Volunteers are needed to help put the world's vulnerable people on the map.
Each year, disasters around the world kill nearly 100,000 and affect or displace 200 million people. Many of the places where these disasters occur are literally 'missing' from any map and first-responders lack the information to make valuable decisions regarding relief efforts. Missing Maps is an open, collaborative project in which you can help to map areas where humanitarian organisations are trying to meet the needs of vulnerable people.
How does it work?
Step 1: Remote volunteers like you can participate in Mapping Now by tracing satellite imagery into OpenStreetMap
Step 2: Community volunteers then add local detail such neighborhoods, street names, and evacuation centers
Step 3: And finally, humanitarian organizations use the mapped information to plan risk reduction and disaster response activities that save lives.
This project first provides training on how to map and then provides access to OpenSTreetMap software so you can start filling in those missing map pieces.
Click here to get started with training: https://www.missingmaps.org/learn/.
Once you're ready for mapping, go here: http://www.missingmaps.org/#contribute.
Don't forget to Respond to this Need, so you can track your service hours. You will need to send screenshots of your "My Stats" page to communityengagement@southalabama.edu in order for us to be able to verify your hours. Please track and submit the actual amount of time spent volunteering.
As an additional reminder, because the process for getting started is outlined above, you won't receive a follow-up e-mail from the hosting agency when you Respond to this Need.
For additional information, e-mail info@hotosm.org.
