Data Sets and Methods for Emergency Briefing

Data Sets Provided

You will be provided with the essentially the same information available at the University of Bristol during the Idai disaster. Note that I say essentially the same information because I’ve supplied you with improved flood hazard layers and also forecast data from a different day to those we used -  hence if you find any numbers from us online they will not be identical to yours!

You will be issued with several data sets and a handout containing step by step guidance on how to produce various useful outputs from the data using QGIS. The data sets include:

• Flood hazard layers form a global flood model

• Forecast probabilities of extreme flows due to cyclone Idai

• Population estimates

• Administrative boundaries for Mozambique

You can choose to use some or all of these data in your emergency briefing (at least some is a requirement, but all is probably too much) to meet the aims set out above.

• To be able to identify key scientific information from a large dataset that is of relevance to policy and practice.

• To develop skills to synthesise and communicate scientific evidence to policy makers and disaster responders in an effective and appropriate manner.

• To gain basic familiarity of QGIS - an open source GIS software that you can use after completing your studies.

• To conduce basic quantitative analysis in QGIS, including raster calculator and zonal statistics.

An intelligent expert in humanitarian disaster response. For example, this might be read by a policy maker at DFID with a degree in science or social science, ahumanitarian responder working with an NGO who has experience of previous natural disasters, or a member of staff working for a Government Agency or hydro-meteorological forecast agency with responsibility for issuing alerts and forecasts to the public. Our reports were shared with organisations including DFID, UN OCHA, Mozambique Red Cross, German Red Cross - Mozambique, Universidade Técnica de Moçambique and government hydrological and meteorological offices in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

Length/layout/formatting

• Max 4 sides A4 including everything, sticking to at least 2 cm page margins.

• It is critical that it is easy to read. Please follow usual guidance for assessments e.g. at least 11 pt for all the text, the same or larger for headings, at least 9 pt for footnotes and references. 1.5 line spacing. 2.54 cm ('normal') margins. You can use two columns if you wish but you don’t have to.

• The lay out should be attractive, but does not have to be done in a professional publishing program. The information should be presented in a structured and well-thought out way, with clear headings and easy to find information.

• Good graphics can be very effective in conveying information. Max 6 graphics (figures, tables, schematics, other illustrations). Most graphics (Maps, plots etc.) should be original (produced by you from the data in QGIS. They should be easily understood or explained, easy to read, and properly cited/referenced if the image is reproduced. Text in figures should also be readable ie. of a similar font size to text (If I have to hold the page close or squint then it’s too small!)

• The use of boxes, bullet points, case studies etc. can be effective (e.g. for definitions, background or summary information). Shaded boxes should not be so dark they make reading difficult.

• There should be a clear summary or key messages up front to attract the reader in and let them know the essential details, highlighting key points and conclusions in the text can also help the busy reader.