Kosovo: Applying Geographic Information systems in an International Humanitarian Crisis

Author: David G. Smith
Organization: U.S. Department of State

Office of the Geographer
Room 8732
Washington, DC 20520-6510
USA

Phone: 202-736-7896
Fax: 202-647-0504
ACdsmith@us-state.osis.gov

The Kosovo crisis was probably the first time that GIS has been used in a large-scale and systematic manner to manage information in a major international humanitarian crisis. The effort required the participation and cooperation of a large number of international organizations, U.S. and foreign government military and civil agencies, and NGOs. Digital foundation map data provided by NIMA was improved and expanded in stages. The GIS enabled integration of various kinds of information including suspected locations of landmines and unexploded ordnance, reports of atrocities, and destruction of housing and infrastructure. A rapid assessment of damage to dwellings and infrastructure in Kosovo's nearly 2,000 towns and villages was fed into a GIS-linked database, providing the basis for planning of relief and resettlement efforts and resources. Though generally highly positive, the effort provided many lessons regarding the difficulties involved as well as the great potential for using GIS in such complex emergencies.