Beirut Blast Emergency Response Map

Problem

This project was in immediate response to the events that took place in Beirut after the explosion of around 2500 tons of ammonium nitrate that completely devastated the port area. Information was generated using GIS data in order to provide situational awareness and aid in the subsequent disaster response.

Solution

The Tijuana Hub made maps and other relevant Geospatial information for the emergency response, and the Beirut hub disseminated and shared the information onsite with the population and relevant stakeholders. The Beirut hub managed to get the information to everyone coordinating the civilian led emergency response within the critical 24 hours after the incident as well as were provided with whatever maps and information they needed. 

Target

Working together with the Curator of the Beirut Hub information was actively used for the first 72 hours after the disaster, by responders and civilians organizations alike. According to the visit counter in the map dashboard 45,286 people consulted the data: (https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1y7DcETTZqaIdOyzMg_YubdrxFOr0UDu2&ll=33.89873752382796%2C35.5064212291681&z=14)

Goals

*Provide situational awareness, by giving a preliminary assessment of potential damages.

*Provide a visual list of hospitals and clinics, that might be affected by the blast, as well as for the reference of responders.

*Locate possible field hospital sites and shelters long enough to respect social distancing due to Covid-19.

*Free use of the GIS information provided within the map.

Impact

Generating resilience, and build a detailed damage census for buildings and critical infrastructure that will help build back better.