Operational Satellite
Applications Programme
(UNOSAT)
Einar Bjorgo
20 March 2009
Introduction to
UNITAR
Introduction to UNITAR
What is UNITAR?
United Nations Institute for Training and Research
Mission: To deliver innovative training and conduct research on
knowledge systems to develop the capacity of beneficiaries
Since its inception in 1965, UNITAR has built sustainable
partnerships acquiring unique expertise and accumulating
experience and knowledge to fulfil its mandate. These
accomplishments have enabled UNITAR to respond to the
growing demand from UN Member States for training for capacity
development in the fields of Environment; Peace, Security and
Diplomacy; and Governance
Offices: Geneva (HQ), New York, Hiroshima, (Brazil)
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Introduction to
UNOSAT
Introduction to UNOSAT
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What is UNOSAT?
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
Operational Satellite Applications Programme - a unique UN programme
entirely dedicated to providing satellite based solutions to the UN, local
governments, international organizations and NGOs
Has evolved into a mature UN service with global outreach and supported
by a network of partners world wide
Diversifying the offer of satellite & IT based services and adapt it to specific
user needs of the international community
UNOSAT works always upon request of at least one major organization
directly or indirectly involved in operations and validated by relevant UN
coordination mechanisms
Received UN21 Awards from Secretary General
Kofi Annan in December 2006 in recognition of
team productivity and contribution to a more
efficient and modern United Nations
Introduction to UNOSAT
Three main pillars
Humanitarian Emergencies and Human Rights - UNOSAT Rapid
Mapping
Training for local development - customized, from userperspective
Capacity development – longer term projects providing benefits
of satellite solutions to local governments
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Introduction to UNOSAT
Disaster management cycle
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Introduction to UNOSAT
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Demand for geo-information
UNOSAT integrated response model for humanitarian
relief and development
Introduction to UNOSAT
Satellite imagery and GIS data
A wide range of satellite imagery from commercial and scientific sensors
(no military data), including Space Charter
Imagery ranging from optical very high resolution (60 cm), to large area
radar at 6 m resolution and upwards
Relevant GIS data from UN, commercial and public sources
Limitations: Cloud cover, repeat frequency, level of detail
Since 2002: 900+ maps in support to humanitarian emergencies
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Introduction to UNOSAT
Statistics: Humanitarian Rapid Mapping
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Introduction to UNOSAT
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Statistics: Humanitarian Rapid Mapping, 2003-2009 (150+ events)
Distribution of results
• Satellite imagery derived information as
GIS-ready information layers, final maps
and analyses to wide range of users in the
field, regional offices, HQ (geographically
distributed)
• Results distributed to wide range of types
of users (UN, IFRC, ICRC, NGOs,
Governments etc.) with different
mandates (thematically distributed)
• Means of distribution:
VirtualOSOCC/GDACS, HICs, GeoNetwork,
ReliefWeb, GeoRSS feeds, UNOSAT
website, AlertNet, e-mail alerts, other –
Online mapping once operational
Examples
Ecuador floods – Minister del Litoral, Carolina Portaluppi
Earthquake
Rapid Mapping technical methodology Damage assessment example: Earthquake, Indonesia
Photos by UNOSAT
Damage visible in post earthquake image
Image copyright: Digital Globe distributed by EURIMAGE
Floods
Storms
Landslides
Oil spills
Environment
Environmental degradation in conflict zones:
Eastern Afghanistan
Complex
Field verification, interaction, data upload
• UNOSAT sends expert to the field to verify imagery analysis
• If UNOSAT not in the field, field verification is provided by
partners, e.g. OCHA FIS, UNDAC, MapAction, others
Examples
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www.unitar.org/unosat
einar.bjorgo@unitar.org