NEWS28 July 2022
Alcis (part of the Research Park’s Incubation Hub, powered by SETsquared Surrey) is responding to the devastating earthquake that hit Afghanistan in June by creating and providing up to date maps and insights into its impact. The information is available to those organising humanitarian relief work in a remote and challenging region.
With a mission to improve the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people by using innovative Geographic Information Services, Alcis has 18 years experience working in Afghanistan. The company works with a range of partners, including governments, banks, private businesses and international agencies and NGOs.
Alcis’ solutions such as mapping and imagery provide information which is confirmed on the ground and analysed using mapping software. This is vital in remote areas recovering from war, such as Afghanistan, as existing data can be inaccurate and out of date.
The interactive maps of Afghanistan produced by Alcis show a vast array of vital information such as locations of settlements, roads and domestic compounds within the earthquake affected area. Alcis is also able to provide vital hazard data showing contaminated land from, for example, the UN Mine Action Service UNMAS, reducing the risk to those on the ground involved in the relief effort.
Alcis has produced some very specific and detailed analysis to help with the earthquake relief effort, for example, 60,162 domestic compounds that are more than 5kms away from a health facility. Maps show the detail of where the facilities are and the distance to reach them.
Many people living in this region are affected by drought. If they are also impacted by the earthquake they are even more vulnerable than before and need urgent assistance. The Alcis mapping solution shows the level of drought in the earthquake area and the number of compounds affected by it.
In addition to providing geographical and logistics information, Alcis has included satellite imagery showing domestic compounds and buildings directly damaged by the earthquake.
Alison Hall of Alcis says,
“As far as we know, we are the only firm providing publicly accessible maps of the region at this level of detail. So often disaster relief efforts are hampered by lack of knowledge and out of date information about the people and conditions on the ground. By providing up to date, accurate information such as this we can support humanitarian efforts to provide effective support in remote and challenging areas.”
If you are helping the relief effort in Afghanistan and would like further information on the support that Alcis can provide, please contact Alison at alison.hall@alcis.org