An Improved Understanding of Natural Hazards and Disasters through the Use of Satellite Technologies: Contributions from UN-SPIDER

This communication informs on how the UN-SPIDER program of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs contributes to the efforts of the United Nations’ system to mobilize international cooperation to mitigate the risks related to natural hazards, to coordinate disaster relief efforts, and to facilitate the links between disaster response and recovery. This communication presents information on how UN-SPIDER shapes its advisory support to developing countries to contribute to the institutionalization of the use of space-based data, information, products, and services by government agencies in charge of disaster management. It does so by providing examples of step-by-step procedures developed using open software and open satellite imagery; information regarding some of the efforts carried out by the program to facilitate access to space-based information provided by mechanisms established by the space community to support disaster response efforts worldwide; and information on its advisory support to developing countries, including training efforts. Lastly, this paper shows that the approach implemented by UN-SPIDER is allowing national disaster management agencies and other government agencies and ministries to institutionalize the use of space-based data, information, products, and services.