Mapping

Mapping is a way to visualise the resources, vulnerabilities and hazards in a community. Maps can be used to identify locations with exposure to hazards such as areas prone to floods or health hazards, indicating which groups and infrastructure such as health clinics, schools, houses are vulnerable, as well as map out location of resources and services (e. g. shops and businesses, clinics, schools, markets) that are capacities within the community. Maps facilitate communication and stimulate discussion, help people to understand complex spatial relationships and allow visual comparison of information.

Use it to…

Identify risk exposure by mapping who and what is most exposed to hazards and other threats and issues facing the community.
Show the different vulnerabilities, capacities and resources in the community and stimulate discussion.
Obtain general information for different sectors (livelihoods, health, and shelter, etc).
Analyse the links and patterns of risks in the community by overlaying hazard location, infrastructure, service distribution and other resources.
Identify risk factors in the environment outside the immediate community boundaries, such as upstream watershed management issues or infrastructure development with potential positive or negative spill-over effects on community risks.