Technology and Innovation in a Crisis

The power of Geographic data in Disaster Response

Disaster Response Management (DRM) is the Coordination, assessment, planning, and swift action to mitigate and address the impact of disasters on communities, infrastructure, and environment. DRM is broken down into four key phases: Prevent, Prepare, Respond and Recover.

Geographic Information Systems/Services (GIS) is the technology that combines geographical information with different types of data, allowing organisations to visualise, analyse, and interpret data related to specific places. The Geospatial "language" can be broken down into six key areas:

Understanding Where, Measuring Size, Shape, and Distribution, Determining How Places Are Related, Finding the Best Locations and Paths, Detecting and Quantifying Patterns and Making Predictions.

GIS and geospatial analysis are indispensable tools for decision makers dealing with the humanitarian response to disasters. They enhance and enable data driven, evidence based decision-making, improve resource allocation and collaboration across the four phases.

Prevent

GIS enables organisations to assess and map disaster risks by analysing factors such as terrain, climate, population density, and vulnerability.

Geospatial data allows for the creation of early warning systems. By monitoring indicators like crop health, rainfall patterns, and population density, humanitarian agencies can anticipate future crises and take preventive measures.

Prepare

GIS assists in allocating resources effectively. It helps identify suitable locations for food distribution centres, emergency shelters, and medical facilities.

Geospatial analysis tracks supply chains, including food distribution routes, storage facilities, and transportation networks. This ensures timely delivery of aid during disasters.

Respond

GIS provides real-time situational awareness. Humanitarian workers can visualise affected areas, assess damage, and prioritise response efforts.

Geospatial data helps target aid where it is most needed. For example, mapping malnutrition rates allows agencies to focus on areas with high vulnerability.

Recover

Geospatial analysis identifies livelihood opportunities. For instance, mapping suitable agricultural land helps farmers resume food production.

By analysing historical data, GIS informs long-term resilience strategies. It helps communities adapt to climate change, improve land use, and enhance food security, for example.

Learn More

Here you can see explanations of how GIS and geospatial analysis can help at each phase of Disaster Response. From understanding where something is right through to predicting the future.

Filter by Phase

1. Prevent

2. Prepare

3. Respond

4. Recover

Filter by GIS area

1. Understanding Where

2. Measuring Size, Shape, and Distribution

3. Determining How Places Are Related

4. Finding the Best Locations and Paths

5. Detecting and Quantifying Patterns

6. Making Predictions

Phase:

Prevent

Chapter 1

Understanding Where

Geospatial Insights for Early Detection

Geospatial technology, notably GIS, is a linchpin in disaster prevention. Mapping vulnerable zones facilitates early intervention, promoting sustainable farming and pre-emptive measures.

GIS enables proactive strategies to avert humanitarian crises. This foresight bolsters preparedness, fostering resilience, and safeguarding lives in at-risk regions.

Phase:

Prevent

Chapter 2

Measuring Size, Shape, and Distribution

Quantifying Vulnerabilities for Proactive Solutions

In the Prevent phase, GIS analyses dimensions and layouts of diverse elements like agricultural plots, water reservoirs, and population centres. This insight aids in assessing vulnerabilities and devising pre-emptive measures.

By strategically allocating resources, GIS facilitates proactive solutions, minimising the fallout from potential disasters.

Phase:

Prevent

Chapter 3

Determining How Places Are Related

Strategic Spatial Relationships for Resilience

In the Prevent Phase, Geospatial technology helps locate vulnerable areas and analyse potential impacts using spatial data. This means actions taken are informed by a deep understanding of geographical features, patterns, and relationships.

This allows for more effective planning and plays a crucial role in preventing disasters and safeguarding communities.

Phase:

Prevent

Chapter 4

Finding the Best Locations and Paths

Optimal Resource Allocation for Resilience

In the Prevent phase, GIS technology is instrumental in finding the best places and paths to locate buildings or other infrastructure needs.

By optimising routes and identifying suitable areas, GIS helps in ensuring that essential services are conveniently located for everyone who needs them. This helps keep communities safe and well-prepared for any potential risks.

Phase:

Prevent

Chapter 5

Detecting and Quantifying Patterns

Early Identification of Vulnerabilities

In the Prevent phase, GIS technology helps identify and detect patterns related to potential disasters.

By pinpointing significant hot spots, anomalies, and trends it enables targeted preventive measures, such as addressing food scarcity and implementing community-based initiatives for sustainable agriculture.

Phase:

Prevent

Chapter 6

Making Predictions

Proactive Planning for Future Challenges

In the Prevent phase, experts use GIS predictive modelling to analyse historical data and climate models to anticipate future humanitarian challenges.

GIS identifies factors shaping spatial patterns, guiding proactive planning for community resilience. This ensures communities are prepared for potential disasters.

Phase:

Prepare

Chapter 1

Understanding Where

Geospatial Insights for Readiness

In the Prepare phase, geospatial technology, especially GIS, identifies and locates disaster-prone areas.

This spatial insight guides proactive strategies such as resource stockpiling, establishing emergency food distribution networks, and locating the most vulnerable communities with the greatest needs.

Phase:

Prepare

Chapter 2

Measuring Size, Shape, and Distribution

Assessing Impact for Strategic Planning

In the Prepare phase, GIS technology plays a key role in measuring the size, shape, and distribution of different features susceptible to disasters.

By assessing individual and collective geometries, decision-makers can accurately estimate the potential impact. This ensures that aid is directed where it is needed most, enhancing overall disaster response effectiveness.

Phase:

Prepare

Chapter 3

Determining How Places Are Related

Spatial Relationships for Effective Preparedness

In the Prepare phase, Geospatial technology identifies nearby features, assesses vulnerable areas, and examines spatial relationships.

This spatial understanding guides the creation of comprehensive preparedness plans, efficient routes, and strategic resource distribution strategies, ensuring effective disaster response readiness.

Phase:

Prepare

Chapter 4

Finding the Best Locations and Paths

Resource Allocation for Effective Response

In the Prepare phase, GIS technology and analysis pinpoint optimal locations and routes for resource deployment, aiding teams in effective preparation.

This strategic planning guarantees swift response efforts, ensuring resources efficiently reach affected areas during crises, bolstering disaster readiness and response effectiveness.

Phase:

Prepare

Chapter 5

Detecting and Quantifying Patterns

Early Identification of Response Patterns

In the Prepare phase, GIS technology helps detect any patterns emerging from a crisis. By identifying significant hot spots, anomalies, and trends, professionals can anticipate potential challenges and plan response strategies.

This enhances the ability to predict critical factors, contributing to a more effective and targeted disaster response.

Phase:

Prepare

Chapter 6

Making Predictions

Anticipatory Planning for Effective Response

Phase:

Respond

Chapter 1

Understanding Where

Geospatial Insights for Rapid Assessment

In the Respond phase, geospatial technology, particularly GIS, helps decision makers rapidly understand places most impacted by disaster.

This is crucial for swift and targeted assessments, aiding in the identification of places requiring immediate attention and helping navigate challenging terrains and assessing the extent of the disaster.

Phase:

Respond

Chapter 2

Measuring Size, Shape, and Distribution

Assessing Impact for Targeted Intervention

In the Respond phase GIS technology plays a pivotal role by measuring the size, shape, and distribution of features impacted by a disaster. This provides detailed insights into the impact on land, water sources, and infrastructure.

This information enables response teams to prioritise and execute targeted interventions efficiently.

Phase:

Respond

Chapter 3

Determining How Places Are Related

Spatial Relationships for Efficient Action

In the Respond phase, Geospatial technology such as GIS can analyse the locations of affected areas and summarise features within affected areas and how they might be related to nearby shelters and other safety zones.

This helps in deploying aid, optimising food distribution, and prioritising communities in need, ensuring an effective crisis response.

Phase:

Respond

Chapter 4

Finding the Best Locations and Paths

Optimising Emergency Response

In the Respond phase, GIS technology is key to identifying optimal locations and routes for the emergency response. By pinpointing efficient paths and suitable sites GIS optimises resource deployment.

This ensures a rapid and well-coordinated emergency response, addressing the immediate needs of communities affected by food scarcity.

Phase:

Respond

Chapter 5

Detecting and Quantifying Patterns

Identifying Critical Patterns for Targeted Relief

In the Respond phase GIS technology helps identify significant hot spots, anomalies, and trends. Professionals can anticipate evolving challenges and plan relief strategies accordingly.

This pattern detection enhances the ability to predict food scarcity, medical needs and other critical factors, contributing to a more effective and targeted disaster response.

Phase:

Respond

Chapter 6

Making Predictions

Informed Decision-Making for Immediate Action

In the Respond phase GIS predictive modelling can make informed predictions about ongoing and emerging challenges related to the impact of a disaster.

GIS technology enables quick adaptations and informed decision-making, ensuring that immediate actions are based on accurate predictions for effective response to the crisis.

Phase:

Recover

Chapter 1

Understanding Where

Geospatial Insights for Rehabilitation Planning

In the Recover phase, geospatial technology, particularly GIS, is used to produce maps to assess crisis-affected areas needing rehabilitation. This is vital for devising reconstruction strategies.

GIS facilitates the identification of communities needing specific help, making it easier to prioritise how and where to focus the rebuilding efforts.

Phase:

Recover

Chapter 2

Measuring Size, Shape, and Distribution

Assessing Rehabilitation Impact

In the Recover phase, GIS technology plays a crucial role by examining the dimensions, configuration, and dispersion of features impacted by the disaster.

his data help recovery teams in their strategic planning for reconstruction, ensuring resources are effectively allocated to optimise rehabilitation efforts.

Phase:

Recover

Chapter 3

Determining How Places Are Related

Spatial Relationships for Nuanced Rehabilitation

In the Recover phase, geospatial technology, including GIS, plays a crucial role in identifying and locating nearby features and providing an overview of key features and attributes of areas impacted by the disaster.

This helps target interventions and plan effective rehabilitation strategies, ensuring communities get the help they need after a disaster.

Phase:

Recover

Chapter 4

Finding the Best Locations and Paths

Optimal Reconstruction Planning

In the Recover phase, GIS technology is instrumental in finding the best locations for planning reconstruction. Identifying optimal routes to reach those places is critical.

Geospatial analysis can help ensure reconstruction efforts are well-planned and executed for the long-term resilience of communities affected by humanitarian crisis.

Phase:

Recover

Chapter 5

Detecting and Quantifying Patterns

Identifying Progress Patterns with GIS Insights

In the Recover phase GIS helps detect patterns related to progress and recovery. By pinpointing trends, anomalies, and hotspots, professionals can assess the effectiveness of their efforts.

This pattern detection informs targeted measures, ensuring that recovery strategies adapt to changing conditions and achieve sustained progress.

Phase:

Recover

Chapter 6

Making Predictions

Informed Decisions for Sustainable Rehabilitation

The Recover phase uses GIS predictive modelling to analyse ongoing spatial patterns and trends, predict future challenges and plan sustainable rehabilitation.

This forward-looking approach ensures that professionals can anticipate potential hurdles and plan for long-term resilience for communities to emerge stronger and more resilient.