According to reports, under this collaboration, Fathom will provide its flood data to 16 countries, free of charge for non-commercial use.
The partnership targets regions grappling with limited data resources and facing the severe impacts of climate change. These regions, often among the most vulnerable to flooding, will benefit from enhanced access to critical flood intelligence.
The countries eligible under this agreement encompass Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Federal State of Micronesia, Somalia, Burundi, Djibouti, Mozambique, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Honduras, Pakistan, Timor-Leste, Chad, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, and the Republic of Yemen.
The agreement is a pivotal component of The World Bank’s licensing of Fathom’s Global Flood Map, a venture primarily supported by the Bank-managed Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) along with the Global Shield Financing Facility.
By providing invaluable flood data to these vulnerable nations, the collaboration between Fathom and The World Bank aims to empower governments and communities to make informed decisions and implement effective measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of flooding. This strategic initiative underscores the collective commitment to fostering resilience and sustainability in the face of climate-related challenges on a global scale.
The partnership also marks a significant advancement in improving data accessibility for all participating countries, particularly those experiencing fragile or conflict-affected situations. The initiative aligns with The World Bank’s increased emphasis on utilizing data and knowledge to benefit broader communities, setting a noteworthy precedent in the data industry and highlighting the importance of data availability.
Fathom’s Global Flood Map provides comprehensive flood risk data, covering both inland (rainfall and river) and coastal flood risks in the current climate, as well as intelligence for various climate change scenarios. To aid in future planning, users can analyze flood risk for each climate change scenario across different timeframes, with forecasting data available for the years 2030, 2050, and 2080.
Commenting on the move, Stuart Whitfield, Chief Executive Officer of Fathom, explained: “Awareness is pivotal for managing and mitigating the devastating effects of flooding. We’re incredibly proud to be offering insights into flood risk not previously available for these data-scarce countries, to help support future planning and resilience to water risk.”
