Speed geeking

Nick McWilliams (Mapaction)

Understanding the effect of maps on humanitarian outcomes

How can we understand the impact of maps - and other information products – on humanitarian outcomes? In some cases, the connection can be clear: navigating a delivery from A to B, say. But in general, the humanitarian context is far more complex: maps are one of many information inputs; decision making needs are diverse and immediate; many other factors influence decision making; and information needs change rapidly over time. So, the cause and effect connections are less like a chain and more like a complex network. When a map enters the system, how do we know what its ultimate effects will be? MapAction will look at how its ‘logic model’ is used as a framework for understanding this system, and the role of methods like contributions analysis in monitoring and evaluation. For us, this topic is vital: to demonstrate the benefit of geo-information services; to promote their value and use; and to help agencies involved in this sector to learn and improve. Do join us in this quest!

Isabelle Didierjean (IMMAP)

Boosting of Agricultural Chain Supply: Support to Cotton and Cocoa sectors in Madagascar.

Pragmatic information management of agricultural sectors facilitates the traceability of production and therefore the certification process, marketing and administrative monitoring. iMMAP provides technology support for the establishment of information system and custom geographic information system . A diversified experience in emergency and development contexts allows us to support our partners in the design of tools for the process of decisions making in the agricultural sector.

iMMAP works with Integrated Growth Poles (PIC2) of Madagascar as an assistant of project management. Following the needs assessment and discussions with the various stakeholders, iMMAP offers expertise in information technology service to the design of a GIS dedicated to cotton and cocoa sectors. This system will help to better governance and boosting agribusiness in areas of Diana and Atsimo Andrefana.

Priority Settings Tool for Mine Action (PriSMA): Making priority setting more accessible for decision makers in mine action

PriSMA is a browser based multi-criteria model that aims to enhance the ability of mine action stakeholders to improve the clarity on the impact of hazards and prioritize those hazards based on the impact.  The ease of use of the tool allows for stakeholders not familiar with GIS to use and get results in data or an easy downloadable map format. In addition PriSMA provides users with a level of transparency in the priority settings process by allowing stakeholders to crosscheck priority setting results and make adjustments as needed. PriSMA provides two models the use can choose from, one that addresses strategic level prioritization on an administrative level and the second which provides an operational and tasking prioritization on the hazard level. The tool works with ArcGIS Online which provides the space to host the maps and data used in PriSMA.

Humanitarian uses of technology in highly insecure settings

In some of the most insecure humanitarian contexts, monitoring aid programmes is particularly critical. Did assistance get to the right people? Have aid trucks safely reached their intended location? How do affected populations assess the services provided, and are we sending the right things? Yet, answers can be difficult to get where aid access is restricted.​ Technology can help, but also introduces challenges and risks. This speed geeking session is based on the findings of a three-year research project on technology uses for monitoring in Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan and Syria. A roleplay will take you right into a conflict zone, where you decide: Which tools would you use? And what could possibly go wrong?

Gaëlle Baldet-Ladan (Geodesk)

How to guarantee the wellbeing of your staff while deployed for a mission (in French)

International organisations and NGOs are constantly facing new challenges and constrains for the wellbeing of their staff. The mission of most humanitarian actors is to provide relief and aid to vulnerable and disaster-stricken populations around the world; this task comes at a great cost and can compromise the continuity of projects and deployment of staff in the field. 
Thus, humanitarian organisations find themselves in a challenging position; while understanding the risks posed by the field, they have the responsibility to respond to the needs of its employees. Geodesk has had this in consideration and offers various solutions to reduce the risks and secure deployments in highly-volatile scenarios.