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Geographic Information for UNHCR Operations: Meeting on Cartography and Geographic Information Science

This presentation discusses the importance of geographic information within UNHCR operations, including the creation of a Geographic/Mapping Unit and the achievements and ongoing activities of the unit. It also highlights lessons learned from past operations and the need for updated and detailed geographic information.

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Geographic Information for UNHCR Operations: Meeting on Cartography and Geographic Information Science

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  1. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION WITHIN UNHCR Meeting on Cartography and Geographic Information Science UN HQ, New York 28-30 March 2000 Jean Yves Bouchardy, Head GIS/Mapping Unit UNHCR Geneva

  2. BACKGROUND • IT IS A RECENT PROCESS: • Project initiated in 1994 • Creation of a Geographic/Mapping Unit in 1999 • 2 staffs and one consultant… plus consultants in the field

  3. WHY Geographic Information is essential within refugee operations?

  4. Places of origin HCR presence Refugees/IDPs Camps Entry points

  5. Have obvious geographical dimensions • Are core components of UNHCR operations • but are LOST in various reporting systems

  6. OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF THE UNIT • Address and identify the needs regarding geographical information within UNHCR operations, (especially within emergency situations) • Provide technical support (Field and HQ) • Improve Inter-Agency cooperation • Increase awareness among UNHCR staff

  7. ACHIEVEMENTS • UNHCR is the lead agency regarding GIS and RS applied to refugee operations • Fully operational geographical and environmental database for Field and HQ support (i.e. refugee camps database, UNEP, FAO, etc..) • UNHCR is a core member of the UN GIS working group (GIST). The aim of the group is to address geographic information needs and coordinate Inter-agency efforts during humanitarian operations (Kosovo/HCIC)

  8. CURRENT ACTIVITIES • ENVIREF EU (Nansen Center, Norway) • FRAME (FFEM) • World Bank (DRC) • GDIN (US State Dept) • Technical agreement between HCR and WFP for GIS activities

  9. SHORT TERM STRATEGY • Development of regional GIS “coordinators” to address geographic information at field level • to collect primary data needed for the operations • to reinforce geographic component whithin UNHCR programmes • to improve coordination at field level

  10. APPLICATIONS

  11. EMERGENCIES

  12. PCode

  13. LESSONS LEARNED FROM KOSOVO • Coordination is an essential key for success • Geographic information’s needs should be addressed at the earliest stage of an operation, ideally during the contingency phase • Collection of primary data, including precise geographical location of the places surveyed is crucial .. but extremely difficult to put in place.. • Standardization of geographic information (Pcode) is essential to allow communication between actors (common plateform) • Data Quality/Accuracy should be aimed at

  14. REPATRIATIONPLACES OF ORIGIN

  15. COORDINATIONIMPLEMENTINGPARTNERSWho is Working Where in which Domain of Activity

  16. Needs Assessment Monitoring and compliance

  17. CAMP PLANNING

  18. Shelter Country Offices Blocks Database Map

  19. RIVER BANK EROSION CAMP PLANNING SCHOOLS

  20. ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

  21. LOCATION OF UNHCR REFUGEE SITES AND POTENTIAL DEGRADED AREAS IN GOMA (ZAIRE) UNHCR ENVIRONMENTAL DATABASE Image SPOT. 4,3,2 date 08 / 07 / 96

  22. EVOLUTION OF DEFORESTATION FOR 3 DATES (KIBUMBA CAMP)1987 1994 1995-96 REFUGEE CAMP DEGRADED FOREST FOREST

  23. DEFORESTATIONIN JHAPA AREA 1991 1997

  24. INTERNATIONALSTANDARDSECURITY ISSUE

  25. Refugee Locations < 50km < 10 km < 5 km

  26. PI AND DONORS

  27. Now ... Before...

  28. NEEDS • UPDATED AND DETAILED INFORMATION ON • INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARIES • ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT • VILLAGES/SETTLEMENTS (PCODES) • PLUS ADDITIONAL THEMATIC DATA...

  29. CONSTAINTS • TIMELY ACCESS TO DETAILED (25.000) AND RELIABLE DATA • INTERNAL PROCESS WITHIN UN AGENCIES REGARDING PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION, STORAGE AND ANALYSES.. We need to deploy Information Managers • RESOURCES

  30. CONCLUSIONS • GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION… • CREATES A COMMON LANGUAGE AMONG PARTNERS (“one good map is equivalent to 1000 words”) • ADDRESS THE NEEDS AND IMPROVES DATA COLLECTION PROCESSES • IMPROVES COORDINATION AMONG THE ACTORS • ALLOWS THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY (keeps track of activities)

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