Maps are something we take for granted. They’re right there in our pockets, and in most circumstances we can see where we are and where we need to go with pinpoint accuracy.
But that’s not the case everywhere. For humanitarian organizations, knowing where you are and where you need to go becomes increasingly important when you’re trying to deliver aid. However, in certain areas, highly detailed location data isn’t easy to come by.
MapSwipe gives you the opportunity to help these humanitarian organizations. The app features different mapping projects, where volunteers are asked to find things such as buildings, roads, or tracks on satellite images from remote parts of the world.
That sounds like a big task, but it’s straightforward. For a project of your choosing, swipe through a set of satellite images and tap the screen to mark where there are, or might be, things which you’re tasked with finding, such as buildings, settlements, or roads.
Mapping can be complicated, with subpar images or bad weather conditions impeding your ability to properly identify certain features on a map. But the good thing about MapSwipe is you’re not on your own. The same set of images will be shown to multiple users, and after you and your “colleagues” are done, more detailed mapping is handed over to other members of the community.
All it takes is a few swipes to make a valuable contribution to the work of MapSwipe and contribute to vital humanitarian responses around the world.