Collaborative mapping may provide critical support to victims of natural disasters

When Typhoon Hayan approached the coast of the Philippines, teams from the Humanitarian Open Street Map Team (HOT) rushed to map precisely the cities and regions that would be affected by the disaster. Copyright-free, these maps can be used, spread and copied at will.

Collaborative mapping offers greater reactivity, the kind that large private groups cannot offer, and can facilitate the rescue work on site by providing critical information: damaged or destroyed buildings, safe water sources, passable and impassable roads, inaccessible villages, hospitals or makeshift camps, etc.