What We Do
HOT is an international team dedicated to humanitarian action and community development through open mapping. We work together to provide map data which revolutionises disaster management, reduces risks, and contributes to achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Reaching those in need through maps
When major disaster strikes anywhere in the world, thousands of HOT volunteers come together online and on the ground to create open map data that enables disaster responders to reach those in need.
Mapping areas vulnerable to disaster
Through the Missing Maps project, the HOT global community creates maps of high vulnerability areas where data is scarce, putting an area home to millions of people onto the world map in OpenStreetMap.
Expanding knowledge across partners and communities
HOT enables communities, NGOs, international organizations, and government partners to use and contribute to OpenStreetMap for locally-relevant challenges through provision of training, equipment, knowledge exchange, and field projects.
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Developing innovative new technology to serve the humanitarian and development communities
HOT develops open source apps and tools for collaborative mapping and geospatial data collection. Our tools are free for all to use and leveraged by partners such as Red Cross societies, Médecins Sans Frontières, UN agencies and programmes, government agencies, and local NGOs and communities.
Working to support and build OpenStreetMap
All of this work is done through OpenStreetMap. OpenStreetMap is the community-driven free and editable map of the world, supported by the not-for-profit OpenStreetMap Foundation. HOT works around the globe to support and increase the use of OpenStreetMap and help build local OpenStreetMap communities.
Our Impact
HOT's work is global in scale and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our Monitoring and Evaluation framework is constantly evolving to ensure tangible and measurable impact. Check out our core impact areas and learn more about where we're making a difference.