Common Operational Datasets (CODs)

CODs

• are authoritative reference datasets needed to support operations and decision-making for all actors in a humanitarian response.

• pertain to a recognized country or territory¹.

• are standardized datasets that are commonly used and referenced by all operations.

• are of four types²:

  • 1: administrative boundaries (COD-AB) and 2: edge-matched administrative boundaries (COD-EM) available in various Geographic Information System (GIS) formats, and accompanying gazetteers

  • 3: population statistics (COD-PS) available as .xlsx and .csv tables, and accompanying gazetteers

  • 4: country-specific (COD-CS) available in relevant formats.

• reflect the local hierarchical administrative structure,² 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 country³ 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 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.

2 Previously a ‘Humanitarian Profile’ COD-HP type existed, which presented tabular People-in-Need information derived from Humanitarian Needs Overviews. This information is now provided in country-specific ‘Humanitarian Needs’ (non-COD) datasets disseminated in HDX by OCHA Humanitarian Programme Cycle Tools (HPC Tools). For further information see HPC Tools.

¹ Except some COD-CS datasets