# Tools & Methods <a id="tools-and-methods"></a>

In addition to the [GIS in Anticipatory Action](../GIS_AA/en_GIS_AA_overview.md) case studies, the platform documents a set of **reusable tools and methods** that are applied across different GIS in Anticipatory Action workflows and humanitarian mapping contexts. These are documented separately from individual case studies, since the same tools are often reused across different hazards, countries, and operational contexts.

Currently available tools include the **Sketch Map Tool** for offline, participatory mapping, the **AILAS** street-level imagery collection workflow for road passability assessment, and the **Risk Assessment QGIS Plugin** (including GAIA indicator processing).

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## Available Tools <a id="available-tools"></a>

### Sketch Map Tool <a id="sketch-map-tool"></a>
**Focus:** Offline, participatory mapping with paper maps  
**Key elements:**
- Creation of printable sketch maps with OpenStreetMap or satellite imagery basemaps
- Automatic georeferencing and digitisation of hand-drawn markings
- Integration of local knowledge into GIS

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:::{grid-item-card}
:link: ../Mobile_Data_collection/en_SMT
:link-type: doc
__Sketch Map Tool__
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:link: ../Mobile_Data_collection/en_SMT_training
:link-type: doc
__Sketch Map Tool Training Exercises__
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### AI Logistic Awareness System (AILAS) <a id="ai-logistic-awareness-system-ailas"></a>
**Focus:** Street-level image collection for road passability assessment  
**Key elements:**
- Field experiments for collecting street-level imagery
- Camera setup and usage in the field
- Upload and management of the collected pictures

:::{card}
:link: ../GIS_AA/en_AILAS_madagascar
:link-type: doc
__AILAS Street Level Image Collection Field Experiments__
:::

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### Risk Assessment QGIS Plugin <a id="risk-assessment-qgis-plugin"></a>
**Focus:** Risk assessment for the development of Early Action Protocols  
**Key elements:**
- Calculation of risk scores from exposure, vulnerability and coping capacity indicators
- Generation of input indicators from commonly available geospatial data
- Ready-made indicators from the Global Aggregation of Indicators for Anticipatory Action (GAIA) pipeline

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:link: ../GIS_AA/en_qgis_risk_assessment_plugin
:link-type: doc
__Risk Assessment QGIS Plugin__
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:link: ../GIS_AA/en_qgis_generate_indicators_for_plugin
:link-type: doc
__How to generate Risk Indicators__
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:link: ../GIS_AA/en_gaia_indicators_processing
:link-type: doc
__GAIA Pipeline Documentation__
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