UN turns to space for disasters
Thursday, 01 Nov 2007 15:28
Space technologies can help with disasters on Earth, UN believes
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A new United Nations department has opened in Bonn, Germany, to use space technologies to help in responses to global disasters.
The UN Outer Space Affairs office will carry out the UN platform for space-based information for disaster management and emergency response (UN-Spider).
This platform is the first UN initiative to use space technologies to cover all stages of disaster, including the risk reduction phase which could significantly cut the loss of lives and property.
All countries and organisations will have access to the information and services on disaster management.
Franz Baumann, deputy director-general of the UN office at Vienna, said UN-Spider "will have a considerable impact on the way space-based information is used in dealing with disasters around the world".
The programme was established in December by the UN general assembly. As well as acting as a gateway to space-based information for disaster management it is hoped it will facilitate developing countries in their capacity-building and institutional strengthening efforts.
The Bonn office is expected to be the first of many, with UN-Spider offices scheduled to open in Beijing and Geneva.