Surprisingly, in humanitarian response, there is often little information available on the languages spoken by the crisis-affected people. Humanitarians called in to assist are forced to develop communication programs based on old or inadequate data on literacy, languages spoken, and even the most effective means of communication. The result too often is that crisis-affected people do not understand information they get from humanitarian organizations. Women, children, and older and disabled people are often at the greatest disadvantage because they will be less likely to speak or read a lingua franca used in the response, limiting their capacity to receive timely and appropriate information.
TWB Maps is intended to fill the data gap by giving humanitarians better information on languages spoken, literacy, and best means for communication.
Starting with data already available and enriching it with new information from TWB and partners, TWB Maps will provide freely usable, verifiable datasets on language and communication. Humanitarian organizations will have full access to the information to plan and refine their communication with affected people. They also can input into TWB Maps with data they collect and share themselves.
Watch this space as TWB Maps is developed further. Current TWB Maps products can be accessed here:
Philippines Super Typhoon Mangkhut (“Ompong”) – Crisis Language Map
Ebola Outbreak in Beni Territory, DRC – Crisis Language Map
Fuego Volcano Eruption Guatemala – Crisis Language Map
Ebola Outbreak DRC – Crisis Language Map
Papua New Guinea Earthquake – Crisis Language Map
Communications Dashboard: Internally Displaced People in north-east Nigeria
Cox’s Bazar: Rohingya Zuban storymap
Language and comprehension barriers in Greece’s migration crisis
Putting Language on the Map in the European Refugee Response
For more information on language support in humanitarian action, contact [email protected].