CartONG implements the Site Mapping together with UNHCR GDS (Global Data Service, previously known as FICSS within the organization) unit by deploying a user-friendly smartphone application for data collection and maintenance and which stores all collected information online in versatile web maps accessible to all actors in need of it. CartONG continuously works on improving the site mapping application (see more details below), and beyond this, our team also provides direct to field operations and can also deploy for camp mapping missions (such as the one conducted in 2017 in Nepal).
A quick look at the various improvements of the site mapping application over the years:
- Since 2017, it is possible to view camps that have been mapped in OpenStreetMap and to also open them. Also, the database model was enhanced further after assessing data set compiled by other site mapping actors to boost compatibility of the approach and enhance data interoperability.
- In 2018, the Site Mapping web application saw improvements oriented towards three main objectives. Firstly, the application went through an in-depth review of its user interface and design, aiming for a simpler and better user experience, as well as reaching full compliance with UNHCR Graphical Chart. Secondly, functionalities focusing on analysis and download of UNHCR’s own data were upgraded and matured. Constant debugging and improved quality control were implemented all throughout the year. The application was also set up to further integrate OpenStreetMap data. For the integration of OSM data, a pilot project focused on five refugee camps in Uganda was conducted to assess the best ways of integrating OSM data into the UNHCR database; and an additional project focused on importing UNHCR data into OSM. The import was documented in a Wiki. Learn more by reading our 2018 Annual Report.
- In 2019, the Site Mapping web application has seen small but efficient improvements oriented towards three main objectives in 2019. Firstly, the application went through a review of its user interface and design, aiming to a simpler and better user experience, focusing on the quality of data and on the coherence of the icons displayed between each site. Working on the missing icons allowed us to also clean the database, and in the near future a semi-automatic quality check would be requested while importing new data sets. Secondly, we integrated quite a lot of new datasets of site infrastructure coming from REACH and also HDX. The third objective for 2019 was to start working on visualizing data coming from sector databases. We can now display and download from the site mapping application the global borehole database. Learn more by reading our 2019 Annual Report.
- In 2020, the Site Mapping web application was enhanced with improved symbology differentiating the type of data available at World View for a given site. This has been facilitated by the work of the volunteers that helped to manually classify the sites. In future, this step is meant to be automated. Learn more by reading our 2020 Annual Report.
Jan / 2015
UNHCR
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