UK, 12 Dec – MapAction would like to thank all its supporters for contributing to the Big Give Christmas Challenge this December. So far £8,531 has been raised for its Rapid Response Fund, which will be channelled into its emergency mapping service.

Matched funds will remain available until 19 December (subject to availability), so it’s not too late to take part. If you would like to make a contribution, please visit http://new.thebiggive.org.uk/project/mapaction. Every £1 donated could be worth £2.25 with matched giving and Gift Aid. Thank you.

MANILA, 3 Dec - 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.

There are concerns that this could result in floods and landslides amongst communities that are still recovering from the devastating impact of Tropical Storm Sendong, which hit northern Mindanao in December of last year and led to a MapAction deployment. Some responders believe that Pablo could develop into a super-typhoon and cause even more destruction than Sendong, which killed more than 1,250 people and displaced nearly three quarters of a million.

Nigel Woof, MapAction’s Chief Executive commented: “It's unusual for MapAction to deploy a team before the disaster has actually hit, but this means we will be on the scene and ready to help as soon as the storm passes through. We got the call for assistance from the UN on Saturday and were able to have our team in the air by Sunday evening. One volunteer arrived in Manila this morning from Bangkok, where she is based. Another is flying from the UK and will arrive later today. They will initially work from Manila to help map the needs of communities, but may travel to affected regions once the size and shape of the impact is clearer.”

This is MapAction’s third emergency mission to the Philippines. In addition to its deployment a year ago for Sendong, the charity also assisted after severe storms in 2009. As before, MapAction will work closely with the Filipino national disaster management agency, United Nations and other responders to help coordinate whatever response is needed to Typhoon Pablo.

Follow link for Philippines map catalogue

UK, 29 Nov – Here at MapAction, we know from our own experience in more than thirty humanitarian crises that disaster preparedness can save lives. Beyond our six emergency deployments so far in 2012, we have also made seven capacity-building trips worldwide and delivered training on another 15 short courses and modules.

We know that when a disaster strikes, responders need immediate access to the best available map data. Alongside this, national disaster management agencies need to be able to produce situation maps that help to steer aid in the vital early stages of a new emergency. With that aim, MapAction has been working in vulnerable countries in sub-Saharan Africa, in collaboration with the Southern Africa Development Community and the United Nations in the region, to train national staff in the use of free and open-source GIS tools, involving work in Kenya and Zambia. A staff member also took part in a national disaster preparedness capacity assessment in Nigeria.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a two-stage pilot project has been completed with partners of the international NGO CAFOD. The project aims to provide appropriate low- or no-cost tools for local NGOs to map the indicators of re-emergent conflict, and to use that data for the prevention of conflict and to advocate for change. One of CAFOD’s partners commented on our initial scoping exercise:“MapAction were very patient [...] and got partners to spend half a day learning to use Google Earth, it was very empowering. We had a discussion which identified the key target audience and then what the best mapping applications would be – we now have a clearer plan.”

We also provided training for disaster responders in Dominica, and are planning a trip to transfer advanced GIS skills to UN humanitarian information management professionals in the central Asian region in December.

"Helping to grow capacity for disaster and conflict resilience is something we're well equipped to do. We can draw on our own direct experience in disaster response to help partners use the growing toolkit of free GIS software, and to prepare their data resources. So they can be ready for the day they hope won't come, but which so often does in vulnerable parts of the world." Nigel Woof, MapAction Chief Executive.

Almost all our capacity-building and training work is funded out of our core resources, rather than receiving special grants. If you are interested in supporting MapAction’s disaster preparedness work, please contact us via email or call Chloe on 01494 56 88 99.

UK, 7 Nov – MapAction has been lucky enough to secure guaranteed places in the Virgin London Marathon for next April. You can find out more about what it means to join Team MapAction and register your interest at - www.mapaction.org/marathon.

Places are limited, so please register by Monday 19 November to be in with a chance of joining Team MapAction!

UK, 17 Oct – You can raise money for MapAction at no cost to yourself. Give As You Live is a clever little widget that raises money for MapAction while you shop online. Big brands including Amazon, John Lewis, M&S, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and play.com have signed up to donate when you buy from their online stores.

So with only 68 shopping days until Christmas, why not sign up today and start fundraising for free?

It’s really quick and easy to set up. All you need do is register some very basic information and you’re off! Each time you visit a Give As You Live retailer, just click on the GAYL logo and you’ll be raising money for MapAction through your everyday purchases.

Register for your GAYL account at: www.giveasyoulive.com/join/mapaction and start fundraising for free today!