2nd NIDM - Space Technology Application in Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response

There is an increasing trend in disasters both in frequency as well as in the damage caused in terms of human casualties, economic and ecological damage. With the use of Space Technology and GIS it is possible to assess impacts of natural phenomena like floods, drought, earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions and forest fires. Low-cost GIS systems allow local authorities to properly plan the areas under their jurisdiction, and to incorporate the local knowledge and ensure community participation, combined with modeling results from experts.

To achieve this, professionals needs to be trained in the application of GIS and remote sensing for disaster reduction. Disasters Risk Reduction is the key focus area at the national and international level. Use of space-based information for risk reduction and management of disasters is well appreciated by the disaster managers.

Aim

This training programme is particularly aimed at capacity building for Disaster Managers on the applications of space technology for disaster management which will help in bridging the gap between the geo-spatial and disaster management functionaries at various levels.

Objectives

The workshop should also aim at defining long-term needs of capacity building to ensure that the use of space-based information is promoted at all the levels. The main objectives are as follows:

• To review the various international, regional and national initiatives on geo-spatial technologies and application relevant to disaster management
• To sensitize participants in the potential and scope of Remote Sensing and GIS for holistic Disaster Risk Reduction and Management i.e. at various stages of Disaster Management, Data sources and National Initiatives (Mainly DOS)
• Identify various tools, techniques, datasets and methodologies for Geospatial information management with case studies related to application in all phases of disaster management cycle and for various hazards
• To enable the participants to understand the Institutional mechanism for Geoinformation data and Policy framework on Spatial Data Management particular to Disaster Management.
• Review the status, implementation challenges in existing approaches, tools, techniques and methodologies to suggest better strategies.

Target group

The target groups for this programme are members of State Disaster Management Authorities, senior and middle level administrators of the Department of Disaster Management and faculty members of administrative training institutes. Since the course is targeting the user community, prior knowledge on Geoinformatics Technology is not mandatory. However it is advisable to have basic knowledge and aptitude towards the subject of Geoinformatics and its applications.

Contact:

Shirish Ravan, shirish.ravan [at] unoosa.org