In response to the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on Saturday 25 May, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) has been crowd-sourcing mapping to support rescue efforts. Anybody with an internet connection can help support the recovery effort by assisting the mapping that will be used by various organisations in the rescue phase and to deliver ongoing humanitarian aid.

HOT’s immediate priorities have been mapping the road networks and creating polygons to indicate residential areas, villages and buildings. The HOT team is also working on creating printable and offline maps, collecting information about missing people and camps for displaced people, as well as assisting humanitarian aid organisations.

HOT Activation volunteers are coordinating with peer organisations and traditional humanitarian organisations to help coordinate the mapping efforts to best support the recovery efforts. Digital Globe has offered public access to its latest satellite imagery of the area.

To start helping through mapping, visit HOT’s Get Involved Page.

The humanitarian effort is being coordinated by organisations including Oxfam, Unicef and Save the Children who are accepting donations to support their efforts.