The second NIDM/UN-SPIDER workshop on ‘Space Technology Application in Disaster Management and Emergency Response’ took place at the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), New Delhi, from 28 to 30 March 2011. The aim of the workshop was to impart Disaster Managers with the knowledge on applications of space technology for disaster management and to help in bridging the gap between the geo-spatial and disaster management functionaries at various levels, both within States of India and of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). It was a continuation of the first workshop that took place in January 2011 at NIDM. A total 25 invited participants from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives attended the workshop. They represented State Disaster Management Authorities, middle level administrators of Departments of Disaster Management and faculty members of Administrative Training Institutes and State Remote Sensing Application Centres.
UN-SPIDER planned the content of the workshop and supported the travel of attendants from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and one expert from ICIMOD, Nepal. NIDM supported the travel of Indian participants and provided free logistics. The workshop team included experts from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), NIDM, UN-SPIDER and ICIMOD.
During the Workshop, the participants shared their experiences of using of space based information in their respective countries and Indian states. Methodology used for this workshop emphasized on panel discussions and deliberations by participants. As an outcome of the workshop, participants provided recommendations, based on the discussions and exercises on the following topics:
1) Lessons learned from recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan,
2) Self assessment of geographic information preparedness for disaster management.
