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) 3 Introduction to UNOSAT Introduction to UNOSAT 5 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 6 Introduction to UNOSAT Disaster management cycle 7 Introduction to UNOSAT 8 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 9 Introduction to UNOSAT Statistics: Humanitarian Rapid Mapping 10 Introduction to UNOSAT 11 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 42 www.unitar.org/unosat einar.bjorgo@unitar.org