For years, OpenStreetMap has provided online spatial information about infrastructure networks around the world, and several years ago, the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) was created to map out disaster-prone areas. In Indonesia, HOT has been particularly effective—not only in pinpointing areas that are vulnerable to disasters, but also in integrating local communities into the map-making process.
The results have been encouraging. Using HOT-provided information, humanitarian responders, and disaster management agencies are better able to mitigate the effects of natural disasters and save lives.
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