Increasing the Use of Geospatial Technologies for Emergency Response and Disaster Rehabilitation in Developing Countries

Abstract

This paper discusses the notable increase in the availability of space-based data and information to support emergency response, and to a lesser extent disaster rehabilitation and preparedness, and the need to ensure that developing countries are able to access and use space-based technologies (earth observation and meteorological satellites, communication satellites and global navigation satellite systems) for risk reduction and disaster management.

Major initiatives that are helping developing countries are outlined such as the work carried out by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, the creation of the International Charter Space and Major Disasters, and the work carried out by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). This last effort led to the United Nations General Assembly establishing, on 14 December 2006, the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) as a program of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.

The paper concludes by stating that even though there has been an increase in the number of international initiatives and the establishment of a global coordinating platform there is still a need for national institutions that have competence in the use of geospatial technologies to step forward and take a leading role in helping end-users incorporate such solutions in their daily operations.