Crisis mapping uses technology and crowdsourced information to help with humanitarian aid efforts during crises like natural disasters or conflicts. Crisis mappers turn online data into usable maps and reports to help relief organizations coordinate aid. Some key technologies used include mapping software, reporting platforms, geolocation tools, and media monitoring. Notable examples include mapping violence in Kenya in 2008 and aiding relief efforts during the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Current deployments include mapping floods in Sudan. Training was provided on using Ushahidi and Crowdmap platforms to collect and visualize crisis data. Ethical issues around privacy and accuracy must also be considered.

1. Technology is not scary!
NEW MEDIA TASK FORCE

2. What is Crisis Mapping?
Information, Communication and Technology, and early warning systems,
collectively in support of humanitarian aid.
Crisis Mapping initiatives enable:
•
Potential to prevent mass atrocities
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Mitigate effects of natural disasters
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Strengthen international aid agency
coordination

3. Who are Crisis Mappers?
 Online teams of people who turn publicly available
online data about a crisis into usable information.
 Standby Taskforce - http://blog.standbytaskforce.com
 CrisisMappers - http://crisismappers.net

4. What are the Technologies?
 Map-creating technologies (e.g.OpenStreetMap - open
source maps)
 Reports/data to map and map viewer technologies (e.g.
Ushahidi)
 Geolocation (finding lat/longs of places) (e.g. Google Maps)
 SMS to data technologies (e.g. FrontlineSMS, RapidSMS)
 Media monitoring technologies (e.g. GeoFeedia - streams
geolocated Tweets)

5. Ushahidi

6. History of Crisis Mapping
 2008 – Kenya Election - Ushahidi developed to map reports
of violence in Kenya after the election.
 2010 – Haiti Earthquake – Crisis Mappers organize to use
satellite images, SMS and media reports, etc. to replace
government and NGO information lost in collapsed buildings
 Since then, crisismapping deployments have covered crises
like Libya (refugees), Japan (tsunami), Chile (earthquake),
Pakistan (floods), Somalia (refugees), Alabama
(tornadoes).
http://opencrisis.org/crisismappinghistory

7. Active Deployments
 Khartoum Floods: http://hotosm.github.io/HDMCartoCSS/#10/15.6158/32.7626

8. Hands-on training
Crowdmap / Ushahidi

9. Submit a Report
nmtfminitraining.crowdmap.com
Content of a report:
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•
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Title
Description
Date and Time
Category
Map
•
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•
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Location
Source
Video Link
Photo
Contact info of responder

10. Goal
Map Local Restaurants:
 Coffee Shops
 Lunch
 Bakeries
 Bars

11. Examples of Sources
 Sources
 nytimes.com
 Yelp.com
 Social Media
 Twitter feeds
 Facebook

12. Issues to Watch for...
 Is the information accurate?
 Is the source reliable?
 Is there data redundancy?

13. Standby Task Force
Information Flows

14. Ethical Considerations in
Crisis Mapping
 Case Study – Mapping Gun Permit Holders
http://irevolution.net/2013/01/23/perils-of-crisis-mapping/

15. THE FUTURE OF CRISIS
MAPPING
 Fmr NMTF Board Member, Dean Zambrano

16. EXPERIENCE WITH TEAM
PROJECTS…
 http://inafu6212-001-20123.wikischolars.columbia.edu/Mobile+Technology+in+Po
litics