154 government approvals. And the DIEM Hub, an open data site, shares information and stories instantly. In 2022, it was the onset of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In 2023, it was extreme heat across many countries and fall armyworms munching maize crops across southern Africa. These leading causes of food insecurity are just a few of the crises in focus for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The Data in Emergencies (DIEM) team uses satellite imagery, data collected from the field, and advanced spatial analysis and mapping to investigate root causes and mitigation strategies to reduce food insecurity. “People are living in situations where they are constantly being hit by something,” said Neil Marsland, head of the DIEM team in the Office of Emergencies and Resilience at FAO in Rome. “You can have a flood followed by a livestock disease The DIEM team uses ArcGIS StoryMaps to communicate analytical findings, and creates interactive maps such as this one about the extent of flooding across the Sahel region of Africa from July through September of 2023. Zooming into each country displays flood extent to gauge the level of disruption. Since the DIEM Information System was launched, the team has extended its network of partners, including national government agencies in the countries it monitors. Prior to 2020, the UN did not receive regular updates on how and where food-insecure regions were impacted by crises. Now, through DIEM-Impact, analysts can provide initial impact assessments within 72 hours of a shock or hazard. This has been helpful in understanding events such as the flooding in Libya, the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine, tropical cyclone Mocha in Myanmar, and the fall armyworm infestation in Burkina Faso. These reports, often built with ArcGIS StoryMaps℠, present compelling and actionable details. Survey apps on mobile phones help streamline data collection. Automation and cloud computing enable rapid data processing. Digital workflows validate data and speed
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