Dear 188 Peace Corps Mappers,
Throughout the past year you all have worked to add a rich set of data about the communities in which we serve to
OpenStreetMap.
TODAY we’re asking you to re-engage and use OpenStreetMap to help combat the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
“An outbreak of Ebola struck Guinea causing at least 187 infections and 117 deaths. Aid organizations are taking emergency measures to contain the spread of this highly infectious and deadly virus. Crucial
to this work, is an understanding of where the populations are centered. Detailed and accurate maps of the region are vital.”-Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team
(HOT)
We’re working with Department of State’s MapGive, and the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) to add OpenStreetMap data to areas of identified need. This will be a concentrated 2-3 week effort.
HOW TO HELP:
- Forward this email to your friends and get them involved.
- Create an OpenStreetMap Account: http://www.openstreetmap.org/
- Tell us your OpenStreetMap Username so we can track Peace Corps’ contribution. If you’ve contributed before, your info should already be there to update: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10CJW-3nvX2fzKmB-I1puXi_tWRBxVB5GuGmnlST9fg4/viewform
- Sign into the HOT Task Manager for the Ebola Outbreak using your OpenStreetMap Account and pick one of the Jobs (3 currently active): http://tasks.hotosm.org/#featured/ebola
- Ebola Outbreak, Daru, Sierra Leone and nearby - http://tasks.hotosm.org/job/574
- Ebola Outbreak, Koidu, Sierra Leone to Geckedou, Guinea - http://tasks.hotosm.org/job/572
- Ebola Outbreak, Sierra Leone, Kailahun district - http://tasks.hotosm.org/job/568
- The task manager identifies the parts of OpenStreetMap that still need to be mapped. Pick a tile and start tracing mapping information!
Please spread the word about this opportunity and thanks in advance for doing your part in helping respond to this outbreak.
Patrick
Patrick Choquette
Director of Innovation
1111 20th Street NW | Washington, DC 20526
RPCV Ghana 2005-2007