Humanitarian OpenStreeMap Team (HOT)

Crowdsourcing mapping data to help save and improve lives.

Past and Current Partners

USAID, Global Fund for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), SwissRE Foundation

Active Countries
More than 4 countries
Thematic area(s)
Crisis, Inclusive Growth, Gender, Health
Technology
Open Source
Organisation Name
Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT)
READ MORE ON THEIR WEBSITE

The Problem

There is a global data gap for map data, billions of people live in parts of the world that are unmapped. Without representation on a map, many are not counted, not included, and not consulted. The HOT Tasking Manager is a tool to divide the world into tiny grids, each mappable by volunteers around the world, at any time, thus contributing to building a more robust map of the world.

The Solution

Tasking Manager is used to crowdsource mapping data for areas around the world where data is needed to help save or improve lives.

How it works?

  • Step 1: Set up an account on Tasking Manager
  • Step 2: Select a task based on geography, sector, or urgency
  • Step 3: Trace features on the map, according to provided directions
  • Step 4: Upload new data to OpenStreetMap
Digital X Solution Humanitarian OpenStreeMap Team (HOT)

Bridging the digital divide

Tasking Manager opens opportunities for HOT Regional Hubs to engage with digitally illiterate people and communities with limited connectivity and enables local organizing and communities to coordinate mapping and make sure they are present on the map, particularly underrepresented groups from remote areas.

Impact and highlights

  • 126.7M+ buildings have been mapped.
  • 2.7M+ km of roads have been mapped.
  • 390,000 active mappers.

Plans for expansion

HOT has 94 priority countries, however, projects in Tasking Manager are established any time there is a request or humanitarian need. As such, the Tasking Manager is not assigned to one specific country or region. It thrives to improve map data anywhere gaps in information are identified.