I am honoured to have contributed, as part of the Online UN Volunteers programme, to a vital UNDP initiative aimed at estimating the volume of debris generated in the Gaza Strip as a result of recent hostilities. This initiative is guided by several significant objectives:

• Designing and managing KoboToolbox forms, alongside processing and cleaning collected data to ensure accuracy and relevance.
• Gathering and analysing geospatial data, including aerial and satellite imagery, through advanced GIS software such as ArcGIS Pro and remote sensing tools like ERDAS.
• Developing dynamic StoryMaps using ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Dashboards, and interactive Power BI visualisations to enhance data communication.
• Creating impactful infographics and visuals to boost visibility for donors and stakeholders.
• Providing comprehensive technical documentation and optional training sessions to empower UNDP staff.
• Utilising expertise in Enterprise geodatabase management and Python scripting to streamline processes.
• Conducting spatial analyses to assess damage severity, classify affected zones, and generate insights that support informed planning and decision-making.

It is both humbling and inspiring to collaborate with a dedicated team, many of whom are working from challenging environments such as Palestine and Iran. Their resilience and commitment serve as a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we work together. 

  - UNV Certificate

  - UNV Project page

My contributions to this initiative include:

Mid-July Update:
To improve the estimation of building heights, a Random Forest AI model has been introduced into the analysis. Due to hostilities in the area, online meetings have not been possible. To keep the team informed of progress, I have created several videos that colleagues can download whenever electricity and internet connectivity are available, to help maintain project momentum.

  - Map: Gaza Strip Building Footprints with Damage Levels 

  - Video review of project deliverables and current progress (6:06)

  - Video validation of the original analysis provided (4:58)

  - Video of end-to-end analysis development using QGIS (1:40:51)

KoboToolbox:

The creation of a revised field data collection form and the establishment of an API to access near-real-time data in MS PowerQuery for visualization in Power BI.

  - Development of the KoboToolbox Synchronous Export Guide

  - Review of the current KoboToolbox setup

GIS Analysis:

Review of current debris volume estimation efforts, sourcing geospatial inputs for analysis, designing a new analysis method, creation of a geopackage with preliminary estimates, development of a Python script to summarize debris volumes over selected building footprints.

  - Proposed task list for debris estimation

  - Proposed debris estimation calculation

  - Proposed preliminary analysis method

  - Preliminary analysis QGIS Project file

  - Preliminary analysis geopackage

  - Preliminary analysis Python script for summary tool