Newswise — Africa faces a mounting number of disasters, such as floods, drought, food security and the spread of diseases, but must also deal with the likely impact of global climate change that could intensify these problems.
To help tackle these tragic threats to Africa’s human and economic well-being, space-based technologies are being identified.
Nearly a 100 decision-makers and senior experts on disaster-risk management from African countries, Europe, the Middle East and America met July 6-9 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This notable gathering of officials was organized by the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response, known as UN-SPIDER together with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) with support of the Government of Austria and in cooperation with Secure World Foundation.
The UN ECA called for more use of space-based technologies in Africa.
Disasters do not discriminate
In addressing the group, Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, space policy consultant for Secure World Foundation (SWF), also actively participated in the four-day meeting titled: “Building upon Regional Space-based Solutions for Disaster Management and Emergency Response for Africa.”
This event was held as a regional workshop of the UN-SPIDER.
The workshop focused on involving Africa more actively and promoting access for African countries to the use of space-based applications and solutions targeting disaster-risk management, emergency response, and climate change and health-related issues.
SWF’s Lukaszczyk addressed the participants and commented that the Foundation is committed to supporting efforts that lead to sustainable development through the use of space applications.
“Modern societies already benefit from services provided by satellites including telecommunications and navigation,” Lukaszczyk said. “It is fact that disasters do not discriminate and do not follow political boundaries among countries. There is need to promote cooperation as a cornerstone to promote development.”
The Addis Ababa workshop brought together authorities on disaster-risk management, drawing upon the expertise from space agencies, remote sensing and mapping agencies responsible for providing space-based technologies and solutions for disaster management support.
For more information on SWF’s involvement in the Addis Ababa workshop, contact:
Agnieszka LukaszczykSpace Policy ConsultantSecure World Foundationc/o European Space Policy InstituteSchwarzenbergplatz 6A-1030 Vienna
Phone +43 1 718 11 18 35Email: [email protected]
Networks of practitioners
“When a disaster strikes, reliable information is essential to plan and conduct response activities in a timely and efficient way,” said Juan Carlos Villagrán de León, Program Officer of UN-SPIDER. “We are committed to strengthening the capacities of institutions in countries to access and make use of space-based information to support the conduction of activities to reduce risks related to natural hazards and to respond in such a timely and efficient way in case of such disasters.”
Regional workshops like that held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in cooperation with Secure World Foundation, allow UN-SPIDER to bridge the gap between the space and disaster management communities; to discuss strategies and plans of action to promote the use of such information, and to foster partnerships on which to build networks of practitioners, thereby contributing to international, regional, and national efforts targeting sustainable development throughout the world, de León said.
UN-SPIDER has developed a framework effort – “SpaceAid” -- to facilitate fast and efficient access to space-based information for countries, international and regional organizations. This includes all types of information provided by earth observation satellites, communication satellites and global navigation satellite systems.
In opening remarks at the workshop by Aida Opoku-Mensah, Director, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Science & Technology Division, UN ECA, she noted:
“We recognize that it is time in Africa to maximize the accessibility of spatial data and the use of geospatial information technologies in government day-to-day business processes and service delivery in order to give closer linkage between the geospatial products and societal needs.”
About Secure Foundation
Secure World Foundation (SWF) is headquartered in Superior, Colorado, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Vienna, Austria. SWF is a private operating foundation dedicated to the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples.
SWF engages with academics, policy makers, scientists and advocates in the space and international affairs communities to support steps that strengthen global space security. It promotes the development of cooperative and effective use of space for the protection of Earth’s environment and human security.
The Foundation acts as a research body, convener and facilitator to advocate for key space security and other space related topics and to examine their influence on governance and international development.
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