Myanmar Information Management Unit MIMU, UNDP/UN Resident Coordinator

Overview

The Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU) is a United Nations service providing information management support to humanitarian, development, and peace-focused organizations operating in Myanmar. Established in 2007, MIMU is managed directly by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and is operationally supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It serves as Myanmar's primary provider of maps, geographic information system (GIS) resources, and baseline data for the humanitarian and development community.

History and Founding

MIMU was established in 2007 in response to the complex information management needs of the large humanitarian and development community working in Myanmar. Since its founding, it has grown to serve tens of thousands of users monthly and has built one of the most comprehensive geospatial and baseline data resources for any single country in the UN system. MIMU receives strategic guidance from an Advisory Board representing UN agencies, international and national NGOs, and Myanmar-based donors, ensuring its independence and broad relevance across sectors.

Collections and Holdings

MIMU's holdings include: Myanmar's authoritative system of place codes (Pcodes) covering approximately 67,000 locations; a Baseline Dataset of 292 indicators from 431 sources; historical flood and earthquake mapping covering 100+ years of events; the biannual 5W (Who, What, When, Where, for Whom) activity database with contributions from over 200 agencies; Township Profiles; and emergency preparedness and disaster monitoring dashboards. MIMU also holds GIS layers for administrative boundaries, roads, rivers, railways, schools, health facilities, and land cover across Myanmar.

Notable Materials

MIMU's 5W initiative is one of the largest of its kind globally, providing a continuously updated picture of humanitarian and development activities across Myanmar. The platform also contains extensive mapping of conflict-affected areas and displaced populations, particularly valuable since the 2021 military coup.

Access and Usage

MIMU's maps, datasets, and tools are freely accessible through its website at themimu.info. The platform recorded approximately 58,000 monthly users and 4.5 million page views in 2022. MIMU also convenes the Information Management Network and the GIS Working Group for inter-agency technical coordination.