Every day folks use “open” to have an effect of their world. The Türkiye and Syria Earthquake Response consists of over 9,000 folks modifying OpenStreetMap (OSM), companions offering open licensed satellite tv for pc imagery, folks producing and utilizing open information, all collaborating throughout open supply instruments, just like the Tasking Manager. Having essentially the most up-to-date and correct map information helps humanitarian organizations and civil societies navigate the catastrophe areas, coordinate response, and conduct harm assessments. The OSM information is shared on the Humanitarian Data Exchange and is used to develop info administration (IM) merchandise for decision-makers. Some of the examples of data merchandise are shared on these two open supply constructed platforms: The Deep and the IFRC GO platform. Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) and the worldwide OSM neighborhood are integral by connecting native communities and humanitarian organizations to pressing info.
A message despatched by Dr Çevik, a Turkish surgeon treating folks injured by the earthquake in Turkey, mentioned (translated):
“In the primary day I went to Reyhaniye, when Google Maps was not working, Organic Maps guided us. The significance of such instruments is gigantic. Good luck to you! —Can 🔥 natural maps 🔥
OpenStreetMap and Organic Maps, a free privacy-focused fork of Maps.Me, have been utilized in conjunction for localized response.
Dr. Uçum from Kahramanmaraş talking about how maps from OSM data have helped logistics and operations in the camps. The maps have been subsequently utilized by native authorities to help planning and infrastructure within the camp web site.
How we coordinated
None of this occurred over night time. The success of OSM being built-in into a big scale energetic response is because of years of socialization and training on the a part of OSM communities in Türkiye and past. Yer Çizenler, an area NGO throughout the OSM Türkiye neighborhood aiming to lift consciousness on open information and open mapping within the nation, activated neighborhood mapping, and has coordinated with HOT because the early hours following the earthquake. For Syria, mapping and coordination is extra complicated as a result of it is an ongoing battle zone. HOT is working intently with OSM colleagues and companions to evaluate HOT duties in Syria fastidiously. Precautions are taken to do no hurt.
HOT’s workflow includes rendering satellite tv for pc imagery into small duties that are managed within the HOT Tasking Manager. These tasking supervisor duties have been created based mostly on the preliminary response assessments. Further information about harm within the prolonged space led to creation of newer duties. Community outreach and the decision to motion began. Tasks proceed to evolve as wanted with associate organizations.
Initially, nationwide and worldwide organizations contacted the OSM groups. Next, coordination and communication networks have been shaped for information and knowledge sharing. Yer Çizenler and HOT began contacting imaging suppliers (resembling ITU CSCRS) for post-event imagery availability. All satellite tv for pc imagery with Creative Commons license are uploaded to OpenAerialMap, an open information platform by HOT to share information freely. Additionally, Help.NGO supported the neighborhood by importing drone photos taken from the sector. Thanks to free and open software program, neighborhood members resembling folks from Kontur (disaster ninja), Iconem (search-satellite-imagery), and leafmap (OAM update), integrations to downstream functions are rapidly tailored to extend information accessibility and value.
A nationwide volunteer neighborhood consisting of greater than 1,200 folks gathered through the first week following the occasion. Mapping duties have been supported with day by day “mapathons” guided by the native communities. Overall, in only one month the worldwide OSM neighborhood contributors have been 8,414 people, including mappers from every region.
Additional datasets with ODBL suitable licenses gathered, organized modifying actions led to boost the OSM database with collapsed buildings, short-term shelter areas, pharmacies, well being establishments, bakeries, supermarkets, groceries, and so forth.
Open organizations evolve over years
Key members and founders of Yer Cizenler first linked with OSM and humanitarian mapping following the Erciş earthquake in 2011. Over the next decade, they’ve organized workshops and mapathons with the mapping and tech communities of Turkey to construct consciousness and broaden the OSM person base the place the neighborhood primarily consisted of particular person contributors with out a lot coordination. Open organizations take time to develop. Can and Orkut represented and linked the OSM-TR neighborhood with universities, governmental organizations, skilled chambers, and different open communities in Turkey.
They additionally linked with the worldwide OSM neighborhood by way of the State of the Map annual conferences, WeeklyOSM conferences, and HOT.
Yer Çizenler was based in 2017 with a purpose to arrange a authorized entity throughout the TR neighborhood. That adopted with partnership with HOT on a number of discipline tasks till 2021. Yer Çizenler presently operates as an open mapping volunteer group, coordinating with civil actors, advocating open information and open mapping in Turkey. These efforts to advocate for open methodologies, open information, and open supply laid the groundwork for the response.
As it’s an energetic humanitarian response, the workforce is targeted on coordinating with humanitarian and civil society organizations. In the approaching weeks and months, their consideration is on supporting the energetic response and interesting the volunteer neighborhood to be a part of OSM-TR neighborhood. Additionally, they’re engaged in steady trainings, mapathons, talks, and extra.
One long run objective of Yer Cizenler is the documentation of its open workflows, with classes from this response highlighting the right way to incorporate open supply, open information, and open methodologies. There’s a lot to study on the right way to ship interoperable and open options throughout emergencies to fulfill desperately vital velocity and high quality of service. Please be at liberty to share extra examples within the feedback.
