CoMaps: The Offline App That Guided Rescuers Without a Signal in Venezuela

The CoMaps app, built on OpenStreetMap data, is designed to work completely offline and can be used in emergency situations where cell coverage is unreliable. During the Venezuela earthquake in 2026, Anton Wenemoser and Bastian Greshake Tzovaras, co-founders of CoMaps, found the app particularly useful when they were caught in a zone with no cell coverage.

The app, which relies solely on GPS and does not require internet access, allowed them to navigate to their destinations without relying on a specialized map coordinator. CoMaps' mapping data is updated weekly, sourced from volunteer efforts on the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap (HOT) Tasking Manager. This real-time update capability enabled rescue teams to access the latest map data, which included thousands of buildings mapped by volunteers, facilitating their response efforts on the ground.

The app's design makes it accessible to non-specialists, making it an invaluable tool for organizations without the technical capacity to process and utilize OpenStreetMap data directly.