Many cities in Liberia are not properly represented on a map, disadvantaging both the public and local governments. Without maps, residents are unable to find basic local services, such as police stations, and government officials can’t effectively support their citizens during disasters. In February, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team completed a two-year project supporting USAID’s Local Empowerment for Government Inclusion and Transparency (LEGIT) program, in partnership with DAI, to map three major cities in Liberia and provide the public and officials with this vital information.

In 2019 we leveraged the data collected and stakeholder relationships built since 2018 to help three cities – Gbarnga, Ganta, and Zwedru – to set up solid waste management and disposal services, an important part of improving public health and preventing floods. Over the lifetime of the project we provided over 300 government officials, community-based organization members, youth, and other members of the community with field mapping, GIS, and atlas training - so they can bring local knowledge and skills to represent their community on the map as their cities continue to grow.

We also delivered atlases and service delivery databases to local governments and communities, giving them the information they need to make evidence-based decisions for disaster response and improved public services. Five stakeholders are already actively using the data to inform their service delivery activities.

"This field data collection will benefit my organization and the city at large because from the data collection we have gotten to know where there is safe drinking water, where there are schools, churches, and major facilities in the city. My organization can use this report to bring facilities to places that are lacking them." - Training participant