The Role and Value of Geospatial Information and Technology in a Pandemic

Abstract

The United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) has been taking steps to explore how geospatial information has been used to support national response efforts, and the influence and impact of the geospatial data ecosystem in responding to the global COVID-19 pandemic. With the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework at its core, the UN-GGIM has published findings on what components are required to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. It has become evident how urgent and critical it is to have a multifaceted system that mobilises resources and ensures that all agencies have access to geospatial information in order to best manage the pandemic. The chapter reports on how geospatial experts can provide the means to support governments to identify and empower those most vulnerable to the pandemic. The chapter also addresses the role that geospatial information and technology play in building community resilience and discusses the challenges faced to successfully plan and manage resilient communities.