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Humanitarian Mapping with OpenStreetMap

Learn about OSM with Vassar Libraries and help us contribute to the global mapping community.

Learn OSM & Get Mapping!

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  • Start with the Beginner's Guide to create an account
     
  • The first time you follow the iD Editor section of the Beginner's Guide, you will be prompted to take an interactive Walkthrough. This lets you practice editing OpenStreetMap without saving any of your changes.
    For extra reference, you may wish to follow along with the step-by-step iD Editor Walkthrough guide.
     
  • Check out this guide on Humanitarian Mapping and Tasking Manager 3 to get an idea of how HOT uses OSM for aid efforts. 

Learn better through video? Check out MapGive's all-in-one guide to getting started!

Intermediate/Advanced

On the Ground

Vassar's Mapathon workshops will train on remote mapping, but anybody can be a local editor for your current location or regions you know well.

Missing Maps: How We Work - Step 1. Remote volunteers trace satellite imagery into OpenStreetMap; Step 2. Community volunteers add local detail such as neighborhoods, street names, and evacuation centers; Step 3. Humanitarian organizations use mapped information to plan risk reduction and disaster response activities that save lives.