Mapping for disaster risk reduction in Belize

22 January 2019

Advanced mapping training in Belize

In September 2017, Ashley Schmeltzer, a GIS Officer with American Red Cross, led a community mapping training with Belize Red Cross. She was invited back, and was accompanied this time by her colleague Dan Joseph, to conduct a more advanced mapping training that included sessions on the use of drones for mapping.

The two of them led training and hands-on experience for the participants in:

Mapping with drones - The participants practiced flying DJI Phantom drones and programming flight missions to automatically collect imagery in a grid over an area of interest.
OpenDroneMap (ODM) - ODM is an open source software for collecting, processing, analyzing, and displaying aerial drone imagery data. The participants learned how to use ODM to create georeferenced orthophotos, a single mosaiced image that can be loaded in GIS software and used like a map in additional analysis.
Portable OpenStreetMap (POSM) installed on an Intel NUC - POSM is a portable server to cache OSM data for a given area of interest and provision phones with the files and surveys for collection of detailed community map.
Open Data Kit / OpenMapKit (OMK) - These mobile data collection tools can be used to digitally complete surveys and collect map feature data.
Field Papers - This is a paper-based data method for recording discrepancies between remotely traced OSM features and observations made when on the ground. The annotated pages can be scanned and then uploaded to facilitate use of the notes to correct OSM.
Mapillary - Mapillary is a platform for sharing street-level imagery that can then be used for additional insights when editing OSM. The imagery can be captured via a smartphone app or GPS-capable action camera while driving or walking around.

All of the above tools can augment and improve the collection of geospatial data. The objective of the workshop was to improve OpenStreetMap for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) activities and preparedness. For example, for improved community mapping when Belize Red Cross conducts IFRC Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) in communities around the country.

Belize Red Cross invited participants from the Belizean government. There was representation from the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Ministry of Education.

There was some great cross-learning. The Ministry of Natural Resources has been using drones for various monitoring and assessment activities but had not yet processed image sets into products such as georectified orthomosaics. We learned about their workflows and they were excited to learn about the geographic data products that could be produced with OpenDroneMap.

Disaster preparedness and response is more effective when organizations can effectively coordinate, so it was great to see such a diverse group of participants. Additionally, Belize Red Cross provided NEMO with the same set of equipment that they procured for themselves. Future coordination of mapping and assessment activities will maximize the use of available time and resources.

We look forward to hearing about how the participants are able to incorporate the various technological tools and mapping methodologies into their future work. And hopefully we can visit Belize again to continue the teaching and learning that happens for everyone involved in activities like this.

Some additional coverage:

The @OpenStreetMap made the local news last night, w/ a story featuring a collaboration between the Belize Red Cross and the [American] @RedCross. The feature was by reporter @HipolitoNovelo of @Channel5Belize.https://t.co/sKVruA5kQe pic.twitter.com/YXjOEBKo9B
— 🇧🇿 Belize GEO 🛰️ (@BZgeo) January 17, 2019

by Ashley Schmeltzer and Dan Joseph