June 17, 2007

Ugandan Displaced join Somali Refugees in Google Earth

Maybe they could form a support group? I know, I know, that’s not the sort of thing we’re supposed to joke about.

Yan Rebois of CartONG has written to let me know that their displaced mapping project with UNHCR is now public, an interesting application based on Google Maps, for general use by humanitarian organisations. Although it requires a log-in to edit anything, you can view the information without any authorisation.

The application maps the locations and background information on the displaced communities that UNHCR and partner agencies are working with in Uganda, centred around Gulu, which makes sense. It’s specifically listed as “operation information” rather than a public information (i.e. not just another press release).

Now what’s interesting about this application is not that it’s being used to map displaced people - we’ve seen that before, as my earlier posts showed. It’s that behind each of the locations, as well as the obvious geographic information, you get a link to a narrative Return Monitoring Site Report, which is far more useful for everybody.

It appears that the data will largely be updated by UNHCR, possibly with the assistance of its operational partners, which would be fantastic if they can manage it. However for me this raises some interesting questions about data security on the site – for example, I can see who the “community leader” is quite easily on the reports I downloaded, which might have security implications.

That’s a minor concern though – the main issue is whether this project can be shown to add value to the work being done with the displaced, as well as giving outside observers a better chance to see the scale of the problem in northern Uganda, which is massively under-reported in the media, while all eyes are on Darfur.

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Filed under Conflict, Databases, GIS, Humanitarian, M&E, NGO, Uganda, United Nations, Web by Paul Currion

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Comments on Ugandan Displaced join Somali Refugees in Google Earth »

June 22, 2007

liban mohommed @ 8:17 am

i’m liban mohommed i live at camp inwestern uganda i’m in desperation i have no anything i have refugee card my number is 1044732 i’m great pressing need fo any assist, any harbouring and any resettlement so please have mercy on me thank you very much

July 9, 2007

Paul Currion @ 7:02 am

Hi Liban Mohommed,

Very sorry to hear about your problems. There is very little I can do from the position of this blog. Can you explain your situation a little more? If you have a ration card, are you receiving assistance from UNHCR or any NGOs? If you are not receiving assistance, where is the block stopping you?

August 4, 2007
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Ugandan IDP project « Stumbling block and folly @ 3:12 pm

[…] Aug 4th, 2007 by ddigest Ugandan Displaced join Somali Refugees in Google Earth […]

August 11, 2007

hassam warsame @ 8:23 pm

I’m hassan warsame kainan somali refugee live at nakivale refugee settlement
my mandate number is 335-05H00306
I’m here requesting assistance if nay,because every body can imagine the condition in camp.
THANKS IN ADVANCE.

August 12, 2007

Paul Currion @ 12:53 pm

Hi Hassan Warsame Kainan, It seems that Uganda is well-served by internet cafes! There’s very little I can do except pass your details on to colleagues working in Uganda, but I’m posting your comment so that if anybody else sees it they can respond.

November 7, 2007

abdi abdulle @ 12:28 pm

I’m abdi abdulle hasan somali refugee live at nakivale refugee settlement in uganda
my card no is 1160932
I’m here
equesting assistance ifanyecause every body can imagine the condition in camp.my e-mail is refugeeman@live.com and my tel:0782137469
THANKS IN ADVANCE.

January 14, 2008

ZAINAB MOHAMED AHMED @ 9:32 am

Hullo iam aSomalian refugee living in uganda with my parents in NAKIVALE camp, my cry is about education.Schools in ug are expensive my parents cant afford to pay. please help

April 21, 2008

hassan @ 7:05 pm

hi hassan warsame i am very sorry to hear about how u live in uganda refugee camp.but sure UN will help u wait take ur time

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