Deployment Catalogue
Myanmar, May 2013
Sign up for daily map alerts
Central African Republic, January 2013
MapAction has deployed two volunteers to Yaounde, Cameroon, at the request of UNICEF to support with the response to the ongoing violence and insecurity in the Central African Republic (CAR).Sign up for daily map alerts
Syria, January 2013
For a full page of Syria resources click here
Philippines, December 2012
A team of two MapAction volunteers has deployed to the Philippines in readiness for Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) which is heading straight towards the country from the western Pacific. The deployment arose from a request from the United Nations’ Disaster Assessment and Coordination team. Recent reports indicate the typhoon is producing sustained winds of 114 mph and gusts of up to 124 mph. According to Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the typhoon is expected to make landfall over Surigao del Norte on Tuesday morning and affect Mindanao, Visayas, areas in Southern Tagalog and Metro Manila.Sign up for daily map alerts.
Guatemala Earthquake, November 2012
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the Pacific coast of Guatemala on 07 Nov 2012, killing at least 39 people, injuring another 155 and destroying scores of homes. 100 people may be missing in the disaster. According to the government 17,000 people have been affected.
Paraguay Floods, June 2012
The worst floods for more than a decade began in April. They have left thousands of families in scattered rural communities in urgent need of emergency food and other help after the floods devastated crops and livestock.
Comoros Flooding, April 2012
Torrential rain has been battering the Comoros Islands in the Indian Ocean since 20 April, causing heavy flooding and landslides. A State of Emergency has been called.
Madagascar Floods, March 2012
Madagascar has been hit by its second killer storm of the season. Tropical Storm Irina caused 65 deaths, most of them residents of the Ifanadiana district in the southeast of the island, and affected more than 70,000 people in all. Most casualties have been caused by landslides and flooding, following heavy rainfall. In February Tropical Storm Giovanna also hit the island, claiming the lives of 35 people, injuring 284 and leaving a further 250,000 people affected by its impact. MapAction is deploying a team of volunteers at the request of the Madagascar Government’s National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management, to boost the agency’s own GIS capability which is working at full stretch responding to the two large-scale events, with more rains forecast.
Brazzaville, March 2012
Following devastating explosions in a munitions depot in the Congolese capital on 4 March, MapAction deployed a team of two volunteers to help map the needs of those affected. Much of the work focused on the demining work being completed by the International Demining teams, producing sectors maps to aid the searching and coordination and recording the locations of ordnance found.
Sahel, February 2012
A severe food crisis is forecast to strike the Sahel region of West Africa later in 2012, potentially affecting 7 to 10 million people in eight countries (Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon). Low rainfall, poor harvests and high food prices are making communities vulnerable to extreme malnutrition. The number of children dying from nutrition-related causes is already estimated at more than 490,000 per year. A team of MapAction volunteers have deployed to assist in preparedness mapping with UNICEF in Senegal.Further resources for the Sahel Crisis can be found on the following page - Sahel Resources.
Philippines, January 2012
Cyclone Washi/Sendong in late 2011 caused more than 1,250 deaths and displaced more nearly three quarters of a million people in the southern Philippines. The mounting scale of response by the end of December led to a request for support from MapAction.
Nicaragua, October 2011
Torrential rain from Tropical Depression 12-E has caused extensive flooding across Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. Damage to roads and infrastructure from landslides has left many communities cut off from help. A United Nations disaster assessment team was mobilised on Wednesday 19 October to assist in Nicaragua, where the government declared a state of emergency after more than 130,000 people were reported as affected. A MapAction team was requested to support the UN mission.
Cote d'Ivoire, April 2011
Two MapAction team members are en route to Bouake in central Cote d’Ivoire. They are deploying in support of a UN assessment team tasked with obtaining a clear picture of humanitarian needs in the conflict-torn country. The call to support the United Nations mission came after reported further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis that have been triggered by sustained and intense fighting in the main city Abidjan, and politically motivated violence in other parts of the country.
Japan, March 2011
On Friday 11th March, a 8.9 earthquake struck 130 kilometres off the east coast of the Oshika Peninsula, Tōhoku, Japan. The resulting earthquake caused a tsunami which hit the east coast of Japan causing widespread damage.
Libya, March 2011
MapAction teams are deploying to assist with the humanitarian crisis in Libya. One team is flying to Tunisia, another to Egypt. Getting the right aid to people across and beyond the Libyan territories poses a huge challenge of humanitarian intelligence gathering, planning and logistics for the international aid agencies gearing up within the region. Both the MapAction teams will gather and communicate vital information about the rapidly changing humanitarian picture within Libya and at its borders, where more than 150,000 people have already crossed into neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt.
Saint Lucia, November 2010
Hurricane Tomas moved through the Caribbean region in early November. Saint Lucia was the worst affected island as Tomas crashed through the Lesser Antilles chain. Fifteen people died as the hurricane caused devastation right across the island. Landslides have blocked many roads, cutting off many settlements including the town of Soufriere. Agriculture has been devastated, threatening rural livelihoods. A national disaster was declared as work has begun to bring humanitarian relief and commence recovery.
Pakistan Floods, August 2010
A MapAction team has deployed to Pakistan with a UN disaster response coordination mission. They are providing situation mapping support for international agencies NGOs in the current flooding emergency. A list of some of the resources that have been used for this emergency can be found here - Pakistan Resources. Further maps can be found on the UNOCHA Pakistan Response website.
Pakistan Landslide, January 2010
MapAction helped to alleviate risks of a potential flood catastrophe in mountainous northern Pakistan. The charity was approached by NGO leaders in Pakistan seeking assistance with risk and emergency planning mapping in the Hunza district where a mountain landslide earlier this year dammed the Hunza River creating a lake. Rising water levels are now threatening to breach the dam, putting 45,000 people at risk from an outburst flood.Please note: As the input data does not allow an detailed simulation, the results and the maps should be considered as a rough estimate only.
Haiti Earthquake, January 2010
A MapAction team left the UK the day after the earthquake struck and is working in Port-au-Prince to support relief coordination. Their maps have been crucial during the search and rescue phase on the ground. They are now creating a shared operational picture for relief deliveries.
Albania Flooding, January 2010
Continuous rainfall during November and December 2009 has led to water levels in the lakes and on the Drini River rising. As a result, the Shkodra and Lezha regions have been flooded since 27 December 2009. MapAction was requested by the EU-MIC to assist in flooding assessments in Northern Albania on Friday 8th January 2010.
El Salvador Flooding, November 2009
On the evening of Saturday 7th November, as much as 340mm of rain fell upon parts of El Salvador over a four hour period, causing flash flooding and landslides. The areas most affected were in the San Salvador and San Vicente Departments. The Pacific low pressure weather front responsible for the rain was thought to have interacted with nearby Hurricane Ida, holding the system in one specific area whilst causing the heavy downpours. Two MapAction deployed for 10 days to assist with the relief operations.
Sumatra Earthquake, September 2009
Following two earthquakes of 7.6 and 6.9 near the city of Padang on the Indonesian Island of Sumatra on Wednesday 30 September 2009. Four MapAction volunteers are deploying following a request from UNOCHA. Three team members deployed from the UK, with one of the team members redeploying from the Manila, Philippines following the aftermath of Typhoon Ketsana. This is MapAction’s seventh emergency mission of the year.
Philippines Typhoons, September 2009
Following a request from the United Nations in the region, MapAction is deploying a team to Manila to assist with information management and mapping. The team flies out from the UK on Monday 28 September and will provide situation information for national and international aid agencies responding to the emergency.Nigel Woof, the MapAction team leader, commented: “Manila has clearly suffered huge damage and disruption. Despite the Philippines’ generally high level of disaster preparedness international help is likely to be vital in this emergency.”This is MapAction’s fourth deployment to a flooding disaster so far in 2009.
Burkina Faso Flooding, September 2009
Heavy rains fell on Ouagadougou on 1 September, causing flash floods that have affected some 109,000 people and destroyed property and other infrastructure. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced. Other damage includes blocked roads, flooded and/or collapsed houses, public infrastructure such a main hospital under water. Health officials fear the outbreak of water-borne diseases such as cholera.
Benin Flooding, July 2009
Flooding in southern Benin has affected, according to early reports, 20,000 or more people in 43 communities. The government has requested international assistance and a UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teamis being mobilised to the scene. The UN requested a MapAction team to deploy in support, and two emergency mapping volunteers are preparing to fly out from the UK over the weekend of 11/12 July.
Pakistan IDP Emergency, June 2009
Clashes between Pakistan forces and the Taliban in the north-west of the country have caused more than 2 million people to flee the fighting. This has created a humanitarian crisis with hundreds of thousands of people in desperate need of basics including shelter, clean water and food. MapAction was requested by United Nations agencies to support international relief coordination. MapAction volunteers began to deploy to Pakistan on 2 June.
Sri Lanka Post-Conflict Recovery, June 2009
In the aftermath of the conflict in northern Sri Lanka, the landmine action NGO MAG has asked for MapAction's help in the country. MapAction deployed a small team on 8 June to assist in setting up mapping systems to enable analysis of landmine and unexploded ordnance risks. The aim is to enable people displaced by the conflict in the north of the country to return home safely.
Lesotho Food Insecurity, October 2003
MapAction surveyed and mapped emergency food distribution logistics infrastructure in south-west Lesotho including delivery points and routes. This was carried out ahead of the crop failures that resulted in chronic food insecurity which still persists in the country.
Namibia Flooding, March 2009
In March 2009 flooding affected a substantial part of the northern Namibia and the Caprivi Strip. The Zambesi river reached 7 metres above normal level, its highest since 1962. More than 400,000 people were affected. A MapAction team deployed to assist the joint UNDAC and EU-MIC humanitarian assessment operation.
Haiti Tropical Storms, September 2008
Hurricane Ike and other tropical storms brought devastating flooding affecting more than 800,000 people in Haiti and devastating the northern city of Gonaïves. To support humanitarian relief coordination, MapAction despatched an emergency mapping team.
China Earthquake, May 2008
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Sichuan province in China on 12 May 2008.
Tropical Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar, May 2008
Throughout May, the MapAction team worked in support of the UN OCHA regional office and Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU) in Bangkok. It operated as an integral component of a rapidly-assembled 'community' of emergency information management and coordination experts deployed by UN and other agencies.
Bolivia Flooding, January 2008
A team was mobilised in two stages to Bolivia at the request of UN OCHA, to respond to severe flooding affecting about 24,000 people across much of the country. The team was deployed forward, from La Paz, with the UNDAC team to the east (Santa Cruz) and north of the country; in Trinidad city they surveyed and charted the rising water levels which had already made thousands homeless and threatened many more. Situation maps, updated several times daily, steered evacuation planning and identified campsite locations for displaced people.
Mexico Flooding, November 2007
At the request of UN OCHA, MapAction deployed an emergency mapping team to Mexico City and to Tabasco province whch had been severely affected by exceptional seasonal rainfall. Most of the city of Villahermosa was under water, and tens of thousands of people were at risk from disease. A lack of access to government-controlled situation data constrained the mapping output from this mission.
Hurricane Noel, Dominican Republic, November 2007
MapAction sent a team to Dominican Republic in response to a request from UN OCHA to support an UNDAC mission. This followed severe flooding caused by the transit of Hurricane Noel, which left dozens of villages cut off and severely affected rural livelihoods. The MapAction mission was extended at UN request.
Ghana Flooding, September 2007
An UNDAC team was sent to Ghana in response to severe flooding that affected much of the north of the country. A MapAction team deployed to support them. The team was based in Tamale, from which assessment missions were mounted by road and air over a wide area. Situation maps were produced and distributed to relief agencies operating in country as well as to donor organisations.
Hurricane Dean, Jamaica, August 2007
MapAction deployed in support of the UNDAC team to Jamaica, arriving the morning following the impact of Hurricane Dean, a category 4 storm. En route, the team produced vulnerability maps predicting the areas likely to be affected by storm surge. Once in Jamaica they took part in a number of rapid assessment operations in severely damaged settlements along the south coast of the island. They also worked with the UNDAC team to analyse assessment data and produced situation maps for national and international responding agencies.
United Kingdom Flooding, July 2007
Severe flooding affected large areas of western and southern England during July 2007. MapAction assisted with overview mapping for responding agencies.
Pakistan Flooding, July 2007
Severe flooding affected more than 1 million people in south-western Pakistan during July 2007. A MapAction team member deployed in support of UN Joint Logistics Centre (see www.unjlc.org for map products).

