On March 5, 2024, Director of the Disaster Map Foundation, Nashin Mahtani, met with the Director General of SENA, Jorge Eduardo Londoño Ulloa, former Senator of Colombia, at the SENA office to discuss a groundbreaking collaboration in disaster resilience. This meeting marks an important step in South-South knowledge exchange and solidarity, as we work to share and adapt PetaBencana’s real-time disaster mapping platform for use in Colombia.
Although Colombia and Indonesia have different disaster contexts, they share common challenges posed by climate change. The need for real-time, community-powered disaster response is universal, and this collaboration exemplifies how open-source technology can be a conduit for mutual learning and resilience building across regions.
At Yayasan Peta Bencana, we have developed a unique and proven method for localizing our software while maintaining the integrity of our open-source, community-driven approach. This method has already been successfully implemented in the Philippines, where the platform has been tailored to local needs while upholding the core principles of accessibility, transparency, and participatory governance. Our ability to scale globally while remaining deeply sensitive to local contexts is what makes this initiative extraordinary.
This collaboration with SENA will build upon our localization expertise to adapt the real-time disaster mapping platform for Colombia. By working closely with Colombian stakeholders, we aim to ensure that the software is responsive to the specific needs of frontline communities and emergency responders in the region.
More than just a technological exchange, this partnership is a testament to the power of South-South solidarity—where open-source software serves as a medium for knowledge-sharing between communities facing similar climate risks. By bridging regions and fostering collective action, we reinforce the principle that disaster resilience should be open, participatory, and deeply rooted in local expertise.
Stay tuned as we continue to strengthen this partnership and advance community-centered disaster response in Colombia!
