A new method for identifying and mapping areas vulnerable to Covid-19 in an armed conflict zone: Case study north-west Syria

In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, a method for identifying and mapping vulnerable areas in an armed conflict zone seems necessary to limit the risk and anticipate the spread of contamination. It may also assist in the preparation of health infrastructures and the development of strategies to manage such infrastructures as this pandemic, which affects the whole world and has created chaos in fragile states, is causing significant problems in armed conflict zones. To achieve these objectives, geographic information technologies, remote sensing and spatial modelling currently offer new potential for anticipating the spread of risk in armed conflict zones and better managing health or natural emergencies. In this paper, we present the Risk of Vulnerability to COVID-19 in War Zones Index “Id_Covid19_WZ”. This index was calculated based on several factors and by using spatial data. A risk map was then created from this data developed for the north-west of Syria, an area where there has been intense fighting for several years. • Identify areas vulnerable to the Covid-19 pandemic. • Anticipating the spread of risk in armed conflict zones. • Using remote sensing and spatial modelling to managing health emergencies.