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In times of disasters, staying informed and ensuring the safety of communities becomes paramount. Filipinos now have a powerful tool at their disposal – MapaKalamidad.ph, a multi-hazard platform initiated by the Indonesia-based non-profit organization Yayasan Peta Bencana (Disaster Map Foundation).
MapaKalamidad.ph allows individuals and authorities to report and map various disaster events, including earthquakes, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and flooding, in real-time. This platform, which originated as a flood-mapping tool in 2020, has now evolved to cover the entire Philippines, facilitating data-driven responses to emergencies.
The goal of MapaKalamidad.ph is to provide a space where residents, first responders, and government agencies can collaborate by sharing and mapping information. Through this, informed decisions about safety, coordination, and resource management can be made. Official agency partners, such as the Office of Civil Defense, actively use the platform to monitor and submit verified reports, contributing to a more efficient disaster response.
Nashin Kelash Mahtani, Director of Yayasan Peta Bencana, emphasized the importance of crowdsourcing during disasters. “This is a method that allows us to reach millions of users every day, collecting information from street level, from people who know the situation best because they’re experiencing the disaster,” she said.
As the threat of large-scale earthquakes remains a constant concern, it’s imperative for every Filipino family to be well-prepared.
How to submit hazard reports on MapaKalamidad.ph:
- Facebook message Mapakalamidad.ph
- Message @mapakalamidad on Facebook Messenger
- Click on “Get Started” and select the disaster to report
- MapaKalamidad.ph’s bot will send you a one-time link to submit a disaster report
- Open the link and follow the instructions to input hazard location, upload photo, and description.
- MapaKalamidad.ph’s bot will send you a reply with a link to your report
- Telegram message @kalamidadbot
- Search for and message @kalamidadbot on Telegram
- Click on “/start” and select the disaster to report
- MapaKalamidad.ph’s bot will send you a one-time link to submit a disaster report
- Open the link and follow the instructions to input hazard location, upload photo, and description.
- MapaKalamidad.ph’s bot will send you a reply with a link to your report
- Report on the website
- Open MapaKalamidad.ph on your browser
- Click the Report icon on the upper left of the page and select the disaster to report
- Click the Report Disaster button and follow the instructions to input hazard location, upload photo and description
Mahtani highlighted that MapaKalamidad.ph was intentionally designed to be web-based, making it accessible and user-friendly. The platform allows people to file reports using select social media platforms, meeting users where they are without the need for extensive training.
The platform is designed to be data-lite and usable on mobile phones, ensuring accessibility even in areas with limited technical funding or poor internet connections. MapaKalamidad.ph aims to expand its reporting capabilities by integrating SMS services, radio services, and other means to allow reporting even without an internet connection.
In a recent forum at the House of Representatives, the (DOST) highlighted the critical need for disaster preparedness and resilience in the Philippines.
As an open-source project, organizations interested in collaborating with MapaKalamidad.ph for data integration and extraction can do so, complementing their existing maps and efforts. The development of MapaKalamidad.ph’s multi-hazard platform received support from the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance of the US Agency for International Development, the Office of Civil Defense, Mapbox, and Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team.
In times of crisis, MapaKalamidad.ph stands as a crucial tool, fostering collaboration and ensuring timely, accurate information reaches those who need it most. Stay informed, stay safe.
Source: Rappler
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