Gaps in EO based International Cooperation for Disaster Management : Issues and Perspectives
- Paper number
IAC-06-B1.1.08
- Author
Dr. V. Jayaraman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India
- Coauthor
Dr. S.K. Srivastava, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India
- Coauthor
Dr. D. Gowrisankar, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Recognizing the criticality of space applications, space agencies worldwide, in the recent times, have been attaching due significance to disaster management activities. It has also been recognized that single space agency is not in position to respond efficiently to the natural disasters at the global scale and only the collective efforts in the framework of international cooperation hold the key. Providing the free of cost access to remote sensing based products to the civil defense/disaster management agencies in support of the emergency management have been considered as 'entry point activity'. International Charter for Space and Major Disasters is a major step in this direction. There are some ad-hoc expert groups such as Disaster Management Support Group (DMSG); networks such as the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) and the Global Disaster Information Network (GDIN); Operational initiatives such as Earth Watch of European Space Agency, Disaster Watch Programme of Canadian Space Agency, disaster support related activities of NOAA, making immense contributions. Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) is yet another initiative likely to have long effect on integrating space applications towards disaster reduction. While international cooperation among space agencies heralds a new paradigm, the absorption of space information products and services by operational agencies in the developing countries is a critical issue. The existing international cooperation among space agencies if it is extended to capacity building in terms of promoting space applications towards disaster management would help in resolving this issue. Holistically, capacity building involves not only training and institutional partnership but also enables the countries/disaster management agencies to develop the products and services catering the contextual needs. The focus has to be placed on establishing the 'dynamic equilibrium' among user needs, national capacity and space systems. The cooperative framework is therefore to aim at (i) developing the joint cooperative programme to address the gaps in operational use of space systems, (ii) providing mechanism to replicate the success stories in the developing and least developing countries, and (iii) strengthening the initiatives like International Charter, Regional Space Technology Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific (RESAP) programme of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). The paper advocates a framework of international cooperation to harness the potentials of space applications for developing countries taking into account the incompatibility among operational needs of disaster management agencies, national capacity and space applications.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
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