This is the first Russian online platform with the aim to inform about various Russian humanitarian aid and International Development Assistance projects by collecting data from open sources. Users will be able to filter information according to their needs. The platform will be working in several languages — Russian and English versions are currently available.

Opening the press conference, Yevgeny Primakov said that it is important to spread information about humanitarian aid and IDA projects supported by Russia. Humanitarian aid is not just a “charity" for Russia, but on the contrary is "an investment that is beneficial for our country in the future", stressed Primakov.

“The Humanitarian Map” was kick-started in April 2020 due to an increase in a number of cases of humanitarian cooperation related to the coronavirus pandemic. The co-founder of the project Mikhail Petrosyan defined its mission as "informing the world, Russian citizens and experts about Russia’s aid to its partner countries”. Due to present difficulties in communication with foreign audiences, “The Humanitarian Map” can serve as one of the most effective communication tools to convey an objective image of Russia to the world community and to raise awareness about Russia’s contribution to international development.

Fyodor Lukyanov, Chairman of Presidium of the Council on foreign and defense policy and chief editor of "Russia in global politics" magazine, also welcomed the initiative with open arms. He noted that the world is going through significant changes which affect both forms and meanings of work previously done in the international arena. Therefore, “The Humanitarian Map” can be seen as an extremely timely initiative.