Building a geospatial data model for humanitarian response
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2014.0203Keywords:
geospatial, data modeling, geographical information system, humanitarian, rapid assessment, information managementAbstract
Objective: An effectual emergency response effort is contingent upon the quality and timeliness of information provided to both the decision making and coordinating functions; conditions that are hard to guarantee in the urgent climate of the response effort. The purpose of this paper is to present a validated Humanitarian Data Model (HDM) that can assist in the rapid assessment of disaster needs and subsequent decision making. Substandard, inconsistent information can lead to poorly informed decisions, and subsequently, inappropriate response activities. Here we present a novel, organized, and fluid information management workflow to be applied during the rapid assessment phase of an emergency response. A comprehensive, peer-reviewed geospatial data model not only directs the design of data collection tools but also allows for more systematic data collection and management, leading to improved analysis and response outcomes.
Design: This research involved the development of a comprehensive geospatial data model to guide the collection, management and analysis of geographically referenced assessment information, for implementation at the rapid response phase of a disaster using a mobile data collection app based on key outcome parameters. A systematic review of literature and best practices was used to identify and prioritize the minimum essential data variables.
Subjects: The data model was critiqued for variable content, structure, and usability by a group of subject matter experts in the fields of humanitarian information management and geographical information systems.
Conclusions: Consensus found that the adoption of a standardized system of data collection, management, and processing, such as the data model presented here, could facilitate the collection and sharing of information between agencies with similar goals, facilitate the better coordination of efforts by unleashing the power of geographic information for humanitarian decision support.
References
Cowan NM: A geospatial management framework for humanitarian response. Proceedings of the 8th International ISCRAM Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, May 2011.
Adams M: Mapping as a tool for planning and coordination in humanitarian operations. Humanitarian Exchange Magazine, December 2006. Available at http://www.odihpn.org/report.asp?id=2851. Accessed April 3, 2014.
Kaiser R, Spiegel PB, Henderson AK, et al.: The impact of geographical information systems and global positioning systems in humanitarian emergencies: Lessons learned, program implications and future research. Disasters. 2003; 27(2): 127-140.
Laituri M: Geospatial responses to disasters: The role of cyberspace. Arc News. 2010; 32(2), 1-7.
Verjee F: The application of geomatics in complex humanitarian emergencies. J Humanitarian Assistance. 2005. Boston: Feinstein International Center, Tufts University. Available at http://www.jha.ac/articles/a179.pdf. Accessed April 3, 2014.
Currion P: Better the devil we know: Obstacles and opportunities in humanitarian GIS, 2006. Available at www.humanitarianinfo.org. Accessed April 3, 2014.
Darcy J, Hofmann C: According to need? Needs assessment and decision-making in the humanitarian sector. Humanitarian Policy Group: Report 15, 2003. London: Overseas Development Institute, Humanitarian Policy Group. Available at http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/hpg-publications/reports/15-need-assessment-decisionmaking-humanitarian-sector.pdf. Accessed April 3, 2014.
Garfield R, Blake C, Chatainger P, et al.: Common needs assessments and humanitarian action, 2011. Humanitarian Practice Network: Network Paper 69. London: Overseas Development Institute, Humanitarian Policy Group. Available at http://www.humanitarianforum.org/data/files/resources/807/en/commonneedsassessment.pdf Accessed April 3, 2014.
Bradt DA, Drummond CM: Rapid epidemiological assessment of health status in displaced populations – An evolution toward standardized minimum essential datasets. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2002; 17(4): 178-185.
Operations Multinational Interoperability Working Group, (Ops MIWG) of the Multinational Interoperability Council (MIC): Multinational Interoperability Council, Rapid Reconnaissance Handbook for Humanitarian /Disaster Response, 2006. Available at https://community.apan.org/mic/m/mic_documents/50220.aspx. Accessed April 3, 2014.
Brown V, Depoortere E: Rapid health assessment of refugee or displaced populations, 3rd ed., 2006. Médecins Sans Frontières. Available at http://www.refbooks.msf.org/MSF_Docs/En/Rapid_health/RAPID_HEALTH_en.pdf. Accessed April 3, 2014.
Benfield Hazard Research Centre, University College London and CARE International: Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines (V 4.4), 2005. Available at http://hubasia.org/library/guidelines-rapid-environmental-impact-disasters-version-44. Accessed April 3, 2014.
Currion P: Rapid Assessment Process Package (UN office of the humanitarian coordinator for Iraq). Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Field Information Services (FIS), 2003.
EU ECHO - Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (DG ECHO): Initial Needs Assessment Checklist (INAC), 2011. Available at http://www.euromedcp.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=755%3Anew-eu-echo-tool-to-support-collection-of-information-in-the-immediate-aftermath-of-a-crisis&catid=199%3Ageneral-news&Itemid=881&lang=en. Accessed April 3, 2014.
DevInfo (UN endorsed database system for development monitoring): DevInfo 72 Hour Crosscutting Assessment Form, 2006. Available at http://www.devinfo.org/. Accessed April 3, 2014.
Interagency Standing Committee (IASC): Initial Rapid Assessment (IRA), 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2011. Available at http://www.who.int/hac/network/global_health_cluster/ira_guidance_note_june2009.pdf; http://www.who.int/hac/network/global_health_cluster/ira_form_v2_9_eng.pdf. Accessed April 3, 2014.
International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC); Field Assessment and Coordination Teams (FACT): Guidelines for assessment in emergencies, 2008. Available at http://www.ifrc.org/Global/Publications/disasters/guidelines/guidelines-for-emergencyen.pdf. Accessed April 3, 2014.
International Federation of the Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); Disaster Services Department: Disaster response 2010 updates: Mission assistant CD, 2010. 24-Hour Assessment Form. Geneva: IFRC.
International Federation of the Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); Disaster Services Department: Disaster response 2010 updates: Mission assistant CD, 2010. 72-Hour Assessment Form. Geneva: IFRC.
The SPHERE Project: The SPHERE project: Humanitarian charter and minimum standards in disaster response. Geneva: The Sphere Project, 2011 Available at http://www.sphereproject.org/resources/. Accessed April 3, 2014.
UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR): Handbook for emergencies, 3rd ed. Geneva: United Nations, 2007. Available at http://www.unhcr.org/publ/PUBL/471db4c92.html. Accessed April 3, 2014.
UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) & the World Food Program (WFP): Joint Assessment Mission (JAM). Joint Assessment Mission (JAM) guidelines, 2008. Available at http://www.unhcr.org/45f81d2f2.html. Accessed April 3, 2014.
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC): UNDAC field handbook, 2006. Available at http://ochaonline.un.org/Coordination/FieldCoordinationSupportSection/UNDACSystem/Handbook/tabid/1432/language/en-US/Default.aspx. Accessed April 3, 2014.
Borysowich C: Overview of functional decomposition. Available at http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/enterprise-solutions/overview-of-functional-decomposition-14609. Accessed April 3, 2014.
Cowan NM: Humanitarian geospatial data model. Available at https://sites.google.com/a/gwmail.gwu.edu/the-humanitarian-datamodel/.Accessed April 3, 2014.
Spatial Networks: Fulcrum by spatial networks. Available at http://fulcrumapp.com/. Accessed April 3, 2014.
Creswell JW: Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Method Approaches, 3rd ed. California: Sage, 2009.
Trochim W, Donnelly JP: The Research Methods Knowledge Base, 3rd ed. Mason, OH: Atomi4c Dog, 2006.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright 2007-2023, Weston Medical Publishing, LLC and Journal of Emergency Management. All Rights Reserved
