In 2011 UN-SPIDER carried out a Technical Advisory Mission in order to assess the potential of space-based information in responding to these hazards. One of the mission’s recommendations was to conduct training activities on the generation and use of space-based information in efforts related to disaster-risk management and emergency response. As a follow up to this recommendation, UN-SPIDER organized a training course.
Experts from Regional Centre for Training in Aerospace Surveys (RECTAS) and the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)
Some 25 participants from DPC/MINETAD and representatives various other ministries and universities attended the training. In addition, 7 participants from other Central Africa states (Burundi, Congo, DR Congo, Gabon) participated.
The training was conducted in French language using software donated by Esri (ArcGIS 10 French) and the ILWIS Academic version. The group had access to recent very high resolution Quickbird sample images over hotspots in Cameroon, courtesy of Digital Globe, Inc. The training covered basic elements of remote sensing, GIS basics and simple data extraction and geo-referencing techniques, accompanied by various presentations and visual material on use of remote sensing for disaster management.
