Saba Zehra is a dedicated professional with nine years of experience in a USAID funded program. She is currently pursuing an HOR degree at the University of Sydney. Saba's passion lies in leveraging data to address climate change challenges and promote open data initiatives that empower communities and policymakers. Throughout her career, Saba has actively advocated for the accessibility and transparency of information. She believes in the power of open data to enable data-driven decisions leading to positive and sustainable outcomes.

Saba Zehra's commitment to using data for the greater good reflects her dedication to helping communities thrive amidst climate change challenges. Her expertise in data-driven solutions and open data initiatives contributes to promoting sustainable development and informed decision-making. She remains focused on harnessing data's potential to shape a better and more resilient future.

IVLP Impact Award Project: Streamlining River Indus: A Geospatial Portal for Sindh Waterways

This project developed a comprehensive web portal that serves as a centralized platform for accessing and analyzing hydrological data related to the rivers, tributaries and river discharge in Sindh Province. The web portal provided a user-friendly interface, allowing stakeholders, researchers, policymakers and the general public to access, visualize and utilize the hydrological data for various purposes. The key features of the web portal include an interactive map displaying the river network, data visualizations showcasing river discharge trends and the ability to query and download specific datasets. The portal also offers tools for data analysis and exploration, enabling users to gain insights and make informed decisions based on the hydrological information. The portal increased access to information for stakeholders across various sectors, enabling more informed decision-making processes and reached 500 people through an awareness campaign. Visit the portal: https://indi0614f6d0d765.maps.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=ccf1495ce93948799fc7188f73b21774

“By centralizing comprehensive data on water resources and facilitating transparent access to information, the portal empowers stakeholders to make informed decisions and promotes equitable resource allocation. I'm particularly drawn to its potential to democratize access to valuable insights, empowering diverse users to make informed decisions and drive positive change.” – Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Saba was a participant in the IVLP Project Improved Water Management, Distribution, and Pricing in Water-Scarce Environments, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Cultural Vistas.

Saba's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "I was particularly impressed by Dr. Sarah Porter's presentation at ASU, where she showcased the potential of GIS portals for water management. She is the Director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy. Seeing the impact of the portal in real-time motivated me to think about creating a similar GIS portal for the rivers in Sindh. During my stay in United States last year, Pakistan experienced one of the worst floods, and this further emphasized the need for a comprehensive, real-time portal that would provide all relevant information in one place."

U.S. Communities Visited

Phoenix, AR; Boulder, CO; Washington, DC; Boise, ID; Las Vegas, NV

"I believe in the power of data, and I strive to drive positive change by promoting transparency and accessibility of information." - Saba Zehra

Country: Pakistan

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