Common Operational Datasets (CODs)

Impact of U.S. Foreign Aid Funding Cuts

Due to the recent U.S. foreign aid funding reductions and a stop work order issued to the ITOS project Field Information Services (FIS) team is revising our approach to the collection, processing, and dissemination of Common Operational Datasets (COD-AB). We are developing a new workflow to ensure continued access to reliable administrative boundary data, though with a more focused scope. Additional updates will be provided here as our process evolves.

Impact of U.S. Foreign Aid Funding Cuts

Due to the recent U.S. foreign aid funding reductions and a stop work order issued to the ITOS project Field Information Services (FIS) team is revising our approach to the collection, processing, and dissemination of Common Operational Datasets (COD-AB). We are developing a new workflow to ensure continued access to reliable administrative boundary data, though with a more focused scope. Additional updates will be provided here as our process evolves.

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:
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 (see COD-AB quality and COD-PS quality):
- ‘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 Sint Maarten, which is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, 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 [????]

For further information see the Common Operational Datasets subsections and additional articles at left.