Operational partners

MapAction never works in isolation – our sole aim during any operation is to quickly and effectively deliver the information our partners need. We recognise that there are hundreds of agencies out there well placed to deliver aid and emergency support – our niche is to work with them to help them do that as efficiently as possible.

MapAction is proud to hold long-term relationships with key partners in the humanitarian emergency response community, including the United Nations, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Save the Children, the World Food Programme, ACAPS, REACH Initiative, START Network and Translators without Borders as well as several regional disaster management agencies. We are also a member of Missing Maps, a collaborative volunteer-based project that aims to create accessible map data where humanitarian organisations are operating.

MapAction has completely transformed the speed and accuracy with which we can programme our response. I can’t imagine us being successful without their support.

Jesper Holmer Lund, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Regional and local partners

MapAction works closely with regional disaster management agencies in Southeast Asia (AHA Centre), the Caribbean (CDEMA) and Central Asia (CESDRR). When disasters occur, we provide mapping and information support to regional and local coordination and response teams. We also collaborate with our regional partners to help them improve data gathering, mapping and analysis at a regional and national level, to effectively plan and deliver humanitarian aid in response to disasters.

READ MORE: MapAction continues to strengthen global disaster preparedness in summer of 2023

For information about our funding partners, please visit our funders page.

Data science partners

MapAction works with the UN’s Centre for Humanitarian Data in the Hague as well as the Heidelberg Institute for Geoinformation Technology (HEiGIT), as well as other data partners, to pursue innovation and to unlock information management barriers in the humanitarian sector. Read more below.

Partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP)

In July 2016 a joint team from MapAction and the United Nations World Food Programme worked with the government of Sri Lanka to prepare essential base data for emergency preparedness and response.

The project was the first collaboration between MapAction and the World Food Programme as part of a partnership to strengthen humanitarian responses in Southeast Asia. The database developed in Sri Lanka will serve as a template for further joint initiatives planned for Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In November 2017, we helped the World Food Programme respond to the sudden influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar into Bangladesh.

READ MORE: MapAction supports data preparedness in Sri Lanka

Partnership with the United Nations

The UN frequently requests MapAction support both before and during emergencies. We support UN training courses and simulation exercises by providing mapping support and humanitarian mapping workshops. We also collaborate to jointly develop new ideas and define and engender good practice in the use of data.

MapAction works with hundreds of partners worldwide, ranging from the UN to regional disaster response agencies in five continents. Our work is supported by institutional, private and individual donations and our work is implemented with a team of 20 permanent staff and 70+ volunteers.

READ MORE: MapAction team in Turkiye working on disaster landscape maps and supporting earthquake response at UNDAC’s request

Partnerships with INGOS and local organisations

We have partnerships with dozens of major INGOs and civil society organisations, as well as ongoing sustainability partnerships with Corporate Social Responsibility Programs. We are continuously looking for new partners and welcome all and any enquiries.

Partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO)

In 2022, MapAction also signed an MoU with the WHO to strengthen the organisation’s ability to respond more effectively in health emergencies.

READ MORE: MapAction signs WHO partnership agreement underlining growing support for health emergencies