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Below is a list of governmental and non-governmental organizations that work
with geospatial technologies
RESPOND Consortium
The RESPOND Consortium is made up of public and private sector
partners who work to disseminate geographic information for the
benefit of the humanitarian community. The work of the consortium stems
from the GMES joint initiative of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the
European Commission (EC). RESPONS is service and training based with a focus
on global base mapping and monitoring/covering emerging crises and “hot spots”.
MapRelief
MapRelief is a flagship project of the International Center for Remote Sensing
Education (ICRSE). Specifically, MapRelief aims to provide the “best available”
information in the form of field maps and guides used by relief workers in the field.
The organization works around the globe producing maps, conducting field training
and coordinating field data collection and relief analysis, often in environments
lacking basic infrastructure elements.
Map Action
MapAction is a UK-based NGO that specializes in the deployment of teams to support
mapping needs in the event of humanitarian disasters. The organization has sent teams
far and wide, including to Kenya during flood disaster in 2006 and to Sri Lanka after
the devastating tsunami in 2004.
PPgis.net
The Open Forum on Participatory Geographic Information Systems and Technologies is
an electronic forum on participatory use of geo-spatial information systems and
technologies. The forum serves as global avenue for discussing issues, share experiences
and good practices related to community mapping, participatory mapping, counter mapping,
Public Participation GIS (PPGIS), Participatory GIS (PGIS or P-GIS), Community
Integrated (CiGIS), Mobile Interactive (MiGIS) and other geo-spatial information
technologies and system used in participatory settings to support integrated
conservation and development, sustainable natural resource management and
customary property rights in developing countries and developed nations.
GIS Development
Is an India-based organization with a strong presence in the GIS for development
community. The organization hosts a web information portal that includes a plethora
of information and resources on GIS technologies and applications. GIS Development
also has a number of publications, hosts conferences around the globe, and focuses
on training in India.
GSDI Association
The Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) Association serve as a point of contact
and effective voice for those in the global community involved in developing,
implementing and advancing spatial data infrastructure concepts; fosters spatial
data infrastructures that support sustainable social, economic, and environmental
systems integrated from local to global scales; and promotes the informed and
responsible use of geographic information and spatial technologies for the benefit
of society. The Association is member-based with membership including ESRI, many
university departments, the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and numerous
other national mapping agencies. The organization publishes a number of
geographic-specific newsletters that are a notable contribution to the GIS for development field.
US Holocaust Memorial Museum
In April of 2007 the US Holocaust Memorial Museum launched the Crisis in Darfur mapping
initiative. The proejct integrates research and information on humanitarian
issues in Darfur into the Google Earth interface, allowing users to explore this data in an interactive setting.
Yale University Genocide Studies Program
The Genocide Studies Program at Yale University's MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies conducts research, seminars and
conferences on comparative, interdisciplinary, and policy issues relating to the
phenomenon of genocide, and has provided training to researchers from afflicted
regions, including Cambodia, Rwanda, and East Timor.
The program has initiated the GIS & Remote Sensing Project to explore the use of GIS, satellite
data and GPS in investigating genocide around the globe.
FEWS Net
FEWS Net is a USAID-funded collaboration of international, national and regional
partners that works to strengthen the abilities of African countries and regional
organizations to manager risk of food insecurity through the provision of timely and
analytical early warning and vulnerability information. The organizations makes
significant contributions to the field of mapping and human rights for their direct
work with food security monitoring and analysis which includes the use of satellite
data and geospatial technologies. Much of the data used by FEWS Net is disseminated
through their public-domain web portal.
UN Relief Web
ReliefWeb is the world’s leading on-line gateway to information (documents and maps)
on humanitarian emergencies and disasters. An independent vehicle of information,
designed specifically to assist the international humanitarian community in effective
delivery of emergency assistance, it provides timely, reliable and relevant
information as events unfold, while emphasizing the coverage of "forgotten emergencies"
at the same time. ReliefWeb was launched in October 1996 and is administered by the
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
UNOSAT
UNOSAT is a service of the UN providing satellite imagey and GIS services to the
international humanitarian relief and development communities. The organization
specifically provides commercial satellite data to organizations and governments
working in humanitarian affairs in line with UN policies.
For questions, comments, or additions please contact
us.
(site updated 09/25/2007)
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