111 This helps crisis response teams better understand and navigate unfamiliar territories and avoid duplication of effort. It’s a privilege to have been there in the early days of MapAction, and I’m really impressed at the impact subsequent teams have made with it. It was at the forefront of the sector now known as humanitarian GIS and has become a mainstay in humanitarian response. It’s impossible to quantify that impact. How many lives did the availability of an up-to-date map help to save? They are countless. —Olivier Cottray, a founder of MapAction MapAction volunteers created dynamic maps in Ukraine to show population movement and monitor border crossings, transportation systems, supply routes, and refugee reception centers. The volunteers and staff quickly became part of a humanitarian coalition, helping relief organizations use technology to improve collaboration and information sharing. “Essentially, what we’re trying to do is build a picture of what’s going on that we can share with the organizations responding,” said Jonny Douch, MapAction acting Emergency Operations director. Civilian Life Is Upended under Conflict Thousands of Ukrainians have died, and even more have been injured as the conflict progresses. Civilians have seen their homes and communities destroyed across a nation that approaches the size of Texas. By March 1, 2022, more than a half million people had crossed Ukraine’s border to escape. Most headed west. “In addition to the grave situation inside Ukraine, hundreds of thousands are seeking refuge in neighboring countries,” said Filippo Grandi, head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), at a briefing for the United Nations Security Council. “They need safety and protection, first and foremost, but also shelter, food, hygiene, and other support; and they need it urgently.” Women and children made up 90 percent of the refugee population, UNHCR reported. They faced risks such as gender-based violence and sexual exploitation. Also vulnerable were senior adults, unaccompanied minors, and people with disabilities that made it difficult for them to escape from high-risk areas. Humanitarian Assistance MapAction’s overview map shows major settlements, transport links, and physical features of Ukraine and the region.
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