BrightEarth

The following is a concept that BrightEarth is exploring with partners. Feedback and questions are welcome- please contact us at: info.brightearth@gmail.com

Realtime information Tagging for Humanitarians:
Developing a global sensor web using new GIS technologies

BrightEarth is working on a proof-of-concept to explore a lightweight and simple web-based interface that would allow a “humanitarian user” anywhere in the world to upload individual pieces of geographically tagged information (security bulletins, locations of NGO projects, landmine) to a secure server, using a GPS device and any internet connected computer or cell phone.

Each piece of information would be uploaded to a spatial database on a secure server and instantly show up on the virtual globe in realtime as a placemark with a different icon corresponding to the type of information specified; this would include descriptive text, and a photo if available. Anyone with an appropriate geobrowser — e.g. Google Earth, NASA WorldWind, or 2D web-based platforms– could then visualize and interact with this global landscape in realtime, or search through, filter and display specific sections of data (for example: all events uploaded during January through March 2008, or narrow down to only those involving journalists, landmines, sexual violence, etc).

Beyond the viewing of such information on computers in homes and offices back home, humanitarians in the field in the future would be able to access new bulletins within their proximity using a cell phone or other mobile device. A humanitarian staff member in Eastern Congo could not only let their director in Denmark and partners in Washington see the unfolding situation on a virtual globe, but also instantly let their colleagues in the immediate area know what is happening around them.

By placing realtime data on the foundation of virtual globe and mapping applications, a simple system would allow us to map complex situations one individual piece at a time, slowly building a landscape of important information that is easy to access, visualize and present. Coupled with the mapping of base data and other rich content, such a realtime component could be a valuable way to manage specific types of information from the field.
Possible categories of information that could be uploaded and viewed within this system:

• Human Rights bulletins, with multiple sub-categories (Janjaweed attack at X location)
• Hate speech monitoring
• Who is doing What Where (3W)- location of NGO HQs and field projects, with description and contact info
• Security alerts/geographically specific situation reporting (e.g. situation in Kalma Camp, Darfur)
• Points of humanitarian interest/concern (possible UXO, poisoned well, new school)

We will be releasing a series of interactive layers in Google Earth that map the conflict in Darfur using data from the United Nations, the U.S. State Department, the Coalition for International Justice and other sources.

These layers will include:

* Administrative boundaries
* Roads
* Settlements
* Hydrology
* Locations and size of refugee/internally displaced populations in Darfur and Eastern Chad
* Locations of damaged and destroyed villages
* High-resolution satellite imagery of camps, burned villages and more
* mapping of camps and humanitarian staging areas
* Survivor interviews and event narratives linked to the village of occurence
* photographic evidence

If you would like to discuss how your company or organization can join the consortium of actors dedicated to leveraging their resources and experience in support of humanitarian causes, please send a note to us and we will be in touch with you shortly.