CartONG leads on 3 sessions at HNPW 2025
Featuring GIS, Anticipatory Action, and our latest study on data management in the humanitarian sector
CartONG once again took part in the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) 2025, organized by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The event was held in Geneva from March 17 to 28 at the International Conference Centre of Geneva (CICG).
This major event for the international H2H community gathered more than 8,600 humanitarian professionals, including nearly 2,000 who attended the sessions in person. The program featured 145 sessions organized by 60 networks, as well as 63 exhibition booths and 4 photo exhibitions.
In line with its commitment to promoting the localization of humanitarian action, CartONG organized three sessions in close collaboration with its partners, including MSF, Ground Truth Solutions, and our local CSO partners from Afghanistan and Tanzania.
Here’s a glimpse into our sessions:
1. “GIS on the humanitarian frontline: a cartographic journey” – March 25, 2025
Co-organized with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), this session retraced the evolution of MSF’s GIS Center and showcased concrete examples of how GIS (Geographic Information Systems) are applied in crisis contexts. The discussions highlighted operational challenges and how mapping tools contribute to emergency response efforts.
🎥 Watch the session: View Session
🗺 Explore the interactive story map:
2. “(Real) Anticipatory Action: For and By Local Communities” – March 26, 2025
Co-organized with Ground Truth Solutions, this session focused on anticipatory actions led by communities themselves, particularly in Tanzania, Nigeria, and Chad. Through testimonies from local actors, the discussion emphasized the need to place communities at the heart of crisis preparedness systems, leveraging locally generated data and strengthening capacities through context-specific training.
🎥 Watch the session:
📚 Learn more about the project:
3. “Bridging the gap: how to prevent a two-tier humanitarian data system?” – March 26, 2025
Finally, this session explored the growing inequalities in access to and use of humanitarian data, drawing on findings from our study “Beyond the Numbers: Balancing Innovation, Ethics, and Impact.” With speakers representing various local and international organizations, we discussed challenges related to data ethics, digital sovereignty, and the risks of technological dependency, and formulated recommendations to build a more equitable data ecosystem.
🎥 Watch the session: [View Session]
📚 Read the full study: [Access Document]
In addition to these three sessions, CartONG also hosted a physical exhibition booth throughout the week—a valuable opportunity to showcase our latest work, engage with sector stakeholders, and explore potential new collaborations.
We would like to warmly thank all speakers, participants, and partners who contributed to the success of our participation in HNPW 2025. Their commitment reaffirms the importance of promoting open, ethical, and community-driven approaches in humanitarian and development work.
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