Space technology and disaster reduction
From HFA-PEDIA
Contents |
What's New
- UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, Jul 2010
This book aims to explain to governments, decision makers and disaster professionals the potential uses of geoinformation technologies for reducing disaster risks and losses, based on the knowledge and experience of experts in these fields. It covers all regions of the world and all aspects of disaster risk and its management. Disasters in China, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, the Philippines, Sudan, and the USA are analysed in detail.
The papers included in the book: (i) presents technologies, systems, and approaches that are intended for global early warning, monitoring and support; (ii) addresses the integration of satellite and airborne products for immediate response and damage detection in large impact disasters in Haiti, Mexico and Sudan; (iii) demonstrates fusion of sensors networks measurements, imagery and GIS data for monitoring and simulation of floods, landslides, tunnels and earthquakes; and (iv) illustrates the benefit of integration of imagery and GIS data in post-disaster situations and for risk management. Preface by Margareta Wahlström, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, it is complemented by the mission profiles of the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) and the JBGIS member societies.
Side event held at the II Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, June 16-19, 2009
Space Technology and Disaster Management
Under the theme "Space benefits for humanity in the twenty-first century", the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III) was held in Vienna from 19 to 30 July 1999. In its resolution 1, the Conference adopted The Space Millennium: Vienna Declaration on Space and Human Development, that was subsequently endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 54/68. The Vienna Declaration recommended 33 specific actions that should be taken to enable space technologies to contribute to the solution of global challenges of the new millennium. One of the recommendations put forward was the need "to implement an integrated, global system, especially through international cooperation, to manage natural disaster mitigation, relief and prevention efforts, especially of an international nature, through Earth observation, communications and other space-based services, making maximum use of existing capabilities and filling gaps in worldwide satellite coverage".
The use of space-based solutions and information has increased significantly since UNISPACE-III. The use of such technologies has been proven useful in the risk assessment, mitigation and preparedness phases of disaster management. As the global community learnt from the tsunami event of December 2004, space technologies have a central role to play in providing early warning to communities that are at risk. But in order for developing countries to be able to incorporate the use of space technology-based solutions there is a need to increase awareness, build national capacity and also develop solutions that are customised and appropriate to the needs of the developing world. This was the main goal of the space technology and disaster management programme carried out by the Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), between 2000 - 2004.
UNOOSA organized a series of regional workshops on the use of space technology for disaster management bringing the results of the regional workshops to an international workshop, held in Munich, Germany, in October 2004. At that workshop, 170 participants from 51 countries agreed on a global strategy that would help developing countries to gain access to and be able to use space technology for disaster management, a strategy put forward as the Munich Vision: a Global Strategy for Improved Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Using Space Technology (A/AC.105/837, annex).
Participants recognized that space-based technologies such as Earth observation satellites, communication satellites, meteorological satellites and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) played an important role in risk reduction and disaster management, and made a number of recommendations in the areas of capacity development and knowledge-building; data access, data availability and information extraction; enhancing awareness; and national, regional and global coordination.
The recommendations and conclusions put forward by the participants of the various workshops, including the final workshop in Munich, were taken into consideration by the ad hoc expert group that was studying the proposal of a coordinating entity that should be created and that would be a "one-stop shop" to provide support to the disaster management community at large, that would be a platform for fostering alliances, and that would also contribute to bridging the gap between the disaster management and space communities. Subsequently, by its resolution 61/110 of 14 December 2006, the General Assembly decided to establish the proposed United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) as a programme within the United Nations to provide universal access to all countries and all relevant international and regional organizations to all types of space-based information and services relevant to disaster management to support the full disaster management cycle by being a gateway to space information for disaster management support, serving as a bridge to connect the disaster management and space communities and being a facilitator of capacity-building and institutional strengthening, in particular for developing countries (http://www.unspider.org).
Source: UNOOSA
International Charter
The International Charter "Space and Major Disasters" aims at providing a unified system of space data acquisition and delivery to those affected by disasters arising from natural or socio-natural hazards through Authorized Users. Each member agency has committed resources to support the provisions of the Charter and thus is helping to mitigate the effects of disasters on human life and property.
The International Charter "Space and Major Disasters" was founded in 1999 with the aim of providing “a unified system of space data acquisition and delivery to those affected by natural or man-made disasters”. Charter members include space agencies (the Argentinean, Canadian, Chinese, European, and Japanese for instance), research institutions (the French Centre national d'études spatiales and the American National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Geological Survey) and commercial vendors that provide a wide range of satellite imagery (RADARSAT, ERS, ENVISAT, SPOT, IRS, SAC-C, NOAA satellites, LANDSAT, ALOS, DMC satellites and others) at no cost to users.
In the event of a major natural disaster, the “Space Charter” is triggered by an “Authorized user” and the charter’s members activate for the collection of satellite imagery for the affected area(s). The satellite data are then passed on to a specifically appointed “Project Manager” that will provide the authorized user (and other organizations) with imagery-derived products such as maps (PDF/JPG) or data (e.g.: flooded areas vector data for organizations with their own map-making capacity).
Authorized users include Civil Protection Agencies from the signatory countries (the countries whose space agencies are members of the Charter) as well as specialized UN agencies such as OCHA, UNOOSA,UNOSAT and ReliefWeb.
See more: http://www.disasterscharter.org/
Agencies
UNOSAT
UNOSAT is the UN Institute for Training and Research ([www.unitar.org UNITAR]) Operational Satellite Applications Programme, implemented in cooperation with the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the European Organisation of High Energy Physics (CERN).
UNOSAT is a people-centred programme delivering satellite solutions to relief and development organisations within and outside the UN system to help make a difference in the life of communities exposed to poverty, hazards and risk, or affected by humanitarian and other crises. Its mission is to deliver integrated satellite-based solutions for human security, peace and socio-economic development, in keeping with the mandate given to UNITAR by the UN General Assembly since 1963.
See more: http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat
UNOOSA - UN-SPIDER
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), located at the United Nations Office at Vienna, Austria, is the UN office responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. UNOOSA serves as the secretariat for the General Assembly's only committee dealing exclusively with international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space: the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). UNOOSA is also responsible for implementing the Secretary-General's responsibilities under international space law and maintaining the United Nations Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space.
Through the United Nations Programme on Space Applications, UNOOSA conducts international workshops, training courses and pilot projects on topics that include remote sensing, satellite navigation, satellite meteorology, tele-education and basic space sciences for the benefit of developing nations. It also maintains a 24-hour hotline as the United Nations focal point for satellite imagery requests during disasters and manages the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER).
UNOOSA is the current secretariat of the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG) and prepares and distributes reports, studies and publications on various fields of space science and technology applications and international space law. Documents and reports are available in all official languages of the United Nations through its website.
UN-SPIDER
In its resolution 61/110 of 14 December 2006 the United Nations General Assembly agreed to establish the "United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response - UN-SPIDER" as a new United Nations programme, with the following mission statement: "Ensure that all countries and international and regional organizations have access to and develop the capacity to use all types of space-based information to support the full disaster management cycle".
Whereas there have been a number of initiatives in recent years that have contributed to making space technologies available for humanitarian and emergency response UN-SPIDER is the first to focus on the need to ensure access to and use of such solutions during all phases of the disaster, including the risk reduction phase which will significantly contribute to an increasing reduction in loss of lives and property.
The UN-SPIDER programme is achieving this by focusing on being a gateway to space information for disaster management support, by serving as a bridge to connect the disaster management and space communities and by being a facilitator of capacity-building and institutional strengthening, in particular for developing countries.
UN-SPIDER is being implemented as an open network of providers of space-based solutions to support disaster management activities. Besides Vienna (where UNOOSA is located), the programme also has an office in Bonn, Germany and will also have an office in Beijing, China and a Liaison Office in Geneva, Switzerland. Additionally, both Nigeria and Algeria are setting up Regional Support Offices.
UN-Spider Updates is available to members of a user list. Subscription to the UN-SPIDER user list can be done through: http://www.ungiwg.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/unspider
Calendar of Events with upcoming Conferences, Meetings and Events relevant to the area of
space-based solutions for disaster management and emergency response: Calendar
UNGIWG
The United Nations Geographical Information Working Group (UNGIWG) is a network of professionals working in the fields of cartography and geographic information science to building the UN Spatial Data Infrastructure needed to achieve sustainable development.
UNGIWG was formed in 2000 to address common geospatial issues - maps, boundaries, data exchange, standards - that affect the work of UN Organizations and Member States. UNGIWG also works directly with non-governmental organizations, research institutions and industry to develop and maintain common geographic databases and geospatial technologies to enhance normative and operational capabilities. The Working Group reports periodically to the UN Chief Executive Board (CEB) on progress made and priority issues.
Specifically UNGIWG aims to:
- improve the efficient use of geographic information for better decision-making;
- promote standards and norms for maps and other geospatial information;
- develop core maps to avoid duplication;
- build mechanisms for sharing, maintaining and assuring the quality of geographic information; and
- provide a forum for discussing common issues and emerging technological changes.
Related Organizations - GIS Tools, Technology & Scientific Research
SERVIR
SERVIR, the Latin American and Caribbean regional visualization and monitoring system produced by the Centro del Agua del Trópico Húmedo para América Latina y el Caribe - Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean - (CATHALAC).
CATHALAC was established in 1992 as an autonomous non-profit international organization that promotes sustainable development through applied scientific research and education on water resources and the environment. Its mission is to promote integrated watershed management in Latin America and the Caribbean, through applied investigation, education and technology transfer.
See more: http://www.cathalac.org
ESRI
ESRI is a world leader in GIS (geographic information system) modeling and mapping software and technology.
See more: http://www.esri.com
ILWIS
The Integrated Land and Water Information System (ILWIS) is ITC's PC-based GIS & Remote Sensing and GIS software, developed by ITC up to its last release (version 3.3) in 2005. ILWIS comprises a complete package of image processing, spatial analysis and digital mapping. As of July 1st, 2007, ILWIS software is freely available ('as-is' and free of charge) as open source software (binaries and source code) under the 52°North initiative (GPL license). This software version is called ILWIS 3.4 Open.
See more: http://www.itc.nl/ilwis
ITC
The International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), through education, research and project services, contributes to capacity building in countries economically and/or technologically less advanced with considerable attention paid to the development and application of geographical information systems (GIS) for solving problems - including determining the risks of landslides, mapping forest fires, planning urban infrastructure, and implementing land administration systems, to designing wildlife management systems or detecting environmental pollution.
The ITC has a Research Programme that develops cutting-edge knowledge and innovative approaches in geo-information science and earth observation. The programme addresses applications of geospatial data for space and resource management and provision of geospatial data for the user community.
URL: http://www.itc.nl
Other links
- UNGIWG's Webpage on Data portals and links
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Networks
RESPOND
Respond is an alliance of international organisations working with the humanitarian community to improve access to maps, satellite imagery and geographic information.
Geographic scope: International
See more: http://www.respond-int.org/respondlive/
RISK-EOS
RISK-EOS services combine the use of satellite observation data with exogeneous data and modelling techniques, targeted to serve the needs of risk management actors from throughout Europe. Started since 2003, RISK-EOS is a network of European service providers delivering geo-information services to support the management of flood, fire and other risk throughout all phases.
Geographic scope: Europe
See more: http://www.risk-eos.com
Terminology
Acronyms
DIP - Digital Image Processing
DEM - Digital Elevation Model
DTM - Digital Terrain Modelling
EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment
GIS - Geographic Information System
GPS - Global Positioning System
GRID - Global Resource Information Database
GSDI - Global Spatial Data Infrastructure
Landsat - Land Remote Sensing Satellite
Lidar - Light Detection and Ranging
