© GEO Secretariatslide 1 Space-based information for reducing loss from disasters Veronica Grasso GEO Secretariat

© GEO Secretariatslide 2 U.S. Department of State, Washington DC July 31, 2003 GEO, the Group on Earth Observations An Intergovernmental Organization with 79 Members (+ EC) and 56 Participating Organizations (as of June 2009)

© GEO Secretariatslide 3 GEOSS: A Global, Coordinated, Comprehensive and Sustained System of Observing Systems

© GEO Secretariatslide 4 - Coordinate and Sustain Observing Systems- Coordinating, enhancing and interlinking existing systems in order to form coherent global networks - Ensure Access for All- I ntegrated, interoperable data sets to whom who need it - Develop End-to-end Services- Regional end-to-end disaster management projects Strategic Guidelines

© GEO Secretariatslide 5 A globally coordinated approach: International Charter Charter internal Organization

© GEO Secretariatslide 6 In response to GEO request for access for all GEO Members to Charter, the Charter Board unanimously endorsed the principle of « universal access » for all states. GEO has defined a mechanism for providing Charter access to all GEO Members (45 GEO Members do not have an Authorized User to activate the Charter ). The GEO proposal was discussed at the Charter Board Meeting April Extending Charter on Space and Major Disasters Access

© GEO Secretariatslide 7 Regional Approach: The Regional Center will activate the Charter on behalf of Countries in the region. Extending Charter on Space and Major Disasters Access

© GEO Secretariatslide 8 Disaster Management Clearinghouse A centralized source of information for disaster management providing integrated and interoperable observations and derived maps for: 1.Vulnerability/Risk assessment: Relevant observations and derived maps will be made available. 2.Crisis Management: Users will be able to make requests on- line. The GEO Disaster Management Clearinghouse will generate maps and other products and publish them through the GEO Portal. 3.Related Forecasts: Products in support of disaster management will be made available through the Clearinghouse (i.e. weather, population migration, fire risk etc).

© GEO Secretariatslide 9 Request sent automatically On-line Retrieval of coordinated products and maps Observations and maps produced and made available ProvidersUsers On-line request Disaster Management Clearinghouse GEO Portal other portals a.Vulnerability Risk b. Crisis Management c. Related Forecasts Disaster Management Clearinghouse

© GEO Secretariatslide 10 Monitoring regional risks in Central America and Asia SERVIR Sentinel Asia Contributions to GEOSS

© GEO Secretariatslide 11 GeoHazards SuperSites Initiative An open and seamless data access to a wide range of key observations (spaceborne, airborne, ground-based), from raw data to processed information over a number GeoHazards SuperSites The Geohazards SuperSites would: stimulate scientific progress, maximize the beneficial use of and access to Earth observation data, foster the development of new applications, allow integration and assimilation of observations into models (for hazard mapping and forecasting), allow the exchange of knowledge and experience in the scientific community, and constitute an ideal framework for building capacity. Contributors include NASA, ESA, USGS and CNES, BRGM, University of Miami, University of Zurich, University of Madrid, IREA Naples, JPL, INGV, University of Leeds, GFZ Postdam, University of Purdue and others). Vulnerability analysis will be carried out for the selected sites by EUCENTRE. Join us in this effort!! Contributions to GEOSS

© GEO Secretariatslide 12 Flood Pilot Project for the Caribbean & Namibia The World Bank – Natural Disaster Hotspots: A Global Risk Analysis Contributions to GEOSS By NASA, CSA, CEOS, UNOOSA and others

© GEO Secretariatslide 13 During the July 2008, UN-SPIDER Workshop, held in Barbados, the idea of the project was presented, and endorsement was achieved from over 6o decision-makers and senior experts from disaster management institutions from within the region, national and regional institutions, UN agencies, space agencies, academic and research institutions as well as from the private sector. The project has been included in the GEO Work Plan Flood Pilot Project for the Caribbean & Namibia Contributions to GEOSS

© GEO Secretariatslide 14 The main objectives of the Caribbean Flood Pilot are: To demonstrate the effectiveness of satellite imagery to strengthen regional, national and community level capacity for mitigation, management and coordinated response to natural hazards; To identify specific satellite-based products that can be used for disaster mitigation and response on a regional level; To identify capacity building activities that will increase the ability of the region to integrate satellite-based information into disaster management initiatives. The Caribbean Flood Pilot began its planning activities earlier this year and aims to provide an operational demonstration this hurricane season. The pilot will include activities for every phase of disaster management: mitigation, warning, response and recovery. Flood Pilot Project for the Caribbean & Namibia Contributions to GEOSS

© GEO Secretariatslide 15 Thank you!

© GEO Secretariatslide 16 Wildland fires, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, land subsidence, landslides, avalanches, storms and floods are unpreventable and inevitable natural events due to Earth's constant process of change. Fortunately, we can often minimize its associated risk. One way we can reduce risks is to use Earth observations for monitoring and predicting emerging hazards, providing early warnings and responding and adapting to those disasters that we cannot fully avoid.

© GEO Secretariatslide 17 SRTM Panamanian President Martin Torrijos (left) consults with meteorologist Annette Quinn and Director of CATHALAC Emilio Sempres at the SERVIR facility in the City of Knowledge, Panama. RADARSAT 10 Oct 2006 RADARSAT 24 Nov 2006 Bridge Bridge outCoastline changed Rio Indio Change detection analysis (above) based on RADARSAT data near Rio Indio, Panama. These images help the Panamanian disaster response agency to focus their efforts in the areas of the floods greatest impact. Met products such as MM5 (left), WRF, and SPoRT model outputs, along with GOES imagery (above), provide a continuous support mechanism for decision makers. SERVIR Response to Flooding in Panama, November 2006 TRMM data (below) are used to show total rainfall accumulation over the period November 20-28, 2006.