REDLANDS, CALIF.-- December 09, 2022 -- Humanitarian organizations tasked with removing land mines and other explosive ordnance are increasingly relying on digital technology. Modern information management now serves as a foundation for demining operations. To support these endeavors, Esri and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) have renewed and expanded their partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MOU). As a result, humanitarian organizations will be able to use Esri's world-leading geographic information system (GIS) technology to map explosive ordnance to more precisely clear it and ultimately help people return to their homes and use their land safely.

“Through over two decades of partnership with Esri, we have applied GIS to humanitarian demining, an inherently geographic problem,” said Steve Hellen, head of information management, GICHD. “Esri's technology and expertise enable us to help partners assess the nature and extent of hazards, how they affect people, and how to prioritize clearance for the greatest impact.”

The agreement furthers Esri‘s support in modernizing the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA), the GICHD’s flagship platform, used by more than 80 percent of national and United Nations mine action programs globally. Built using Esri's GIS software, the platform serves a critical purpose in the demining process—providing information access to a wide range of stakeholders, as well as real-time visualization and reports on the extent of contamination in specific locations.

“We are honored to support the GICHD in its mission to address this unique humanitarian challenge, which affects people in over 60 countries and territories globally,” said Jack Dangermond, Esri founder and president. “This partnership will provide organizations with greater situational awareness of the hazards they seek to eliminate all over the world and help them to save lives.”

Through the MOU, Esri and the GICHD will aim to broaden GIS capacity and skills in explosive ordnance risk reduction and other humanitarian areas. This collaboration will also include course development, promoting geospatial literacy, and access to GIS expertise.

“We are convinced that Esri's ArcGIS toolset is the best fit for our sector and are delighted to continue building on our relationship with Esri,” said Ambassador Stefano Toscano, GICHD director.