Refugee/Displaced Site Mapping
A displacement site, usually known as a refugee camp, is a human settlement sheltering people who have been displaced due to violence, conflict, persecution or disasters. When displaced people cross an international border to seek safety, they are referred to as refugees and/or asylum-seekers. Displaced people can also flee to other locations within a country’s border, in this case, they are referred to as internally displaced people (IDPs).
To reflect this diversity of profiles, including often within the same facility, and the variety of types of locations (from a formal camp to distributed residences in an urban area), the proper terminology is therefore “displacement site”. However, in everyday vocabulary “refugee camp” being used much more widely, this article refers to both.
Though meant to be temporary, many sites around the world have existed for years, or even decades. sites hosting over a hundred thousand displaced people are not uncommon. They are usually built and run by governments, United Nations agencies or other international organizations and NGOs, but spontaneous sites also exist, and, in some situations may even consist of the majority of displacement sites in a country. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN agency mandated to aid and protect refugees, internally displaced communities, and stateless people, plays a key role in the overall coordination and referencing of refugee sites.
With multiple actors supporting humanitarian response in some locations, having a common reference for addressing can aid communication and coordination. Using OSM is a low-tech, low-investment option for humanitarian actors. It offers a shared base reference system, but also allows decentralization. Actors and agencies can maintain and verify their own information, while still benefiting from a shared collective data repository from which to draw, and hence participating in the improvement of the overall efficiency and sustainability of information management of sites hosting displaced populations.
Before mapping any refugee site, ensure coordination with other actors within the humanitarian community, as to avoid duplication of efforts, assessment fatigue, safety and security issues, unnecessary burden on affected communities or any other risk of doing harm. While maps provide numerous advantages to delivering aid, the safety of the residents must come first. In some situations, managing data locally and not collecting it in OSM is the safest.
Why mapping sites hosting displaced populations on OSM?
Improving availability and quality of OSM data on displacement sites around the world, helps support humanitarian response:
- OSM allows for open data on refugee sites to be quickly shared between humanitarian actors at the field and global levels as well as with local communities.
- OSM can serve as a base map for agencies to download for field use with their own local data or specific site management tools and processes offline.
- OSM database can serve as a common data repository, increasing data availability and access for the production of maps and spatial analysis that support decision-making and programming, ultimately contributing to the improvement of living conditions of displaced populations. Use cases for OSM data with high positive impact on displaced populations include planning camp extensions, filling the gap of access to basic services, identifying the most suitable area for the construction of new facilities, etc.
Tagging
Below is a recommended data model built from past experiences of site mapping (cf. case studies section) which has been crosschecked and validated by UNHCR. The following set of tags is not exhaustive, but covers the most common and useful information and objects present in a displacement site. Not all are needed, but as many as possible (when known) should be used.
Refugee site location
Human settlement sheltering refugees and/or internally displaced persons The site should be a polygon covering the perimeter of the camp. If perimeter is unknown, use a point instead, or a polygon with a fixme="Check site boundary" with the best estimation of the site.
| Categories | Name | Key | Value | Tag status | Wiki hyperlink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Displaced people site location | refugee site | amenity | refugee_site | approved | tag:amenity=refugee_site |
| landuse | residential | de facto | tag:landuse=residential | ||
| name (usually in local language) | name | <value> | de facto | Key:name | |
| Site description | english name (Use ISO code for other languages (fr, el, ar, etc.)) | name:en | <value> | de facto | Key:name |
| alternate name | alt_name | <value> | de facto | Key:alt_name | |
| operator | operator | <value> | in use | Key:operator | |
| operator type (government, ngo, military, etc) | operator_type | <value> | de facto | Key:operator:type | |
| year of construction | start_date | <value> | de facto | Key:start_date | |
| number of hosted population | population | <value> | approved | Key:population | |
| capacity of the site | capacity | <value> | in use | Key:capacity |
Shelter
shelters are structures ranging from simple tent structures to caravan and solid construction.
| Categories | Name | Key | Value | Tag status | Wiki hyperlink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter | shelter (if mapping remotly, prefer the use of generic tag) | building | yes | approved | Key:building |
| shelter (if field mapping or clear remote shelter identification) | building | house | approved | Key:building | |
| transit shelter (shelters that host refugees/IDPs who are waiting to have a permanent shelter - often for multiple households) | building | house | approved | Key:building | |
| amenity | social facility | approved | Tag:social_facility=shelter | ||
| social facility | shelter | approved | Tag:social_facility=shelter | ||
| Type of construction | locally built dwelling/structure | building | hut | de facto | Tag:building=hut |
| tent | building | tent | in use | Tag:building=tent | |
| caravan trailler | building | static_caravan | in use | Tag:building=static_caravan | |
| Building material | wall material | building:material | <value> | in use | Key:building:material |
| roof material | roof:material | <value> | in use | Key:roof:material |
WASH Facilities
Water, sanitation and hygiene facilities
| Categories | Name | Key | Value | Tag status | Wiki hyperlink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water extraction | well | man_made | water_well | in use | Tag:man made=water well |
| spring | natural | spring | in use | Tag:natural=spring | |
| Water storage | bladder/tank | man_made | storage_tank | de facto | Tag:man made=storage tank |
| content | water | de facto | Key:content | ||
| storage capacity | capacity | in use | Key:capacity | ||
| Water distribution | tap stand | amenity | water_point | in use | Tag:amenity=water point |
| man_made | water_tap | approved | Tag:man made=water tap | ||
| Water systeme | pipeline | man_made | pipeline | approved | Tag:man made=pipeline |
| substance | water | approved | Key:substance | ||
| pipeline's location | location | surface/underground/overground | approved | Key:location | |
| Sanitation | latrine | amenity | toilets | approved | Tag:amenity=toilets |
| flush latrine | toilets:disposal | flush | approved | Tag:amenity=toilets | |
| pit latrine | toilets:disposal | pitlatrine | approved | Tag:amenity=toilets | |
| chemical toilet | toilets:disposal | chemical | approved | Tag:amenity=toilets | |
| shower | amenity | shower | in use | Tag:amenity=shower | |
| wash stand | amenity | lavoir | in use | Tag:amenity=lavoir | |
| facilitie access | female/male | yes/no | Tag:amenity=toilets | ||
| Waste Management | trash bin | amenity | waste_basket | in use | Tag:amenity=waste basket |
| waste collection point | amenity | waste_disposal | de facto | Tag:amenity=waste disposal | |
| landfill | landuse | landfill | in use | Tag:landuse=landfill | |
| recycling center | amenity | recycling | approved | Tag:amenity=recycling | |
| recycling_type | centre |
Education facilities
Schools and other educational facilities can be for early childhood, primary, or secondary education
| Categories | Name | Key | Value | Tag status | Wiki hyperlink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| primary school | amenity | school | de facto | Tag:amenity=school | |
| isced:level | 1 | de facto | Key:isced:level | ||
| secondary school | amenity | school | de facto | Tag:amenity=school | |
| isced:level | 2 | de facto | Key:isced:level | ||
| high School | amenity | school | de facto | Tag:amenity=school | |
| isced:level | 3 | de facto | Key:isced:level | ||
| school's capacity | capacity | <value> | in use | Key:capacity |
Health facilities
Facilities relevant to provide healthcare and treatment
| Categories | Name | Key | Value | Tag status | Wiki hyperlink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| hospital | amenity | hospital | de facto | Tag:amenity=hospital | |
| health center | amenity | clinic | de facto | Tag:amenity=clinic | |
| health post | amenity | doctors | in use | Tag:amenity=doctors | |
| pharmacy | amenity | pharmacy | approved | Tag:amenity=pharmacy |
Logistic facilities
Facilities relevant to the transportation, storage, and distribution of relief items, food aid, commodities, etc
| Categories | Name | Key | Value | Tag status | Wiki hyperlink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| distribution points | |||||
| warehouse | building | warehouse | in use | Tag:building=warehouse | |
| helipad | aeroway | helipad | in use | Tag:aeroway=helipad | |
| airstrip | aeroway | aerodrome | in use | Tag:aeroway=aerodrome |
Agency-use facilities
Facilities relevant to the administrative and programmatic activities of humanitarian organizations
| Categories | Name | Key | Value | Tag status | Wiki hyperlink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| site's entry | entrance | yes | approved | Tag:entrance=yes | |
| registration / reception centre (can include transit shelters, registration desk, waiting rooms, warehouse for baggage0, toilets, etc.) | amenity | social_facility | approved | Tag:amenity=social facility | |
| social_facility | outreach | approved | Tag:social facility=outreach | ||
| government's office | office | government | approved | Tag:office=government | |
| ngo office | office | ngo | approved | Key:office | |
| outreach | amenity | social_facility | approved | Tag:amenity=social facility | |
| social_facility | outreach | approved | Tag:social facility=outreach | ||
| administrative area | office | yes | Key:office |
Social facilities
Facilities used by displaced population itself for economic, religious, and community purposes
| Categories | Name | Key | Value | Tag status | Wiki hyperlink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| economic | marketplace | amenity | marketplace | approved | Tag:amenity=marketplace |
| shops | building | retail | in use | Tag:building=retail | |
| shop | <value> | approved | Key:shop | ||
| craft and workshop | craft | <value> | approved | Key:craft | |
| farming perimeter | landuse | farmland | approved | Tag:landuse=farmland | |
| religious | mosque, church, temple | amenity | place_of_worship | de facto | Tag:amenity=place of worship |
| religion | <value> | de facto | Key:religion | ||
| recreation and community purpose | community center | amenity | community_centre | approved | Tag:amenity=community centre |
| communal kitchen | amenity | kitchen | in use | Tag:amenity=kitchen | |
| outreach | amenity | social_facility | approved | Tag:amenity=social facility | |
| social_facility | outreach | approved | Tag:social facility=outreach | ||
| sport ground | leisure | pitch | de facto | Tag:leisure=pitch | |
| recreation area | leisure | recreation_ground | in use | Tag:landuse=recreation_ground | |
| playground | leisure | playground | approved | Tag:leisure=playground | |
| targeted group (children, young, women, etc) | *:for | <value> | in use | Key:community_centre:for |
Security
Facilities often used by local law enforcement from the site’s host nation, internal camp security personnel, and international protection forces, such as UN peacekeepers.
| Categories | Name | Key | Value | Tag status | Wiki hyperlink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| checkpoints | military | checkpoint | de facto | Key:military | |
| camp perimeter fencing | barrier | fence | approved | Tag:barrier=fence | |
| police station | amenity | police | in use | Tag:amenity=police | |
| fire station | amenity | fire_station | in use | Tag:amenity=fire station | |
| lamp post / Street lighting | highway | street_lamp | de facto | Tag:highway=street_lamp |
Facilities additional description
| Categories | Name | Key | Value | Tag status | Wiki hyperlink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification | name | name | <value> | de facto | Key:name |
| alternative name | alt_name | <value> | de facto | Key:alt name | |
| operator | operator | <value> | in use | Key:operator | |
| operator type | operator_type | <value> | de facto | Key:operator:type | |
| year of construction | start_date | <value> | de facto | Key:start date | |
| Status (information to be added only if can be updated on a regular basis) | operational | operational_status | operational | proposed but in use (more than 60 000 use) | Proposed features/Tag:operational status |
| defective | operational_status | defective | proposed but in use (more than 60 000 use) | Proposed features/Tag:operational status | |
| closed | operational_status | closed | proposed but in use (more than 60 000 use) | Proposed features/Tag:operational status | |
| under construction | operational_status | under_construction | proposed but in use (more than 60 000 use) | Proposed features/Tag:operational status | |
| condition of facilities | damage_status | Key:damage_status (Taginfo) | |||
| outside lighting | lit | yes/no | de facto | Key:lit | |
| capacity | capacity | <value> | in use | Key:capacity | |
| building material | building:material | <value> | in use | Key:building:material | |
| targeted group (children, young, women, etc) | *:for | <value> | in use | Key:community_centre:for |
Contributing and Editing the map
There are two ways to contribute to the map, 1/ you can complete a base map remotely using satellite imagery or 2/ collect data on the field with OSM based applications. If you are a beginner on OSM we suggest you start reading the LearnOSM documentation.
Remote mapping
For beginner mappers, the best way to contribute to the effort of camp mapping is to participate in a mapathon, a collaborative mapping event where you will be trained on how to map.
CartONG regularly maps displacement sites as part of our partnership with UNHCR: you can check the places & dates of future mapathons on our wiki page!
For intermediate and expert mappers, here are some additional tips and resources:
- For better monitoring of the edits, we suggest to include the name of your organization within your user name.
- Satellite Imagery Interpretation Guide: Displaced Population Camps
- Offline map edition can be done with JOSM: specific preset for camp mapping are available in [https://github.com/unhcr/presets Github, the presets have been organized to match sectors terminology as known by humanitarian workers.
- Note that a specific preset has been designed to be used with Vespucci, (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.blau.android), the Android Offline OpenStreetmap editor: https://github.com/unhcr/presets/blob/master/HDM-camp-vespucci.xml
Field mapping
It's recommended to contact an experienced organization (see next section) who can help you plan and configure your mobile data collection strategy and methodology. There are many OSM based solutions, also working offline to collect GPS coordinates and attributes directly integrated on OSM (OsmAnd, OSM Tracker, Maps.me, OpenMapKit, etc.).
Importance to map the environment of the site
It's highly recommended to map the nearby areas of the site, especially host villages, spontaneous settlement around and significant natural features. Special attention must also be given when connecting minor roads to a larger scale road network. When possible, it is very helpful to identify nearby facilities, such as schools or health centers, even if they are not located within the perimeter of the site.
Such macro level information can help shape decisions on where to plan new extensions , where to position new basic services facilities and infrastructure, but also to define plot arrangement and the type of shelter construction.
Identifying refugee sites
The UNHCR Site Map allows to quickly identify the location of refugee sites, as well as data available in OSM on their location (as well as existing UNHCR data). It is referencing sites maintained by UNHCR as a GIS layer and comparing it with the OSM database. Sites are classified based on the presence in OSM of structural data (roads, rives, residential areas, etc.) and/or Points of Interest (health centres, schools, water taps, latrines, etc.), as well as on the presence of UNHCR data, either gathered from external sources (e.g. REACH) or collected through a site mapping exercise.
The site map only displays refugees camps & settlements and IDP camps & settlements listed by UNHCR, it does not include the full list of sites with displaced populations (inc. returnees, urban settings, etc.) which can be accessible on this REST portal.
Active humanitarian organizations contributing to improve refugee sites mapping on OSM
CartONG
CartONG is one of UNHCR’s implementing partners for mapping and information management (IM) projects, supporting the agency in a large range of activities, in particular linked with OpenStreetMap The details of the project’s objectives, activities and examples of case studies are available on the dedicated project wiki page.
CartONG has also contributed to emergency activations following refugee crisis, in particular during the Rohyingia Crisis, and launched mapping projects on selected locations for other partners, in particular Solidarités International and Terre des Hommes.
Case study: refugee site mapping in Ethiopia
CartONG provided support to the Shelter and Settlement Section of UNHCR in 5 refugee camps in northern Ethiopia: MaiAini, Shimelba, Berahle, Aysaitta and Kebribeyah during the month of July 2019.
The first phase of the support occurred remotely with the organization of a dozen of Mapathons in France. In the second phase, the outputs of the Mapathons were used as a basis for the mobile data collection conducted in the field in order to gather exact locations and attribute information for camp infrastructure as well as additional information necessary for the shelter gap analysis. The third phase of the mission focused on providing data visualization tools to the end-users and sharing collected data back to OSM The objective was to help UNHCR, local communities and the government make more informed decisions by giving them a sense of the percentage of shelters in need of repair or the number and location of water points which are not functioning, the time required by refugees to reach the closest health facility within the camp and therefore clarify if new infrastructure needs to be added in the camp and where they should be positioned so they are built where it is most needed, or if a full camp extension needs to be planned. Read more details on the news on CartONG’s website.
HOT
Case Study:Refugee Settlement Mapping in Uganda
The Crowdsourcing Non-Camp Refugee Data is a HOT project on Mapping (non-camp) Refugee Data Through OpenStreetMap in Uganda, starting in July 2017 and scheduled to run until September 2018 with support from the United States Government - Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration - US Department of State. The project aims to improve program planning and service delivery to refugee communities, develop better integration with host communities, and build refugee self-reliance through open map data. The program trains and equips community leaders in refugee communities to map vulnerabilities and assets in the places they live, filling in key data gaps and “blank spots” on the map. These maps are created using techniques including crowdsourced data collection on mobile phones. The resulting multilanguage maps and map data are made openly available online in OpenStreetMap, on mobile phones for navigation, in printed form in refugee social/community centers, and provided to host country governments, PRM, UNHCR, and NGOs.
The data model can be found here.
REACH
Case Study: Refugee Camp in Jordan
In Jordan, Refugee camp are designed and planned by a dedicated unit. Surveyors are using the "Palestine 1923 / Israeli CS Grid" [1] to draw the camp master plans in Autocad.
For the initial data collection, REACH used use OpenDataKit http://opendatakit.org/. Tags were selected from pre-existing tags from the Humanitarian OSM Tags/HDM preset.
UNHCR Jordan imported the first dataset for Zaatari Camp on 25 of June 2013 [2]. UNHCR Jordan then contracted REACH[3] to further map facilities within Za'atari Refugee Camp.
In April 2014, the map for Azraq has been pushed in OSM.
The two camps can be monitored through the following links:
There are some unusual tags used in the Zaatari-Camp. A discussion about improving the tagging was started here.
MSF
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) works around the world to provide refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) with everything they need, from psychological care to lifesaving nutrition. MSF teams conduct rapid needs assessments, establish public health programme priorities, work closely with affected communities, organise and manage health facilities and essential medical supplies, train local workers and coordinate with a complex array of relief organisations.
Since 2014 MSF is contributing to OpenStreetMap under the Missing Maps flag, and has contributed to mapping many refugee and IDP camps such as the Rohingya Cox Bazar refugee camps in Bangladesh, Goma IDP camps in DRC and the IDP camps around Galcayo in Somalia.