Hurricane Melissa Nears Jamaica as Caribbean Braces for Widespread Damage

(c)DisastersCharter

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with wind speeds surpassing 150 miles per hour, is rapidly approaching Jamaica and is expected to cause widespread destruction across the island. The storm’s eye is projected to pass west of the country, but its northern side, which carries the strongest winds and rainfall, is forecast to inflict severe damage. Jamaica’s mountainous terrain increases the risk of flash floods, landslides, and significant infrastructure losses.

AI-Enabled Onboard Edge Computing for Satellite Intelligence in Disaster Management 

AI-Enabled Onboard Edge Computing for Satellite Intelligence in Disaster Management 

Background and Issues 

Traditional Earth observation missions transmit large volumes of raw satellite data to ground stations before any meaningful analysis can occur. In disaster situations, this process causes delays that can reduce the effectiveness of early warning systems and slow emergency response. To overcome these limitations, satellites are now equipped with AI-enabled edge computing systems that can analyze data directly in orbit and transmit only the most relevant results. 

United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)

Northern America
Regional Support Office
44
-79

The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) is one of 13 institutions comprising the United Nations University (UNU), the academic arm of the United Nations. UNU-INWEH operates globally to deliver research, policy engagement, and capacity development that advance sustainability, resilience, and human well-being. For nearly three decades, UNU-INWEH has been a global thought leader on water, health and environmental solutions, addressing critical global security and development challenges

As the newest Regional Support Office (RSO) in the UN-SPIDER network, UNU-INWEH brings its thematic and technical strengths to bolster Earth observation–based support for disaster risk reduction, emergency response, and recovery, especially in climate and water-related hazards and resource management.

UNU-INWEH organizes its work around five interconnected thematic areas that integrate science, policy, and capacity building:

1. Governance, Security and Justice — Enhancing water governance and strong institutions to address security and justice related issues at local, national and regional levels.

2. Water, Energy, and Critical Minerals — Improving water management and use across different sectors, ensuring that energy transitions are inclusive and sustainable, and promoting the responsible sourcing of critical minerals

3. Food, Land, and Biodiversity — Driving transformational change through the development and application of tools and multi-partner research on land and food systems, with the goal of protecting ecosystem services and enhancing human health and well-being.

4. WASH, Health, and Gender — Developing research-based solutions to improve WASH access, strengthen climate-resilient infrastructure, reduce health risk, and promote gender equality.

5. Geospatial, Climate and Infrastructure Analytics — Leveraging geospatial data, AI and advanced analytics to inform policymaking, advance climate action and empower communities to build resilient infrastructure and societies

These thematic areas intersect and reinforce each other, enabling UNU-INWEH to contribute to research, policy, and action that shape sustainable, resilient futures.

UNU-INWEH emphasizes the use of geospatial analysis, climate and infrastructure modeling, and analytics to inform policy and decision making.

  • Flood Inundation and Risk Mapping Tool (https://floodmapping.inweh.unu.edu/)

An online application that maps floodwater extents using optical and SAR remote sensing data within the Google Earth Engine platform. The tool enables historical flood inundation analysis, multivariate damage assessment, and identification of flood frequency and hotspot areas. It also features a flood risk mapping module for the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna River Basin, integrating historical inundation records with socio-economic data.

  • SDG-6 Policy Support System (SDG-PSS): (https://sdgpss.net/en/)

The SDG-PSS enables water experts, researchers, and government actors to collaborate and produce national-level evidence on the enabling environment to achieve SDG 6.

  • Regulated Plants Database: (https://regulatedplants.unu.edu/)

An online database that provides comprehensive information about regulated plant species across different countries. It serves as a resource for researchers, agricultural professionals, and the public to understand the distribution and regulation status of various plant species that can be considered noxious.

  • UNU Sustainability Nexus AID (Analytics, Informatics and Data) Programme (https://www.sustainabilityaid.net/)

The Sustainability Nexus AID Programme is an initiative by UNU that aims at bridging this gap by identifying, developing, and promoting data, information, computational techniques, and analytical tools that facilitate addressing these challenges for the sustainable management of water, soil, waste, energy, and geo-resources based on nexus thinking

UNU-INWEH also has an online learning platform (UNU Online Learning Centre) that features self-paced learning courses related to its thematic areas. More info: https://lc.unu.edu/

In its role as an UN-SPIDER RSO, UNU-INWEH supports workflows combining Earth observation (satellite imagery, remote sensing) with climate, hydrological, and socio-economic data to deliver early warning, impact assessments, and recovery planning.

UNU-INWEH was established in 1996 through an agreement between the United Nations University and the Government of Canada. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, the institute has been developing evidence-based solutions that advance human security, resilience and sustainability worldwide

More information can be found here: https://unu.edu/inweh

UNU-INWEH supports capacity development through:

  • Regional and national training combining geospatial, climate, hydrological, and infrastructure analytics.

  • Toolkits and guidance that adapt global methods to local contexts, data, and institutional capacity.

  • Advisory missions and targeted analytical support for Member States seeking to integrate satellite data in disaster risk management.

  • Documentation and dissemination of best practices and case studies from the Global South, to promote learning and replication.

Through partnerships with national disaster management agencies, water or environment ministries, and academic institutions, UNU-INWEH aims to help countries internalize and sustain satellite-based methods over time.

Manager, Geospatial, Climate and Infrastructure Analysis Program
Dr. Mir Matin
mir.matin [at] unu.edu

Director
Prof. Kaveh Madani

 

SUPARCO Launches Pakistan’s First Hyperspectral Satellite to Strengthen Disaster Management

Suparco launches HS-1 satellite from a Chinese launch centre on Oct. 19, (c) Suparco

Jiuquan, China, 19 October 2025 – Marking a historic milestone in its national space program, Pakistan successfully launched its first Hyperspectral Satellite (HS-1) from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) described the launch as a significant advancement that will enhance the country’s capacity for environmental monitoring and disaster response, ushering in a new phase of space technology for sustainable development.

A New Era in Hyperspectral Earth Observation

https://www.dawn.com/news/1949908

Rocket Lab and Synspective Strengthen Global Earth Observation Network with Seventh StriX Satellite Launch

A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launches from Mahia, New Zealand on the ‘Owl New World’ mission for Synspective, (c) Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab successfully launched Japan-based Synspective’s seventh StriX satellite into low Earth orbit on October 14, 2025, marking its 15th mission of the year and the first of 21 new launches planned for Synspective before the end of the decade. The Electron rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, at 16:33 UTC, deploying the satellite into a 583-kilometer circular orbit after an approximately 50-minute mission.

https://spaceflightnow.com/2025/10/14/rocket-lab-launches-7th-strix-earth-obser…

UNU-INWEH joins the UN-SPIDER RSO Network

Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of UNOOSA, and Kaveh Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH, following the signing of the MoU

UN-SPIDER has welcomed a new Regional Support Office at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH). The cooperation was formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed on 22 September by Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), and Kaveh Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH. The signing took place in New York on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Canada

30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30)

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30th UN Climate Change Conference, (c) COP30

The 30th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) will take place in Belém, Brazil, from 10 to 21 November 2025. The event will also include the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP20) and the 7th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA7).

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UNFCCC
Climate Change Conference
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11/10/2025, 12:00am - 11/21/2025, 12:00am
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City Park / Hangar Convention and Exhibition Centre
Belém
Brazil

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

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