Common Operational Datasets (CODs)

CODs

are authoritative reference datasets needed to support operations and decision-making for all actors in a humanitarian response.
are standardized datasets that are commonly used and referenced by all operations.
are of four types:
- administrative boundaries (COD-AB) and edge-matched administrative boundaries (COD-EM) available in various Geographic Information System (GIS) formats, and accompanying gazetteers
- population statistics (COD-PS) available as .xlsx and .csv tables, and accompanying gazetteers
- country-specific (COD-CS) available in relevant formats.
reflect the local hierarchical administrative structure,¹ are annotated with place names and P-codes, and are generally accompanied by a tabular gazetteer.
are best available datasets that ensure consistency and simplify the management of key data.
are accepted in country² or in their region by the relevant Information Management Working Group.
are catalogued at the COD Portal [LINK SUBJECT TO CHANGE SOON].
are disseminated at the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX). COD-AB and COD-EM datasets are also available as live GIS geoservices.
enable consistency and harmonization among actors working on humanitarian preparedness and response by providing:
- a common operational picture of the crisis
- a geographic framework (P-codes) for data collection, analysis, and visualization.
are available in two quality classifications:
- ‘enhanced CODs’ with full quality control, compatibility, and reliability
- ‘standard CODs’ not yet fully quality controlled.
facilitate informed decision making both pre- and post-crisis.
reduce duplication of work on baseline data by partnering organizations.
strengthen valuable humanitarian networks and relationships.
drive API look-up information

¹ Except some COD-CS datasets

² CODs are generally prepared for sovereign states recognized by the UN Secretariat, but in some cases reflect sub-national territories. For example, there are CODs for Puerto Rico, which is a part of USA, but not for Taiwan, which is not a recognized member state.

Terminology

Term	Explanation
Administrative level	CODs (and administrative structures) are hierarchical with administrative levels numbered from zero (the entire country or territory) down as far as appropriate. Because the names of administrative levels vary so much between countries and territories, and because a particular country and administrative level may contain features of more than one administrative type, the generic term ‘administrative level’ is preferred in COD management. Administrative levels may be abbreviated ADM1 etc.
Administrative structure	The heart of any COD is its adherence to and echoing of the accepted administrative structure of the country or territory. The administrative structure of a country or territory consists of the administrative features comprising each administrative level.
Country-Specific COD
Feature	An individual geographic unit within the set of units comprising an administrative level in a COD. For instance “California” is an administrative level 1 feature in USA.



P-code

There are four general types of COD:

There are two quality levels of COD:

Enhanced CODs
Standard CODs

Criterion	COD-AB and COD-EM enhanced (green dot in COD Portal)	COD-AB and COD-EM standard (grey dot in COD Portal)	COD-PS enhanced	COD-PS standard
Quality control	ITOS	OCHA FIS	UNFPA	OCHA FIS
Schema	Standardized	Not guaranteed to be standardized	Standardized	Not guaranteed to be standardized
Feature names	Complete and unique within administrative level. Latin alphabet and any other local alphabet		Complete and unique within administrative level. Latin alphabet and any other local alphabet
P-codes	Alphanumeric, complete, unique, and incorporated into ITOS database	Alphanumeric, complete, unique, and incorporated into ITOS database	Alphanumeric, complete, unique, and incorporated into ITOS database	Alphanumeric, complete, unique, and incorporated into ITOS database
Feature name and P-code hierarchical nesting	Guaranteed	Not guaranteed	Guaranteed	Not guaranteed
Boundary topology	Guaranteed	Not guaranteed	(not applicable)	(not applicable)
Live geoservices	Provided	Provided	(not applicable)	(not applicable)
Geographic hierarchical nesting	Guaranteed except for specially justified cases	Not guaranteed	(not applicable)	(not applicable)
Features cover entire country	Guaranteed except for specially justified cases

Administrative Boundary COD (COD-AB)

COD-AB datasets are GIS (Geographic Information System) layers that can be used for GIS mapping or analysis. COD-AB

COD-AB polygon layers

COD-AB lines layers

COD-AB file formats and distribution

Population Statistics COD (COD-PS)

Edge-Matched Boundary COD (COD-EM)

Country-Specific COD (COD-CS)

P-codes

CODs for a particular country should be linked by P-codes to each other and to other humanitarian data.

Suggested styling. It is recommended that feature names be contained in quotes and P-codes be contained in square brackets. For instance:

“Lavengatonga” [TO1407]

Enhanced CODs

Enhanced CODs have undergone improved development and quality control. Enhanced COD-AB and COD-EM datasets have been quality controlled and standardized by ITOS. Enhanced COD-PS datasets have been prepared (and therefore quality controlled and standardized) by UNFPA. Enhanced CODs are identified in HDX datasets views and on their HDX dataset pages with a “COD+” icon.

Most new or recently updated COD-AB, COD-EM, and COD-PS datasets are enhanced.

Standard CODs

Standard CODs are those that are not Enhanced. These include older COD-AB datasets, older COD-PS datasets (not contributed by UNFPA), and all COD-CS datasets.

Standard CODs are identified in HDX dataset views and on their HDX dataset pages with a “COD” icon.

Finding CODs

CODs are available for download from the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX). Approximately six hundred HDX datasets are CODs. All HDX dataset views contain a filter near the top-left for all CODs and a sub-filter for “Standard CODs” and “Enhanced CODs”. (These distinctions are described below.)

All COD datasets visible in any HDX dataset view have a “COD” icon (for Standard CODs) or a “COD+” icon for Enhanced CODs.

HDX provides a ‘Common Operational Database’ page (found in the “PRODUCTS” pull-down near the top of any page) which is merely a dataset view of CODs held on HDX.

HDX datasets contain ‘Data and Resources’ and ‘Metadata’. The Data and Resources are the actual files (shapefiles, spreadsheets, etc.) or external links (ITOS live geoservices) comprising a COD. Resources can be individually downloaded.

COD Portal

COD branding and visibility

COD development, reviews and management

COD development

Stakeholder validation

COD Flyer FR (2016)

COD Flyer EN (2016)

COD Poster (2018)

COD song (music video - mentions COD endorsement which is now less formal)
How a dataset becomes a COD (music video - emphasises COD endorsement which is now less formal)
50 things OCHA IMOs are responsible (iceberg) (infographic)
50 things OCHA and Core CODs (chart) (infographic)
Introduction to COD Webinar
https://data.humdata.org/dashboards/cod