From 3 to 7 March 2014, UN-SPIDER carried out a Technical Advisory Mission (TAM) to Kenya in order to assess the current state and the potential of using space-based information for disaster risk management and emergency response in the country. The Mission was conducted upon the invitation of the Government of Kenya through the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) and National Space Secretariat (NSS).
The mission team comprised nine experts from UN-SPIDER, as well as national experts from governmental and research institutions in the United States, Ireland, Nigeria, South Africa, France, Austria and China. The team visited a total of 19 national and regional institutions, NGOs and United Nations agencies. These meetings provided insight in the role of each organisation in disaster management and in the use of space-based and geospatial information.
Additionally, a one-day workshop was organised on the premises of UN-SPIDER's Regional Support Office RCMRD. 50 participants from academia, ministries, emergency services and international organisations attended. The event included presentations by NDOC, NSS, RCMRD and by all experts of the TAM team. Group discussions were held inviting the participants to think about the current and potential use of space technologies in disaster management. The workshop was effective in generating awareness about possible applications of space-based technologies and the potential for cooperation between different agencies.
