Geoinformation for Disaster and Risk Management - ISPRS

For each disaster, a SpaceAid Updates page is created
on the UN-SPIDER Knowledge Portal, accumulating
links to all available space-based information and
sharing it widely to the disaster response
community.
The SpaceAid mechanism is open, and thus not
limited in respect of users or providers, and
therefore it fills existing gaps in coverage. UN-
SPIDER works with commercial providers of
imagery and will formalize relations with
standardized agreements. Users indicate their needs
in consultation with UN-SPIDER experts. User
requests are forwarded to all partners of the
framework. The providers select products to be
provided on a voluntary basis. All partners have the
opportunity to contribute to any request, and all
opportunities to obtain imagery free of charge will
be exploited. Partners inform other potential
providers of their intended contribution on the UN-
SPIDER Knowledge Portal to avoid duplication of
efforts.
In a collective effort, UN-SPIDER works with
partners to develop an on-line tool to automatically
task available satellites. Once the required
technology becomes functional, SpaceAid will also be
in a position to task multiple satellites according to
the needs of requesting users. Tasking schedules and
available products will be forwarded to users.
UN-SPIDER continuously seeks and coordinates
possible external sources for funding to provide
space-based information to users. Financial
resources are pooled to establish a SpaceAid
Imagery Fund. This will allow making available highresolution
images and other information in the event
of a disaster, to all interested users with no license
restrictions. End users, the respective space and
disaster management communities, media and
Figure 3: Technical Advisiory Mission and SpaceAid support
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interested individuals are being informed on a
regular basis of the opportunities and achievements
of SpaceAid.
Technical Advisory Support
Technical Advisory Missions are part of UN-SPIDER's
support at the national level. Governments or
national institutions may officially request a UN-
SPIDER Technical Advisory Mission. The mission
objective is to assess the existing use of space-based
technology and information for disaster
management and emergency response, to identify
potential areas where space applications could play a
greater role, and to provide recommendations on
how to improve access to and use of space-based
technology and information.
Technical Advisory Missions make use of the
expertise available in the regions or internationally.
To support national activities, external experts are
invited to join a UN-SPIDER mission in the
requesting countries, thus enhancing horizontal
cooperation in the region and strengthening the
links between disaster management and space
communities.