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.’