The Disaster Management Center (DMC) of Sri Lanka has become an Authorized User (AU) of the International Charter Space and Major Disasters.
In 2005, DMC was established to act as the main organization for planning, coordination, and execution of natural and other forms of disasters. Among the fundamental functions of DMC is to assist and take responsibility in planning and implementing the national disaster management plan and the national emergency operation plan.
The International Charter on Space and Major Disasters has been operating since 2000, supporting disaster response efforts through satellite-derived information. The Charter is a worldwide collaboration between space agencies. As an Authorized User (AU), DMC will be able to request activations in instances of fast-onset disasters of natural or technological origin.
The United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) joined efforts with DMC in April 2017 to conduct a training course on flood mapping and drought early warning, focusing on the UN-SPIDER Recommended Practices on flood and drought mapping.
