WFP spatial data infrastructure (SDI) implementation in support of emergency management

Abstract

Short-term emergency response capacities, long-term risk reduction, development and environmental protection activities are sector where a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) may strongly improve efficiency, facilitating access to geographically-related information using a minimum set of standard practices, protocols, and specifications. The production and use of geospatial information within the United Nations has been accomplished historically by its component organizations in accordance with their individual needs and expertise. This has resulted in multiple efforts, reduced opportunities for sharing and reuse of data, and an unnecessary cost burden for the United Nations as a whole. The ITHACA association is supporting UN World Food Programme (WFP) in developing and implementing an SDI solution based on UNGIWG (UN Geographic Information Working Group) recommendations that can be resumed by the following keywords: decentralized geospatial information framework, interoperability between spatial data infrastructures, to avoid duplication in data collection and management, to enhance decision-making, re-use and sharing. A geodatabase conceptual schema has been developed using a general purpose modeling language (UML, Unified Modeling Language) in order to be as far as possible interoperable and independent of any particular database management system (DBMS). Following the same principles, the geodatabase schema is maintained in XML format, allowing structured data sharing possible. A two level architecture has been defined in order to efficiently combine complex management and administration activities with interoperable and open source based applications and services, dedicated to the broader humanitarian community of users.

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