed for humanitarian and development field workers and others who want to use GPS and free/open source mapping tools in their work. The syllabus is grounded in practical, proven methods used by MapAction in disaster emergencies and development projects. It will include advanced use of Google Earth, how to find useful map data, and using the open source Quantum GIS software package.

The new 1 day GPS and data collection for humanitarians course will cover the essential skills in using a GPS and data collection in the field.

The venue and facilities for both courses are being provided by the UK Royal Geographical Society, which is an experienced provider of training on fieldwork methods.

Full details about the course and how to book a place can be found on the following RGS-IBG website page.

Caribbean kick-off for disaster preparedness

GUYANA, 8 Feb – MapAction has started a project to improve data preparedness for disasters in several parts of the world, beginning in the Caribbean region.

Recognising the need for immediate access to map/spatial data from the first hours of rapid-onset disasters, MapAction is using its volunteer resources and partnerships to boost data availability in vulnerable zones. In the Caribbean region, subject to multiple hazards as shown so tragically in Haiti in 2010, MapAction is teaming up with GISCorps to collate available data of highest importance in emergency response. The initiative is known as the Wide Availability for Response Project (WARP).

MapAction volunteer Vijay Datadin explained: “In Haiti last year basic mapping was essential for the rescue response for instance to locate reports of trapped victims. Yet the map data we knew existed was destroyed when the earthquake struck. We’re now aiming to put copies of key data for vulnerable countries in the region into a state of readiness, and will be working closely with national disaster management authorities.”

The WARP process has already been piloted successfully by MapAction in Nepal, in late 2010. The charity is also in discussion with its UN partners who have suggested it would be of high value in countries in Asia Pacific, and in the Zambezi basin region of southern Africa.

Volunteers sought for 2011

altLITTLE MISSENDEN, 11 Nov – MapAction is seeking emergency mapping volunteers to expand its capacity. The charity has commenced selection of a small group of GIS experts to join its main UK-based volunteer group in early 2011.

A hand-picked and thoroughly trained volunteer group is the backbone of MapAction’s unique capability to respond immediately to disasters anywhere in the world. Team members commit to making themselves available to deploy at short notice in emergencies. Continuation training is ongoing throughout service with the charity and involves monthly face-to-face weekend workshops – for that reason volunteers must be UK based.

Volunteers, although unpaid, are all highly skilled with geographical information systems (GIS) generally. A prerequisite for selection is being practised with the ESRI ArcGIS software that is MapAction’s main tool in the field.

MapAction’s chief executive Nigel Woof said: “The requirements are obviously strict, given what we do in the field, but still we get many applicants and selection is always very competitive. We assess technical abilities, team working skills and commitment to availability for deployment and ongoing training.”

Information about specific requirements and how to apply is on the Volunteers page of the charity’s website www.mapaction.org. The closing date for applications is 15 December 2010.

Hurricane Tomas response

altSAINT LUCIA, 4 Nov – MapAction is responding to a request for help in the aftermath of Hurricane Tomas in the Caribbean. Volunteer emergency mapper Kirsty Ferris flew out to Saint Lucia today, less than 24 hours after the government requested MapAction’s assistance with their disaster response operation.

Saint Lucia was the worst affected island as Tomas crashed through the Lesser Antilles chain. Fifteen people died as the hurricane caused devastation right across the island. Landslides have blocked many roads, cutting off many settlements including the town of Soufriere. Agriculture has been devastated, threatening rural livelihoods. A national disaster was declared as work has begun to bring humanitarian relief and commence recovery.

MapAction’s chief executive Nigel Woof said: “Tomas has dealt a severe blow to Saint Lucia. We’re pleased to be able to provide mapping support at the request of the National Emergency Management Organisation, which is moving quickly to get access to cut-off towns and villages and is commencing a comprehensive damage and needs assessment.”

MapAction expects to utilise its volunteer team based in the Caribbean region to support its emergency mapping work in the wake of Hurricane Tomas. The charity has established relationships with a number of states in the region, including Saint Lucia, achieved through previous disaster response missions and international training projects.

Kili challenge to MapAction supporters

TANZANIA, 20 Oct – A challenge has been laid down to people who want to help MapAction in its vital work. The charity is inviting supporters to climb Africa’s highest peak and the highest freestanding mountain in the world, Kilimanjaro.

Other challenge events benefiting MapAction in 2011 will include a London to Paris cycle ride and trekking through the High Atlas of Morocco.

The charity’s chief executive Nigel Woof said: “We know many of our supporters share MapAction’s own spirit of adventure. To those who want to make a real difference to our work, we invite you to raise funds by climbing Kili for MapAction in 2011, or tackling another of our challenge events. Whilst helping us in our mission, you’ll also be broadening your own horizons – literally!”

MapAction has teamed up with the world’s most experienced operator of fundraising treks and challenges. This is aimed at ensuring that the challenge events are well organised and guided, with an emphasis on ensuring participants complete the trip safely. Costs and commitments are transparent and participants can ensure that MapAction will receive the maximum benefit from their efforts before, during and after the trip.

For more information email info@mapaction.org.

Disaster preparedness in Nepal

KATHMANDU, 5 Oct – MapAction volunteers have been working to ensure the immediate availability of spatial data if disaster strikes the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal.

The Kathmandu Valley is highly vulnerable to earthquakes that tend to occur every 75 years or so – the last being in 1934. Fast urban expansion means that 1.7 million people are now potentially at risk. MapAction studied lessons from the Haiti earthquake in January this year where rapid situation mapping was constrained by the non-availability of base map data: which had existed but was lost beneath collapsed government buildings. A MapAction team was tasked with ensuring that this scenario cannot recur in any similar disaster in Nepal.

Alan Mills and Liesbeth Renders, both experienced volunteers with MapAction, visited Kathmandu in September and worked closely with United Nations and Nepal Government contacts to identify and review available map data sources.

At the end of the trip the team took with them more than eight gigabytes of map data copies that will be crucial in responding to a future emergency in Nepal. By holding copies of this data outside the country, a ‘worst case’ contingency can be covered.

MapAction’s Alan Mills said: “Knowing where vital data is held isn’t always enough in an emergency. Immediate access is vital to produce maps that can be used within hours by search and rescue teams after a catastrophic disaster.”

From a cartographer’s perspective, Nepal presents some interesting challenges. Several different geodetic datums and projection systems are in use. To ensure that satellite imagery can be combined accurately with other data if needed, Alan and Liesbeth surveyed a number of ground georeference points using GPS.

Using the experience gained, MapAction hopes to be able to do similar work to strengthen disaster preparedness in other potential urban disaster hotspots.

Pakistan Floods

(c)Reuters Adrees LatifPAKISTAN, 10 Aug – A MapAction team is flying out from the UK in response to the floods that are affecting much of Pakistan.

MapAction has been on standby for several days waiting for appropriate clearances to travel to Pakistan. Two MapAction volunteers are now on their way as part of a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team.

As flooding spreads southwards from the initial impact in the north-west, practically every province in Pakistan is either affected or forecast to be soon. At time of deployment, approaching 14 million people are suffering from the effects of the worst monsoon rains in 80 years. With such massive humanitarian needs for food, clean water, emergency healthcare and other resources, across a huge area of the country, good analysis of geographical priorities becomes essential for the most effective aid response.

This is the fourth time that MapAction team members have deployed to Pakistan since the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. Last year, a team worked alongside UN and other agencies responding to the humanitarian consequences of the counter-insurgency conflict in the north-west, the same area that is the focus of the current flood crisis.

Further details on the deployment and current maps will be published on the Pakistan Floods deployment page. A list of some of the resources that have been used for this emergency can be found here – Pakistan Resources

All maps can also be found at – Pakistan Response – where maps for this emergency will continue to be published.

Mapping essentials course

UK, 22 June – MapAction is running a 3-day introduction to humanitarian mapping course in London on 11-13 October 2010.

The course is designed for humanitarian and development field workers and others who want to use GPS and free/open source mapping tools in their work. The syllabus is grounded in practical, proven methods used by MapAction in disaster emergencies and development projects. It will include advanced use of Google Earth, how to find useful map data, and using the open source MapWindow software package.

The venue and facilities are being provided by the UK Royal Geographical Society, which is an experienced provider of training on fieldwork methods.

Jonathan Douch, MapAction’s operations director, said: “Aid workers have told us they need this kind of practical training. We know from experience what methods work in the field, and we’ll be drawing on real life humanitarian and development scenarios throughout the three day course.”

Full details about the course and how to book a place can be found on the following RGS-IBG website page.

Award for MapAction

UK, 8 June – Michael Palin, in his role as President of the UK’s Royal Geographical Society, presented MapAction with an award at a ceremony in London on 7 June 2010. The Geographical Award was conferred on the charity for its work in disasters since 2004. 

Since 1832, the prestigious RGS medals and awards have recognised excellence in geographical research and fieldwork. Dr Rita Gardner CBE, Director of the Society, said: ‘Our award recipients illustrate the breadth of geography and its importance in understanding our world’s changing societies, environments and economies. MapAction’s use of GIS technology is a great example of the role geography can play in providing invaluable emergency relief and disaster preparedness to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.’

A team of four MapAction trustees and volunteers accepted the award from Michael Palin CBE, whose television and film-making output has focused increasingly on geography topics, and who became President of the RGS in 2009 having been a Fellow of the Society since 1978. The Chairnan of MapAction’s board of trustees, Andrew Douglas-Bate MBE, said: ‘This award is a fantastic recognition of the team effort that is MapAction, we’re honoured and delighted to accept it.’

Haiti work continues

HAITI, 22 April – MapAction has been continually deployed in Haiti for more than three months since the earthquake in January.

Following on from MapAction’s vital role in the intensive search-and-rescue and relief assessment phases, the charity’s services have remained in demand from partner organisations including the United Nations and International Red Cross during the delivery of ongoing relief assistance to more than one million people left homeless by the earthquake.

Two MapAction team members Emese Csete and Helen Wood are currently (April 2010) working with the Emergency Shelter and Camp Coordination and Management Clusters in Port-au-Prince. Their work still includes mapping but also involves wider aspects of information management, in an effort to maintain a shared picture of needs and response plans so that hundreds of aid organisations can coordinate their actions.

Volunteer Chris Phillips has just returned from a second stint in Haiti, this time for five weeks. He has been instrumental in securing facilities for the Haitian national mapping agency CNIGS to integrate its efforts with international humanitarian agencies, to be ready for continuing natural disaster risks.

Chris Phillips said: “Although there’s some early planning for recovery, we have to stay aware that hundreds of thousands of Haitians living in temporary camps are highly vulnerable as the rainy season approaches, and worse still the risk of tropical storms. There are only a few weeks to make sure that preparedness for another disaster shock is as good as it can be. And that includes preparedness of mapping data and GIS resources.”

Chris also facilitated a visit to Haiti by two members of OpenStreetMap (OSM) who trained Haitian and international staff in how to collect and work with OSM data. The map data of Haiti produced rapidly by the OSM community worldwide, within days of the earthquake, were used by MapAction as vital base mapping from the first stages of the crisis and remain an important resource.

Funding for MapAction’s work in Haiti was granted by European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO). Chris Phillips was made available for the mission by his employer Ordnance Survey, the UK national mapping agency, which also provides sponsorship funding to MapAction.

Pakistan landslide dam alert

PAKISTAN, 6 April – MapAction has been helping to alleviate risks of a potential flood catastrophe in mountainous northern Pakistan.

The charity was approached by NGO leaders in Pakistan seeking assistance with risk and emergency planning mapping in the Hunza district where a mountain landslide earlier this year dammed the Hunza River creating a lake. Rising water levels are now threatening to breach the dam, putting 45,000 people at risk from an outburst flood.

MapAction found that UK flood researchers at Durham and Newcastle universities, led by Professor David Petley, had been studying the situation, and that there was now an urgent need to map the potential at-risk areas downstream and to form a basis for evacuation planning. At the same time, as a member of the EU-funded SAFER project, MapAction was able to request specialist assistance through Infoterra UK and its partners.

Within a few days, the University researchers and the SAFER team had run state-of-the-art computer models to indicate the possible extent of a “worst case” flood. Using data about the shape of the valleys, the volume of water and the speed of its movement, the result was a series of detailed datasets showing areas potentially at risk. MapAction volunteers helped to map and interpret the data, working with staff of Focus Humanitarian Assistance Pakistan, an NGO which is taking a lead in relief and risk mitigation work in the region.

MapAction team member Nick McWilliam commented: “Predicting floods in such complex terrain is an uncertain and difficult science. MapAction was able to tap the expertise of some of the world’s leading experts, connecting their results to beneficiaries on the ground. It’s a good example of research techniques being rapidly applied to create maps for a very pressing humanitarian crisis.”

Arc2Earth supports MapAction in Haiti

HAITI, 6 April – Three months after Haiti’s devastating earthquake, the humanitarian relief effort is gearing itself up for the oncoming rainy season.

Having deployed a large team of volunteers immediately after the earthquake, MapAction is still continuing to support the ongoing humanitarian situation by providing mapping and information management support within specific clusters. One of the key issues for Haitians remains that of shelter; many people are still without adequate waterproof shelter, and are living in areas which are at risk of flooding as the weather worsens. MapAction is helping the Shelter Cluster to consolidate and present information from its many partners, to aid in the identification of gaps and overlaps in provision.

Google Earth has proved itself to be a valuable tool for the dissemination of large data sets covering a wide geographic area. In order to support MapAction’s activities, Arc2Earth have donated licences for its software, an add-in for ArcGIS which facilitates the export of GIS data layers into a Google Earth format. It supports a very rich representation of multiple layers of information, and allows it to be packaged into one file for easy distribution. The Shelter Cluster are using this tool to package together a range of key geographical datasets for its cluster partners, allowing them to have a better overview of the activities of other agencies.

Tenth mission of 2009 for MapAction

EL SALVADOR, 12 November – MapAction’s tenth field mission of 2009 has started in El Salvador, in response to flooding and landslides there. (Picture: Reuters/Luis Galdamez, courtesy www.alertnet.org)

The deployment is in response to a request for mapping and information management support for a UN OCHA disaster assessment and coordination mission. Severe seasonal rains and the passage of Hurricane Ida across central America caused flash floods and mudslides across a large area of El Salvador. There have been scores of deaths and thousands made homeless.

As a MapAction team flew out to emergency, the charity noted the deployment as its tenth field mission so far in 2009. The mission tally has included five flooding emergencies across Africa and Asia, the Sumatra earthquake, and humanitarian crises in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Teams have also undertaken disaster risk reduction projects in Papua New Guinea and Kenya, and a further project is scheduled in Niger in December.

The charity’s chief executive Nigel Woof said: “We’ve never been this busy. Our field mapping service has been in demand time and again this year. It continues to be a real stretch but our volunteers are just fantastic.”

Responding to Haiti quake

HAITI, 13 January – Since deploying on the morning after the 12 January earthquake, MapAction volunteers and staff remain active on the ground.

Four team members played a pivotal role in coordinating the work of more than fifty international search and rescue teams in Port-au-Prince and in other devastated towns. As well as creating and issuing vital maps to sectorise the affected area, the team provided GPS coordinates and directions for hundreds of reported locations of victims; some instigated through mobile phone SMS messages from trapped individuals themselves.

Following the transition to the relief phase of the emergency, MapAction provided start-up staffing for the UN Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC) in Port-au-Prince. In total, eleven of the charity’s volunteers deployed to Haiti, in several waves from the charity’s UK and Caribbean regional teams. Two team members have in fact returned to Haiti after a break of only a few days, to work in support of UN OCHA and the Emergency Shelter Cluster.

This has been the most intensive and arduous mission in MapAction’s experience. During the first weeks team members in the field had to get by with only short snatches of sleep. Temperatures in the working tents topped 40 degrees and clouds of dust clogged printers. Despite this, dozens of reference and situation map products were generated and thousands of copies issued in the field to relief organisations.

This is MapAction’s second mission to Haiti: in September 2008 the NGO deployed a team there in response to a string of tropical storms that struck the north of the country. MapAction is now planning reconstruction support to the country’s national mapping agency that lost most of its staff and all of its facilities in this year’s’earthquake.

For further up to date deployment details including new maps and diary entries follow the link to the Haiti Earthquake Deployment Page.

MapAction deploying to Sumatra

Sumatra, October 1 – Following two earthquakes of 7.6 and 6.9 near the city of Padang on the Indonesian Island of Sumatra on Wednesday 30 September 2009. Four MapAction volunteers are deploying following a request from UNOCHA. Three team members deployed from the UK, with one of the team members  redeploying from the Manila, Philippines following the aftermath of Typhoon Ketsana. This is MapAction’s seventh emergency mission of the year. Up to date maps will be posted to at – Sumatra Earthquake, September 2009.

GIS award for MapAction’s work

USA, 20 July – MapAction was presented with the Humanitarian GIS Award by ESRI in San Diego in July.

The award was received by Andrew Douglas-Bate, MapAction’s Chairman, from Jack Dangermond, President of ESRI Inc. The presentation took place in front of some 12,000 people at ESRI’s International User Conference, on 11 July 2009 in San Diego, California.

Jack Dangermond praised the work of MapAction volunteers who use GIS for good in challenging and sometimes dangerous environments.

ESRI Inc is the world’s largest GIS software and services company. It supports MapAction by providing free licences and support for its powerful software, for MapAction volunteers to use in the field during natural disasters and other humanitarian crises.

 

Pakistan mission continues despite bombing

PAKISTAN, 12 June – A MapAction team member in Pakistan  had a lucky escape on the 9th June when she was caught in the terrorist attack on the Pearl Continental hotel in Peshawar.

Anne Frankland was in the city for one night, training United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) personnel on data collection methods for use in the current emergency in North West Frontier Province.

Anne had just gone to bed when the blast shattered the windows of her room and blew down the door. She survived with only minor injuries but five humanitarian agency staff died in the blast.

She said about the event: “The air was full of dust, it was hard to see. The building was rumbling and I thought it was going to collapse. Afterwards, our WFP colleagues really looked after me and the Pakistani people have been very warm, caring and concerned.”

Anne returned to Islamabad where she is continuing her MapAction mission in support of the Logistics Cluster. Two other MapAction team members are also deployed in Pakistan, where more than 2 million people have been affected by conflict between the government and insurgent groups in the north-west of the country.

Anne is an experienced member of MapAction and it is her second time in Pakistan, having deployed there in 2005 following the Kashmir earthquake disaster.

MapAction’s Operations Director Nigel Woof said: “This appaling attack slaughtered both Pakistani and international humanitarian staff who are working to help people in desperate need. We’re obviously deeply relieved that our team member escaped relatively unscathed but our thoughts are also with those who have lost colleagues and family.”

New GIS field guide

field_guide_cover_110x110UK, 10 June – MapAction has published the first edition of its Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping. The guide, which is downloadable free, will help aid organisations to use geospatial tools and methods in their work in emergencies. There are tutorials for Google Earth and open-source GIS software. Click here to access the guide.

Lively debate on disaster mapping

MapAction and Alertnet jointly ran an event that examined the future on mapping in the aid world, on 4 June. The seminar was held at the Thomson Reuters headquarters in London and attracted representatives from international NGO’s, UN agencies and other humanitarian organisations.

The event, entitled ‘Mapping for Communications Planning and Advocacy’ was filmed and can be accessed online via the following page: A clash of cultures between aid work and mapping?

Nick McWilliam of MapAction, who chaired the discussion, remarked: “You can’t respond to a disaster without first asking a lot of questions about ‘where’.”

The problem of making a ‘business case’ for investment in mapping resources was debated at the seminar. The question of who will pay for new technologies — and the data, much of which remains proprietary — is not yet clear.

The morning plenary sessions were followed by workshops on several technical subjects, including using Google Earth, and how to find map data sources for aid projects.

Picture: REUTERS/Daniel Munoz

Fresh funding for MapAction

UK, 15 May – The UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) has announced a substantial two-year funding grant for MapAction. The grant totals £291,000 and follows on from a previous grant under DFID’s Conflict and Humanitarian Fund.

MapAction’s Director David Spackman commented: “This is excellent news for the charity as it provides essential financial security for our emergency mapping service, in an otherwise tough financial climate. In fact, the grant will cover an expansion of our work, which is in growing demand by our beneficiary organisations. DFID is a hard-nosed funder and their confidence in us is therefore doubly gratifying.”

The grant covers a substantial proportion of MapAction’s core costs until March 2011. However, the charity’s fundraising efforts from other sources will be accelerated to enable additional humanitarian work to be done. Plans include the expansion of MapAction’s programme of assistance to help organisations in developing countries to use GIS and related methods to reduce disaster risks.

Other MapAction donors encompass a range of grant-making trusts, corporate donors and individuals. One of the most important ‘hidden’ sources of support is the charity’s volunteer group, pivoting on thirty or so committed GIS and other professionals who give their time free of charge to deliver the emergency mapping service in response to humanitarian emergencies around the world.

Reducing disaster risks in PNG

png_map_110x110PAPUA NEW GUINEA, January 28 – MapAction is supporting disaster risk reduction in Papua New Guinea by providing funding and expertise for a three-month project starting in March 2009. The project, in partnership with the country’s National Disasters Centre, NGOs and other agencies, is delivering training in GIS and community-level vulnerability mapping methods. (Picture: Google Earth)

Severe flooding hits Fiji

fiji_floods_2009Serious flooding claimed 11 lives and made thousands homeless in Fiji in January 2009. MapAction volunteer Helen Wood was working temporarily in Fiji when the disaster struck. She immediately began to help with collecting field data on the flood extent. This will be used to predict future floods and so to reduce communities' vulnerabilities. 

MapAction captured on film

During real emergencies there is little opportunity to capture a record of MapAction’s work. However in 2008 a MapAction team ‘deployed’ to Norway and Sweden to take part in the world’s largest international disaster response exercise, Triplex 08. A short film showing MapAction’s work on the exercise, and how it relates to their real-world disaster response operations was produced.

The Triplex exercise is held every two years and involves more than 200 disaster response professionals from many countries. The organisers are the International Humanitarian Partnership in cooperation with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 

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The film was shot and produced by Pat Schulenburg, a MapAction volunteer, at no charge to the charity.

Atlantic storms devastate Haiti

haiti_displaced_peopleHurricane Ike and other tropical storms in September 2008 brought devastating flooding affecting 600,000 people in Haiti and submerged much of the northern city of Gonaïves. To support humanitarian relief coordination, MapAction despatched an emergency mapping team. Click here for Haiti maps. (Picture: American Red Cross)

MapAction to present to GIS professionals

gis_for_everyday_life_110x110More than 2,000 GIS professionals are expected to hear MapAction present on its work in disaster response at an international conference in October. The GIS software business ESRI is holding its Europe, Middle East and Africa in London. ESRI UK donates its software , and provides training facilities, to MapAction’s volunteer team.

Mapping the hidden enemy

mag_angola_demolition_110x110MapAction is assisting the NGO Mines Advisory Group (www.maginternational.org) to use advanced GIS methods in its work. MapAction volunteers have travelled to Angola and Northern Iraq to train MAG personnel in the use of GIS to enhance the efficiency and safety of demining work in the most mine-affected areas of the world. (Picture ©MAG 2008)

Putting Lesotho aid projects on the map

sentebale_kids_110x110 MapAction has assisted the Lesotho-based NGO Sentebale to produce an online map showing locations of aid projects helping orphans and vulnerable children across the country. The interactive map allows selective viewing of various types of projects and resources with links to Sentabale's database of projects run by a wide range of organisations. (Picture: Sentebale)

Sichuan earthquake

sichuan_eq_clip_110x110The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck central China on 12 May has caused at least 40,000 deaths. A MapAction team was placed on standby to deploy if China requested international assistance for coordination. Meanwhile a reference map of the affected area was produced within 24 hours by MapAction and can be downloaded – click here.

Myanmar cyclone disaster

myanmar_boy_110x110Tropical cyclone Nargis which struck Myanmar on 2 May reportedly caused over 100,000 deaths and made 2.4 million homeless. MapAction emergency mappers were deployed to Bangkok and Myanmar. (Picture: Reuters Alertnet)  Click here for Myanmar maps.

GIS training for Indian NGO

chirag_staff_using_ge_110x110Two MapAction volunteers have completed a project to provide GIS know-how to the NGO Chirag based in the Indian Himalayas. Chirag's team are now equipped to use GPS in conjunction with free GIS software tools to track their reforestation programmes that deliver social, environmental and disaster risk reduction benefits. (Picture: MapAction)

Times Atlas mapping for disaster response

times_atlas_page_110x110In the first hours and days of a humanitarian crisis, good reference maps of the affected region are always in demand. MapAction can now produce these rapidly, using data from the authoritative Times Atlas of the World. The publishers, Collins Bartholomew, have agreed to provide their data free of charge to MapAction for use in emergencies. (Map detail copyright Collins Bartholomew)

Learn about MapAction missions using Google Earth

missionskmzscreenUPDATE: new Google Earth file updated in design and data. Anyone with Google Earth installed on their computer can now click here to view all MapAction’s disaster relief and capacity buiilding field missions since 2003. Each icon has details of the deployment and a direct link to the maps produced during the mission.

New population maps for East Africa

kenya_data_110x110A malaria mapping project in Nairobi and Oxford has provided an unexpected benefit to MapAction's readiness for humanitarian emergencies in East Africa, in the form of detailed population maps of the region. This fills a missing information element in many disasters, which is a reliable indication of how many people are affected in a given area.

Major donor to support MapAction

man_group_logoMapAction will benefit from a new three-year grant from the Man Group plc Charitable Trust, it was announced in March. The grant will fund MapAction’s emergency response capability and its capacity-building work. The Trust is aiming to grant a total of £60,000 between now and 2010. 

January 2008: floods in Bolivia

sandbagging_in_bolivia_110x110BOLIVIA, 25 Jaunary – A MapAction team deployed to Bolivia on 26 January in response to the severe flooding that is affecting much of the country. A state of emergency has been declared by the government and more than 240,000 people are reported as affected. MapAction is working alongside a UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team. (Picture: Reuters/Alertnet). Click here for Bolivia maps.

Mozambique disaster preparedness training

moz1_gps_trainingA two-stage training programme on use of GIS for disaster preparedness has been completed in Mozambique by MapAction. The course was run in partnership with Mozambique’s technical university (UDM), and also with involvement from the national disaster management agency (INCG) and UN Development Programme. (Picture: MapAction)

2007 was “no freak year” says Oxfam

flood_damage_110x110A dramatic rise in disaster events is attributed to global warming by leading aid agencies who have issued reports recently. Looking back on 2007, an Oxfam director said that "This is no freak year" and that it was part of a pattern of less predictable weather events. The NGO MapAction is anticipating more weather-related emergencies in future.  

Mexican flood relief

villahermosa_mexicoA team of four volunteers from MapAction joined the international relief effort in the devastating floods in southern Mexico, in November 2007. In the flooded city of Villahermosa in Tabasco province, more than 80,000 people took refuge in schools and churches. This placed them at risk from diseases such as dengue fever and cholera. (Picture: Reuters/Alertnet)

Dominican Republic emergency

dominican_republic_floods_110x110A MapAction team deployed in October to the Dominican Republic where Tropical Storm Noel caused severe flooding and displaced more than 64,000 people. More than 80% of the country has been affected. This was MapAction’s second emergency mission in the Caribbean region this year, having sent a team to Jamaica following Hurricane Dean. (Picture: Reuters/Alertnet)

Prince Harry helps MapAction mark 50 missions

prince_harry_oct07_110x110In October 2007, MapAction completed its first 50 field and training missions. Prince Harry, the charity's Royal Patron, attended a reception and presentation to mark this milestone. About 140 guests and members of MapAction met at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in central London. 

Floods in West Africa

ghana_floods_sep07_110x110Flooding in north-eastern Ghana in September killed at least six people and affected over 260,000, according to the Government. Thousands of homes were destroyed and the flooding also caused major bridges to collapse and destroyed crops. Following the deployment of a UN assessment and coordination group, a MapAction team deployed to support them from Tamale in northern Ghana.

Assisting in Pakistan flood emergency

pakistan_floodsMapAction team member Philip Moore has returned from a one-month attachment to the UN Joint Logistics Centre responding to the flooding emergency in Pakistan which affected more than one million people. Based in Islamabad, he produced situation maps for the logistics coordination cluster and other humanitarian organisations.

Hurricane Dean – Jamaica

damage_at_old_harbour_02_110x110On Friday 17 August 2007, Hurricane Dean tore through the eastern Caribbean and then strengthened to Category 4 as it brushed the south coast of Jamaica. MapAction deployed an emergency response team to the island. The team worked closely with government agencies, the UN and Red Cross to assess and map damage and immediate relief needs.

MapAction becomes ECHO partner

echoMapAction has signed a Framework Partnership Agreement with ECHO, the humanitarian aid department of the European Commission. The agreement will enable MapAction to increase its level of response in humanitarian emergencies, as well as enabling other disaster preparedness work. It provides a mechanism for ECHO to provide funding for specific missions by MapAction. 

MapAction team member deploys to Sudan

anne_frankland_110x110Anne Frankland of MapAction travels to South Sudan in August to start a six-month contract with the UN Joint Logistics Centre. Anne will be replacing Nick McWilliam, also of MapAction, who has been in Sudan since early 2007. The post is based in Juba, and involves building local capacity for mapping transport routes across southern Sudan. 

Building disaster resilience in Mozambique

mozambique_floods_110x110MapAction will be training engineers and disaster response professionals in the use of GIS and GPS technologies in a two-stage mission to Mozambique over the coming months. The project was instigated by the Dean of Mozambique’s technical university (UDM) who, recognising a need for predictive flood mapping, sought MapAction’s help. 

Satellite project reaches first milestone

harmless_image_110x110Project HARMLESS, researching and promoting the use of next-generation satellite navigation technologies for humanitarian and emergency uses, has reached its first major milestone. The project, in which MapAction is a consortium partner, has completed its Critical Analysis phase, with a report recently issued.

Excellence award for MapAction

esir_awardMapAction received a GIS Excellence Award from ESRI at a ceremony on 24 April. The award recognises the charity's innovation in using geographical information technologies in disaster relief. Roger Wedge of MapAction received the award from Richard Waite, managing director of ESRI (UK) at the GISTech 2007 event. 

Prince Harry to be Royal Patron

emp-3446906_110x110Prince Harry has lent his personal support to MapAction by becoming the charity’s Royal Patron. The charity’s director David Spackman stated it was “a great honour and boost to our continuing development”. The Prince is said to be very interested in the role of MapAction and the work of its teams in disaster emergencies. 

New Caribbean & Latin America section

lac_team_with_andrew_loresMapAction has formed its first regional section, which will be based in the Caribbean area. Once operational, the team will assist in regional emergencies including responding to hurricane impacts. Pictured are team leader Vijay Datadin (centre) with Darren Kowlessar (right) and MapAction chairman Andrew Douglas-Bate. 

JAGUAR to assist Latin America region

jaguar_logo_110x110 European geospatial services will be promoted to the Latin American region through newly-launched Project JAGUAR, with MapAction playing a role in maximising humanitarian applications, by contributing its expertise on the use of remote sensed imagery in disaster emergencies.

Mapping aid for Kenya flood emergency

kenya_map_sample_110x110MapAction has completed a mission to Kenya to strengthen capacity in disaster response during the recent flood emergency that affected much of the eastern side of the country as well as neighbouring Somalia and Ethiopia. In Kenya alone, some 700,000 people were seriously affected.