Common Operational Datasets

Common Operational Datasets or CODs, part of a coupling with Fundamental Operational Datasets, are sets of baseline data used to support operations and decision-making in humanitarian disaster preparedness, response and recovery. The data is typically geo-spatially linked using a coordinate system, and displayable using GIS and spreadsheet software. Examples include ;

• Administrative boundaries
• Settlement layouts
• Communications links (e.g. road, rail, port, power and telephone infrastructure)
• Key infrastructure (e.g. medical facilities, education centers, community meeting spaces)
• Geographical features (e.g. hydrology, geology, vegetation coverage, land elevation)
• Population statistics
• Assessed disaster impacts and/or needs (e.g. infrastructure and communications damage, affected populations statistics, affected land area)
• Humanitarian ground activity (e.g. refugee camps, aid distribution points, bases of operations)

Whilst some datasets remain relatively constant (e.g. geographical features and administrative boundaries) others change (Assessed disaster impacts and needs) and require to be regularly updated.