Crowdsourcing for Crisis Mapping in Haiti

Abstract

Ushahidi is a free and open-source platform that allows interested individuals and groups to create live, interactive maps. The platform can be used to combine citizen reporting with mapping and visualization tools to create a crisis map—a realtime, dynamic, multifaceted snapshot of how a crisis is evolving. Maps created using the Ushahidi platform need not relate to crises or particular events. This article analyzes the development and implmentation of Ushahidi in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. It covers both risks of implementation and the ultimate implications for the humanitarian sector.