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Updates: MapAction sends humanitarian mappers to support UN Myanmar earthquake response. Funding urgently needed for MapAction’s response.
Last updated: Tuesday, April 8th, 13:00 UTC Urgent appeal to continue MapAction’s mission in Myanmar MapAction needs to raise £150k to continue our Myanmar mission, at the heart of the UN response. As the only Humanitarian Information Management agency located in Myanmar with the vanguard UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team, it is imperative that […]
MapAction teams mapping three different crises during the 2024 festive season
Natural disasters, the climate emergency and conflict all do not respect seasons and festivities. From Mozambique to Vanuatu, via Lebanon, MapAction teams have been requested to provide emergency mapping and data support in three different crises worldwide this Christmas. Mozambique cyclone Nearly half a million people have been affected by Cyclone Chido in Mozambique alone, […]
How to speed-up risk data collection, a collaboration between MapAction and Analytics for a Better World
By: ABW Data Scientist Dr. Claudia Orellana-Rodriguez , ABW Outreach and Event Manager Irina Ioniță, Pipple Data Scientist Sanne van den Bogaart & MapAction Head of Data Science Daniel Soares The key step of any data and analytics project? Data, data, data, and did we mention collecting the right data? Easier typed than executed! A […]
Accelerating humanitarian response: Inside MapAction’s Automated Data Pipeline
In times of crisis, timely and accurate geospatial data is crucial for effective humanitarian response. This GIS Day 2024, we discuss a new project: an automated data pipeline to streamline the collection and preparation of essential geospatial datasets for emergencies. By replicating the data scramble process our GIS teams typically perform during emergencies, the MapAction […]
Understanding how floods affect at-risk communities ‘off the map’ in Cartagena, Colombia
Understanding the impacts of flooding in cities is a complex and multifaceted issue, influenced by competing environmental, social, economic, and political factors. Lack of comprehensive data and information on flood events exacerbates the issue, hindering the ability of cities and their residents to effectively prepare for and respond to disasters. No one understands the importance […]
World Humanitarian Day: Reflections from MapAction members
As we celebrate World Humanitarian Day, a handful of MapAction members reflect on why they continue to use their skills for the good of humanitarian relief. Tiago Canelas For many years, I’ve worked in global health, developing spatial models and insights to improve lives in low and middle-income countries. One thing became clear along the […]
Strengthening data quality for shared humanitarian data sets can reduce human suffering
Since 2022, MapAction, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) and the University of Georgia, Information Technology Outreach Services (ITOS) have been working on strengthening data quality for what are referred to as Common Operational Datasets (COD): ‘best available’ shared datasets that ensure consistency and simplify the discovery and exchange […]
Updates*: Recovery actions continue in Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines after Hurricane Beryl
Last updated: July 29th, 11:00 UTC Hurricane Beryl updates July 29th, 11:00 UTC: This Hurricane Beryl blog will no longer regularly be updated. Thank you so much for following this blog in the last couple of weeks. It’ll be reactivated with regular updates when the next hurricane in this ‘hurricane season’ occurs. We leave you with […]
How MapAction is using data to reduce human suffering in Madagascar
For more than a decade, MapAction has provided support to Madagascar’s national disaster management agency, managing and visualising key data to support decision-makers, during tropical storms and cyclones. Now the focus is on strengthening the island’s preparedness for any future disasters. This includes a nationwide review of overall information management capacity and gaps, training of […]
Meet Gemma and Charlotte on International Girls in ICT Day
International Girls in ICT Day, celebrated every April, aims to celebrate female leadership in ICT. “Women are nearly absent from software development, engineering, technology research, academia as well as at the highest levels of policy making. They also tend to leave science and technology jobs at higher rates than men,” states the commemorative day’s UN […]
Video: Mapping impact in The Gambia
In 2022, MapAction, at the request of longtime partner UN OCHA, provided GIS and data support and training to The Gambian National Disaster Management Agency. Watch the video below to find out why the mission mattered and what the impact was. This work is made possible with funds from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.
Meet a MapAction pioneer on International Women’s Day
She survived a volcanic eruption and helped rebuild her island afterwards. Meet Lavern Ryan, a MapAction volunteer and GIS aficionado. ‘Be the change that you want to see in the world’ is a quote often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi but on International Women’s Day 2024, MapAction volunteer Lavern Ryan says it captures her thoughts. “I […]
“We see real outcomes.” MapAction impact in Central Asia in partnership with CESDRR
MapAction has delivered 15 workshops to disaster managers in Central Asia in the last five years in partnership with the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction (CESDRR). Widespread use of GIS and humanitarian information management tools means local disaster managers are evermore prepared for present and future hazards. When a fire broke out […]
Strengthening disaster preparedness country-by-country with the INFORM Risk index
MapAction is supporting national and local disaster management authorities to reduce and address the multiple risks faced, provide better early warning systems and facilitate risk-informed development. We kickstarted our work in Eswatini. For nearly 20 years, in 140+ emergencies, MapAction has supported countries in mitigating disasters. Since July 2023, in partnership with the European Commission’s […]
Podcast: Towards disaster resilience with CDEMA in the Caribbean
Renee Babb, GIS specialist with the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) – a longterm MapAction partner – and Lavern Ryan, a GIS specialist with the government of Montserrat and also a MapAction volunteer, talk with MapAction’s Alan Mills MBE on the GeoMob podcast about CDEMA and MapAction’s decade-long relationship. Find out why they […]
MapAction Data Science Lab: the story so far
Since its inception MapAction has worked on leveraging technical expertise and geospatial technologies to transform humanitarian decision-making. In 2022, the ‘Data Science Lab’ became an even more integral part of MapAction’s work, adding new staff, resources and projects. By Daniel Soares, Head of Data Science, MapAction The first tentative steps to establish a data science […]
Ode to a geospatial humanitarian partnership and shared values
From Mexico to South Sudan, Malawi and worldwide, MapAction and CartONG have worked together for nearly a decade to bring geospatial solutions to the humanitarian aid and international development sector. Our underlying core shared values help us support NGOs and aid actors for more impactful assistance. What happens if information barriers aren’t broken down for […]
Updates: The Anticipation Hub, The 11th Global Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action
Welcome to the first post in a new blog series on anticipatory action. The series will explore MapAction’s work to strengthen readiness and preparedness worldwide. We’ll kick off with a few facts and definitions, as well as a review of some of the key sessions and agenda points from the The Anticipation Hub: The 11th […]
MapAction responds to Morocco earthquake, deployment team on standby
MapAction teams began responding to the devastating 6,8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco as news began to break on the morning of Saturday September 9th. The latest bulletin from the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior puts the death toll at above 2800, with thousands more injured. Every time a major natural disaster like this occurs, at […]
MapAction continues to strengthen global disaster preparedness in summer of 2023
With El Nino set to bring a particularly challenging period for humanitarians, MapAction members have been busy all summer working on disaster preparedness around the world. If you missed our recent announcement, we are delighted to be able to introduce Colin Rogers, MapAction’s new CEO. Read more about Colin here and his decades of experience […]
MapAction conducts simulated volcanic eruption response exercise on Isle of Cumbrae
Every year, MapAction brings together its staff, its cohort of volunteers, partners and other stakeholders to hold a three-day exercise to simulate an emergency response to a given disaster. The objective is to strengthen the whole organisation’s disaster preparedness; to ensure MapAction is as ready as it can be for the next emergency response. This […]
UPDATES: MapAction humanitarian mappers supporting UN response to heavy floods in Peru
Key facts (April 26, 2023): April 26. 09:30 UTC. MapAction’s mappers have set up temporary office in Lima, Peru, in the last week and maps are already reaching UNDAC and partners. Cue a new MapAction Wall. April 14. 12:00 UTC. Experienced humanitarian mappers from MapAction have travelled to Peru to support the United Nations and […]
A volunteer-driven disaster relief model: a glimpse into a MapAction training weekend
MapAction is a hub of 80 data, geospatial and geography professionals who volunteer as humanitarian mappers for disaster relief. Our new Head of Communications Alex Macbeth shares his views below of a recent training weekend, providing an insight into how and why volunteers at MapAction do what they do. The GPS points towards a small […]
MapAction signs WHO partnership agreement underlining growing support for health emergencies
MapAction has signed the Standby Partnership Agreement with the World Health Organisation (WHO) which will allow the UK-based emergency response and disaster preparedness charity to have greater impact in health emergencies. The agreement will see MapAction volunteers ready on standby to deploy to any health emergency operations at the request of the WHO. This will […]
UPDATES*: MapAction team in Turkiye working on disaster landscape maps and supporting earthquake response at UNDAC’s request
(This work is funded by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance) Key facts (March 15, 10:00 UTC): March 15: 10:00 UTC. More than 9 million people have been affected by the earthquakes in Turkiye, according to the latest data and situation report from UN OCHA. Nearly 3 million people have been displaced: 3.5 million people have […]
MapAction to provide support to earthquake emergency response operations in Turkiye and Syria
At least 5000 people have been confirmed dead (updated: Feb 7, 09:30 GMT) after a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake, and subsequent aftershocks, struck southeast Turkiye (formerly known as Turkey) and northwest Syria on Monday February 6th. That seismic event was swiftly followed by a second 7.5 magnitude earthquake in the same region and dozens of […]
MapAction team deploys to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to support UN response to floods
Three members of MapAction, the humanitarian mapping agency, have had to cut short or postpone their Christmas plans as they drop everything to respond to the UN’s call for help in Kinshasa, DRC, to respond to deadly floods. Experienced MapAction members Mark Gillick, Andrew Kesterton and Daniel Soares have deployed to DRC – initially for […]
MapAction’s partnership with Asian disaster reduction & response network ADRRN is part of ‘global localisation’ strategy
MapAction continues to help create resilience for geospatial and data science practitioners in the Asia-Pacific region working on emergency response and anticipatory action. It is part of MapAction’s ‘global strategy of localisation’, a commitment to empower regional disaster relief bodies and civil society stakeholders to be more resilient and sustainable. The East Asia and Pacific […]
Sudden Onset & Humanitarian Response Mapping Course
In a disaster situation, making rapid sense of the avalanche of information is crucial to an effective response. MapAction’s practical, three-day Response Mapping course teaches you to use simple, low-cost, open source software and tried and tested field applications to create essential maps, proven to aid key decision-makers in a major crisis. When: 1 – […]
Meet our first Ambassador
Farhad 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 […]