Hazard And Risk Profile Information System – Sierra Leone (HARPIS-SL) integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Management Information System (MIS) systems and mobile data collection technology to provide a family of sophisticated tools and Web services for collecting, managing, visualizing, mapping, analysing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting on various aspects of disaster risks, hazards, vulnerability, exposure and disaster management in Sierra Leone. This integrated and holistic platform puts the HARPIS-SL on a more sturdy foundation. The ability of the ONS-DMD and various stakeholders to make sound disaster risks, hazards, vulnerability, exposure and disaster management decisions can be greatly enhanced by the cross-sectoral integration of information within the HARPIS-SL.

The ability of the Office of National Security-Disaster Management Department (ONS-DMD) to make sound risk, hazard and disaster management decisions – to analyze risks and decide upon appropriate counter-measures - can be greatly enhanced by the cross-sectoral integration of information within the HARPIS. HARPIS-SL has been designed and developed by INTEGEMS under the UNDP sponsored "Update of Sierra Leone Hazard Profile and Capacity Gap Analysis Project". The Project’s main objective is to establish a National risk profile. The ability of the ONS-DMD to make sound disaster management decisions – to analyze risks and decide upon appropriate counter-measures - can be greatly enhanced by the cross-sectoral integration of disaster risks, hazards, vulnerability, exposure and disaster management information within the HARPIS-SL. For example, to understand the full short- and long-term implications of floods and to plan accordingly requires the analysis of combined data on hazards, vulnerability, exposure, meteorology, topography, soil characteristics, vegetation, hydrology, settlements, infrastructure, transportation, population, socio-economics and material resources. This information comes from many different sources and at present it is difficult in the ONS-DMD to bring it all together.

The hazard and vulnerability assessments and mapping components of the HARPIS-SL are the cornerstone of preparedness planning as well as planning and implementation of mitigation programmes. All HARPIS-SL data and information are of critical use in the preparedness plan as well as in the actual response operations. The HARPIS-SL has been built bottom up from the lowest administrative unit (Administrative Section) to the level (national) for disaster risks, hazards, vulnerability, exposure and disaster management assessments. The Administrative Section and Chiefdom databases feed into the District and Provincial databases and then into the National database.

• Hazard, vulnerability and exposure assessment mapping
• Socio-demographic distribution
• Infrastructure, lifelines and critical facilities
• Logistics and transportation routes
• Human and material response resources
• Communication facilities
• Environmental, natural resources
• Meteorological
• Hydrological, topographical and geological