Refugee Geographic Information Systems (RefuGIS)

This is the companion website for the Refugee Geographic Information Systems (RefuGIS).

Overview: The Refugee Geographic Information Systems (RefuGIS) project is the world's first innovation project focused on empowering refugees themselves to use GIS in the Za'atari refugee camp, Jordan. Since its intital inception in 2016, the project has now expanded to include local community members in the Mafraq governate of northern Jordan. The RefuGIS Project is supported by UNHCR Innovation.

RefuGIS Press:

• Tomaszewski, B., Martin, J.-L. & Hamad, Y. 2017. GIS for Refugees, by Refugees. ArcNews 39:4-5 (Webpage Link)
• Tomaszewski, B., Martin, J.-L., Omondi, I., Al-Najdawi, N., Tedmori, S. & Hamad, Y. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Za’atari Refugee Camp, Jordan for Refugee Community Information Management and Mobilization: The RefuGIS Project. In: CUNNINGHAM, P., ed. 2017 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC), 2017 San Jose, California, USA. 1-10. doi: 10.1109/GHTC.2017.8239276. (Webpage Link)
• Tomaszewski, B. 2018. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Displacement. In: ICTs for Refugees and Displacement, MAITLAND, C. (ed.), pp.165-184. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press. (Webpage Link)
• Tomaszewski, B. 2018. I teach refugees to map their world. The Conversation. (Webpage Link)
• Tomaszewski, B. 2019. Helping Syrian refugees share their stories with Esri Story Map. Esri Story Map blog. (Webpage Link)
• Smith, A. 2020. How Mapmaking Brings Communities Closer Together. UNHCR Innovation Service. (Webpage Link)

2019 RefuGIS Project Overview