The Belgian National Geography Committee and Médecins Sans Frontières are organising a new “Mapathlon” from 22 to 26 March to map humanitarian needs in the Masisi region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The NGOs are launching a call for volunteers on Tuesday, with rallies being organised at several Belgian universities, in all regions.
Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross launched the Missing Maps project worldwide, in collaboration with the OpenStreetMap Foundation, back in 2014. “In order to respond quickly to crisis situations and provide effective aid, humanitarian agencies need maps. Around the world, the project recruits volunteers to map areas where populations are affected by natural hazards, epidemics or conflicts and where immediate humanitarian aid is needed,” the humanitarian organisations explain.
For this 5th edition, volunteers are invited to gather at several Belgian universities to participate in the collective mapping of the Masisi district, a remote region of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On the ground, Médecins Sans Frontières provides medical support to the population suffering from violence.
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Improved maps will help the MSF team in a range of activities such as security management, epidemic management and planning primary healthcare activities.
Volunteers are expected to be based at ULB, UCLouvain, ULG, UNamur, among others. A computer with an internet connection will be provided to each participant and no previous experience is required. More information about the Mapathon and registration can be found here.
