From the research stage to full operation – The Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information (ZKI) is now on call around the clock. This service facility established in 2004 provides up-to-the minute satellite-based maps for activities related to natural and environmental disasters, humanitarian aid, and civil security worldwide.
Up-to-date geodata is essential if rescue services are to reach the disaster-struck regions and provide help as fast as possible. After all, the regions affected need to be accessible for sufficient material and supplies to be provided in good time.
After the severe earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’ was activated on the morning of the 11 March 2011. All participating institutions were asked to provide satellite imagery of the affected area.
Following the devastating earthquake on Haiti, relief organisations require rapid, reliable and meaningful information on the local situation, the state of the infrastructure and the extent of the damage for their deployment in the disaster zone.
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