MapAction
Encyclopedia
MapAction is a non-governmental organisation
that specialises in providing mapping for humanitarian emergencies. MapAction is a registered UK charity
. Prince Harry is its Royal Patron
.
The charity was founded as Aid for Aid in 1999 but became operational in 2003 and changed its name to MapAction. Its first emergency mission was to Sri Lanka
in response to the Asian tsunami in December 2004. Since then it has sent teams to natural disasters including floods, earthquakes and hurricanes, worked in complex humanitarian emergencies such the Pakistan conflict in June 2009, and delivered geospatial support to landmine clearance programmes in the field.
MapAction has a small full-time staff but most of its capacity is provided by volunteers. Its volunteers are skilled with geographical information systems (GIS) and are trained by the charity to work in humanitarian emergencies. As well as responding to emergencies, the volunteers also provide training in GIS and GPS for other humanitarian organisations including the United Nations
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
.
MapAction receives funding from several institutions, notably the UK Government's Department for International Development
(DFID).
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
that specialises in providing mapping for humanitarian emergencies. MapAction is a registered UK charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
. Prince Harry is its Royal Patron
Patrón
Patrón is a luxury brand of tequila produced in Mexico and sold in hand-blown, individually numbered bottles.Made entirely from Blue Agave "piñas" , Patrón comes in five varieties: Silver, Añejo, Reposado, Gran Patrón Platinum and Gran Patrón Burdeos. Patrón also sells a tequila-coffee blend known...
.
The charity was founded as Aid for Aid in 1999 but became operational in 2003 and changed its name to MapAction. Its first emergency mission was to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
in response to the Asian tsunami in December 2004. Since then it has sent teams to natural disasters including floods, earthquakes and hurricanes, worked in complex humanitarian emergencies such the Pakistan conflict in June 2009, and delivered geospatial support to landmine clearance programmes in the field.
MapAction has a small full-time staff but most of its capacity is provided by volunteers. Its volunteers are skilled with geographical information systems (GIS) and are trained by the charity to work in humanitarian emergencies. As well as responding to emergencies, the volunteers also provide training in GIS and GPS for other humanitarian organisations including the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs , is a United Nations body formed in December 1991 by General Assembly Resolution 46/182...
and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is a humanitarian institution that is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement along with the ICRC and 186 distinct National Societies...
.
MapAction receives funding from several institutions, notably the UK Government's Department for International Development
Department for International Development
The Department For International Development is a United Kingdom government department with a Cabinet Minister in charge. It was separated from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1997. The goal of the department is "to promote sustainable development and eliminate world poverty". The current...
(DFID).