海外发展研究所-数字测绘和人道主义应急工作的纳入（英）-2021.10-50页_2mb

Digital Mapping and Inclusion in Humanitarian Response

Core Content

This paper by John Bryant explores the role of digital mapping in humanitarian response, focusing on the concept of inclusion. It highlights both the potential and the challenges of using digital mapping tools to ensure that all affected populations are represented and have access to information and services. The study is part of the Humanitarian Policy Group's 2019-2022 Integrated Programme of research.

Main Points

1. The Importance of Digital Mapping in Humanitarian Crises

• Digital mapping is a critical tool in contemporary humanitarian responses, enhancing situational awareness, coordination, and understanding of needs.
• It helps in monitoring key services, predicting the impact of hazards, and identifying areas where humanitarian action is most needed.
• Maps are increasingly used to support advocacy and improve the effectiveness of aid delivery.

2. Challenges to Inclusion

• Visibility as Inclusion: Digital mapping can help make people visible, which is essential for improving public services and accountability.
• Accessibility and Distance: While digital mapping can increase accessibility, it may also create a sense of distance between those who create maps and those who are mapped, potentially reinforcing exclusive dynamics.
• Data Responsibility: The collection and use of geolocated data raise concerns about how it is managed, and the risk of further exclusion or harm if not handled responsibly.

3. Participation and Diversification in Mapping

• Crowdsourcing and open-source platforms like OpenStreetMap (OSM) have expanded the reach and inclusivity of mapping efforts.
• However, volunteer mapmakers are still predominantly from Western Europe and North America, which can limit the diversity of perspectives and data sources.
• Participatory mapping initiatives, such as those in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, demonstrate the value of involving local communities in the mapping process.

4. Case Study: Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

• Mapping efforts in Cox's Bazar have shown how digital tools can support inclusive humanitarian action.
• Early mapping was criticized for being too technical and lacking local participation, highlighting the need for more community engagement.
• The use of "messy maps" that incorporate local knowledge and subjective experiences can challenge traditional, top-down approaches to mapping.

5. Tensions and Trade-offs

• Digital mapping can represent more people, but this raises questions about consent and participation.
• There are tensions between viewing maps as objective tools for analysis or as a means to understand and respond to lived realities.
• The sector must be cautious about the potential for misuse of data, especially as more actors (including for-profit entities) enter the mapping space.

6. Future Directions for Inclusive Mapmaking

• Inclusive mapping requires more than just technical accuracy; it demands a deeper engagement with affected communities and a recognition of their perspectives.
• The inclusion of diverse viewpoints in mapping can lead to new uses and audiences for these tools, including advocacy and digital rights.
• However, the scale and pace of digital mapping development may outstrip the ability of humanitarian actors to ensure long-term inclusivity and sustainability.

Key Information

• Digital mapping is now a standard part of humanitarian operations, often used to guide response efforts and improve coordination.
• Inclusion in mapping refers to ensuring that all affected people have the right to information, protection, and assistance, regardless of their identity or status.
• Open-source platforms like OSM and initiatives such as "Missing Maps" are playing a growing role in promoting inclusivity and community participation.
• Participatory mapping has a long history, but its potential is still being realized in the context of digital tools and global collaboration.
• The humanitarian sector is increasingly reliant on digital technologies, which can both enhance and complicate efforts to ensure inclusivity and responsible data use.

Conclusion

Digital mapping has the potential to transform humanitarian response by making affected populations more visible and enabling more informed decision-making. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that this process is inclusive, participatory, and respectful of the rights and perspectives of those being mapped. The paper calls for a more nuanced understanding of the role of mapping in humanitarian contexts and advocates for a shift toward more inclusive and community-driven approaches.