Space technology in support of risk and disaster management

SECOND UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL UN-SPIDER BONN WORKSHOP: “DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND SPACE TECHNOLOGY - BRIDGING THE GAP”; BONN, GERMANY, 13–15 OCTOBER 2008

Moderator:       Robert BACKHAUS (UN-SPIDER)

Background

The first session of the Second United Nations International UN-SPIDER Bonn Workshop  illustrated relevant space-based solutions and information for risk and disaster management support and emergency response including on-going and planned initiatives, case studies and best practices, available geospatial data for disaster studies and capacity building opportunities. It also underlined the role of GEO with respect to the SBA “Disaster”. Additionally, the prototype of the UN-SPIDER Knowledge Portal (communication and information platform) was presented.

Key questions and topics discussed:

Further identification of existing and planned Communities of Practice that contribute to bringing together the space-based technology and disaster management communities

• Intensified harmonisation of the various existing initiatives that are contributing to helping developing countries access and use space-based technologies for disaster management and risk reduction
• Design and functionality of the UN-SPIDER Knowledge Portal to ensure that relevant information is easily accessible and disseminated to all interested end-users

Recommendations and Perspectives

• The Regional Support Offices (RSO) will have a key function in identifying and building regional Communities of Practice. This applies to the information on regional priorities and best practices as well as to ensuring regional and local lines of communication (the “last mile” issue).
• The activities of the RSO will have to be supported by the UN-SPIDER Knowledge Portal as an information and communication platform. On-line capacity however is mandatory for its use.
• The scope of the UN-SPIDER Knowledge Portal is defined by the intertsect of space technology application and disaster management. “Neighbouring” initiatives and portals will neither be duplicated nor ignored, but complemented.

Further development and implementation of the Knowledge Portal prototype is to be guided by a sustained feedback process to ensure optimum architecture, functionality and content. Respective information material will be provided to a voluntary iteration core group recruited during the Workshop. This process will also be open to further participation e.g. of regional Communities of Practice.