UN-SPIDER Virtual International Expert Meeting "Space-based Solutions for Risk and Disaster Management in Africa"

Floods in northern Madagascar in late January 2020. Image: NASA.

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) through its UN-SPIDER programme.

Centre for Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces (ZFL), University of Bonn.

Tue, 30 Jun - Thu, 2 Jul 2020

The UN-SPIDER Virtual International Expert Meeting “Space-based Solutions for Risk and Disaster Management in Africa” aims to contribute to an increased use of satellite technologies and novel applications developed by the space and the geospatial community in African countries to respond to challenges posed by natural hazards. The International Expert Meeting will:

  • Compile suggestions to facilitate the generation of actionable information combining various sources of space-based, in situ and big data, with a focus on early warning systems

  • Compile elements or inputs to design the catalog of web-based solutions for risk and disaster management, incorporated in the UN-SPIDER Knowledge Portal

One topic to be addressed is how to combine dynamic data sources which provide global information with similar dynamic data sources that provide information in Africa, and those that are generated by national institutions. The other topic is how to incorporate that information into decision support systems that facilitate the visualization of the data in an integrated fashion.

The outcomes, results and key recommendations of this International Expert Meeting will be published as a technical report and will be incorporated into the UN-SPIDER plan of work for the coming years.

The Expert Meeting will be conducted online over a period of three days. Every day an online session will be held in the morning on a specific topic lasting 90 minutes. The sessions will include presentations and discussions. In addition, an online training session will be conducted during one afternoon so that participants may take note of a specific web-based application.

Presentations

SessionPresenterOrganizationTitlePresentation
1 - Space Technologies for Early Warning: Opportunities and Lessons LearnedJuan Carlos VillagranUNOOSA/UN-SPIDERUN-SPIDER Virtual International Expert MeetingLink
1 - Space Technologies for Early Warning: Opportunities and Lessons LearnedJochen LutherWorld Meteorological Organization (WMO)Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems - Role and Contributions of WMOLink
1 - Space Technologies for Early Warning: Opportunities and Lessons LearnedOlatunde AjiboyeNational Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), NigeriaGeospatial Information in Early Warning SystemsLink
2 - Integrating Dynamic Data Sources in Decision Support Systems for Disaster ManagementVictor AddaborNational Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), GhanaDynamic Data for Disaster Management in Ghana: Current Efforts & Opportunities for Local SourcingLink
2 - Integrating Dynamic Data Sources in Decision Support Systems for Disaster ManagementRadu BotezUNOOSA/UN-SPIDEROverview of Resources on the UN-SPIDER Knolwedge PortalLink
2 - Integrating Dynamic Data Sources in Decision Support Systems for Disaster ManagementJens Kersten, Martin MühlbauerGerman Aerospace Center (DLR)Integrating Dynamic Data Sources from Social Media, Online News and Earth Observation to Support Disaster ManagementLink
3 - The Way Forward - Harnessing the Power of Integrated Dynamic Data SourcesKamel TichouitiAlgerian Space Agency (ASAL)Regional Suport Office "UN-SPIDER" Algeria Contributing in Desert Locust FightingLink
3 - The Way Forward - Harnessing the Power of Integrated Dynamic Data SourcesGodstime JamesNational Space Research & Development Agency (NASRDA), NigeriaInformation Management for Disasters in Africa: Perspective from the Regional Support Office in NigeriaLink
3 - The Way Forward - Harnessing the Power of Integrated Dynamic Data SourcesAlexia TsouniResearch Center of Excellence BEYOND, Institute for Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications and Remote Sensing, National Observatory of AthensThe Center of Earth Observation Research and Satellite Remote Sensing BEYOND for Disaster Management and Civil ProtectionLink
3 - The Way Forward - Harnessing the Power of Integrated Dynamic Data SourcesMofoluso FagbejaAfrican Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in EnglishUtilizing Space-based Data for Disaster Management and Emergency Response in Africa: UN Regional Centre as a Bridge to the GapLink

Training session on the Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS)

(Please note that audio is unfortunately not available for the first 20 seconds of the recording)

The International Expert Meeting is expected to bring together around 50 experts from space agencies, civil protection authorities, development cooperation actors, international organizations, technical relief and humanitarian aid providers, national ministries, academia and the private sector.
English