Overview 2011 UNOSAT Humanitarian Rapid Mapping Service

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1 Overview 2011 UNOSAT Humanitarian Rapid Mapping Service

3 Introduction UNOSAT is a technology-intensive programme delivering imagery analysis and satellite solutions to relief and development organisations within and outside the UN system to help make a difference in critical areas such as humanitarian relief, human security, strategic territorial and development planning. UNOSAT develops applied research solutions keeping in sight the needs of the beneficiaries at the end of the process. UNOSAT uses specialized skills to perform satellite analysis, design integrated solutions in GIS and geopositioning, and develop the capacity of agencies and recipient counties via training and technical support. UNOSAT work is entirely based on a professional commitment to producing concrete, tangible and usable results in every activity we undertake UNOSAT is designed to produce concrete output for identified users and beneficiaries by turning technology into concrete and usable applications for UN agencies, member states, and communities in a variety of areas. UNOSAT addresses three main homogeneous user systems: Humanitarian Affairs and Relief Coordination Crisis & Situational Mapping Damage and Impact Assessment Human Security Monitoring Safety and Security Human Rights Territorial Planning and Monitoring Capacity Development & Technical Assistance In-country Project Development & Implementation Created in 2003, UNOSAT humanitarian rapid mapping service is today fully developed and has been activated over 200 times in relief and coordination operations in the aftermath of disasters, complex emergencies and conflict crises. This work involves very rapid acquisition and processing of satellite imagery to generate geographic information and analytical reports in addition to GIS layers in support of UN emergency relief agencies. UNOSAT remains engaged beyond the emergency phase by supporting early recovery and reconstructions activities. 1

4 Overview of Rapid Mapping activities in 2011 UNOSAT undertook 28 rapid mapping activities in This shows an increasing trend in the amount of activations from Figure 1, below, shows the number of rapid mapping activities by year since start of the service in The activities are fairly evenly spread out throughout the year, although fewer requests came in during spring than in summer and autumn. Table 1 shows a list of all activations in 2011, the type of disaster and the month the event was triggered for rapid mapping support Figure 1: Number of rapid mapping activities by year 2

5 Table 1: List of rapid mapping activities in 2011 Country/region Disaster type Month Sudan Complex emergency 1 Ivory Coast Complex emergency 1 Pakistan Earthquake 1 Mozambique Flood 1 Tunisia Complex emergency 2 Libya Complex emergency 2 Yemen Complex emergency 2 Turkey Landslide 2 Japan Tsunami 3 Syria Complex emergency 5 Colombia Flood 5 Chile Volcano 6 Ethiopia Complex emergency 7 Kenya Complex emergency 7 Somalia Complex emergency 8 Pakistan Flood 8 Kenya Technical/Chemical 9 Philippines Storm 9 Vietnam Storm 9 Libya Complex emergency 9 Switzerland Exercise 9 Brasil Exercise 10 Algeria Flood 10 Thailand Flood 10 Cambodia Flood 10 El Salvador Flood 10 Myanmar Flood 11 Philippines Storm 12 3

The percentage breakdown of disaster types supported is shown in Figure 2. Natural disasters constitute approximately 2/3 of the total activations, while complex emergencies account for about 1/3.

6 The percentage breakdown of disaster types supported is shown in Figure 2. Natural disasters constitute approximately 2/3 of the total activations, while complex emergencies account for about 1/3. The general trend is that complex emergencies, in particular events related to conflict situations, require an increasingly long support by UNOSAT. While natural disasters typically require 1-2 weeks of support, rapid mapping in a conflict situation can last for several months. This is due to the often dynamic nature of the conflicts, the extent of the event as well as different actors requesting UNOSAT support during the various stages of the event. For example, OCHA may need information at the very beginning, while the UN Office for the High Commissioner on Human Rights becomes involved at a later stage to assess potential human rights violations. However, with major flood events, sister agencies are requesting UNOSAT to continue monitoring, often for 1-2 months, depending on the situation. Exercises 7% Floods 29% Floods Earthquakes Complex 36% Storms Volcanic activities Landslides Tsunamis 4% Landslides 3% Technical/Chemical 4% Storms 11% Volcanic activities 3% Earthquakes 3% Tsunamis Complex Exercises Figure 2: Percentage breakdown by disaster type for rapid mapping activations in

UNICEF 7% WFP 3% OHCHR 4% OPCW 4% ADPC 4% OCHA 43% OCHA UNDP UNEP UNHCR Member State Member State 14% UNHCR 7% UNEP 7% UNDP 7% WFP UNICEF OHCHR OPCW ADPC Figure 3: Percentage breakdown by entity

7 UNICEF 7% WFP 3% OHCHR 4% OPCW 4% ADPC 4% OCHA 43% OCHA UNDP UNEP UNHCR Member State Member State 14% UNHCR 7% UNEP 7% UNDP 7% WFP UNICEF OHCHR OPCW ADPC Figure 3: Percentage breakdown by entity requesting rapid mapping in Note: Only first requestor is featured here. Events often have multiple agencies requesting support. Figure 3 shows the percentage breakdown of the first entity requesting rapid mapping for a particular event. It should be noted that this statistic does not account for multiple requests from different organizations for the same event. Only the first organization asking for support is listed here. OCHA is still by far the main requestor (43%), while the variety of other entities illustrates that UNOSAT rapid mapping also has a high penetration with a wide range of organizations. Many of the other entities, such as UNICEF and WFP also request support for events that had already been initiated based on OCHA demand. This variation also highlights the synergetic role of UNOSAT. As information generated for one entity is used by others, it contributes to enhanced coordination since the relevant actors have access to the same disaster-specific information; for example, pointing out which villages are flooded or how many houses are destroyed following a storm. 5

8 For rapid mapping in 2011, UNOSAT continued to produce and further improve its standard PDF format maps designed for hardcopy printing. At the same time, other dissemination means have become standard practice, including web-map services and GIS-data feeds for direct integration of UNOSAT satellite image derived data, for example flood extent, into users and partners GIS systems, including governments, humanitarian organizations and NGOs. These additional ways of sharing information allow the merging of UNOSAT data into specific thematic products and facilitate the emerging of new ways to visualize each user s wealth of data and information. Some examples of the data are, location of health facilities, schools, warehouses, 3W (who is doing what and where) and others. Examples from selected activations This publication includes a few examples of 2011 rapid mapping that illustrate the main characteristics of UNOSAT rapid mapping for humanitarian response and of the UNOSAT effort to diversify delivery methods and constantly push for increased efficiency. Floods in Cambodia Floods in Thailand Complex emergency in Libya Complex emergency in Sudan and South Sudan Floods in Cambodia In September 2011, a severe flood situation occurred in Cambodia, killing over 200 persons. Thousands of people evacuated as the increasing flood situation caused massive damage. UNOSAT was contacted by OCHA regional office in Bangkok to support coordination and management of the situation provoked by the floods. UNOSAT was also contacted in relation to the OCHA assessment mission to Cambodia. OCHA had a need for both operational maps showing the flood situation, and maps to monitor the unfolding of the flood over time in order to estimate damage to rice production and other agricultural activities. 6

OCHA used this map for coordination with national entities, NGOs and other agencies.

9 This map illustrates the satellite-detected areas of standing flood waters over the affected districts of Phnom Penh and Kandal. This flood map was based on change detection analysis using very-high resolution radar data acquired by TerraSAR-X radar satellite 09 March 2009 and 21 September OCHA used this map for coordination with national entities, NGOs and other agencies. The detailed flood analysis also contributed to raising awareness about the flood situation among public entities and media. The product below shows an overview of flood waters along Tonle Sap Lake presenting potential standing flood waters/ flood affected land over the affected area surrounding Tonle Sap Lake. The analysis indicated that flood waters have expanded in the lake area between 28 August and 27th October

During this crisis flood extend GIS vector data were shared with OCHA and other actors both as Web Map Services (WMS) and as a GIS database available for download.

10 During this crisis flood extend GIS vector data were shared with OCHA and other actors both as Web Map Services (WMS) and as a GIS database available for download. A webmap application was also made available to the wider user community, see above, allowing for dynamic views, individual assessments and customized print-outs. Satellite imagery for this event was provided by the International Charter Space and Major Disasters (Space Charter),. For this event UNOSAT adopted the role of Space Charter event Project Manager, a role the Space Charter frequently assigns to UNOSAT due to the organization s experience and expertise in this domain. Floods in Thailand UNOSAT has a strategic partnership with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), an organization with member states from the Asian region, headquartered in Bangkok. When the floods in Thailand started to become serious in September/October 2011, UNOSAT was requested by ADPC to provide satellite image derived maps and flood extent data for use by national and regional authorities linked to ADPC. Additional request came later from OCHA, UNICEF and WFP. UNOSAT maps were provided by ADPC to the Thai Prime Minister and her Office and later by the UN Country Team to the UN Secretary General when he inspected the affected areas. In this case, UNOSAT was well underway in the satellite image analysis using data from MODIS and GMES GEO-PICTURES received from KSAT. The monitoring aspect became fundamental as the floods moved southwards threatening Bangkok. However, even with very high resolution radar imagery, it was not possible to efficiently detect flooding in the urban areas of Bangkok. Therefore, UNOSAT resorted to its own FirstLook license and optical imagery, which was, unfortunately, hampered by clouds. However, various overview maps and flood extent atlases were produced using data obtained from Google MapMaker, with which UNOSAT has an ongoing collaboration. 8

To complement the satellite image analysis, in particular in the dense urban areas, a geotagging photo application was made available to the general public and a professional version was used by

A web-map platform was again set up to facilitate access to information in multiple ways.

most out of the satellite image derived information. The web-map below shows how photos from local citizens, all pictures with exact geo-position automatically included, appeared live on the website.

11 To complement the satellite image analysis, in particular in the dense urban areas, a geotagging photo application was made available to the general public and a professional version was used by UNOSAT in the field. This information was used as image analysis validation, but also as key operational live feeds from affected communities. A web-map platform was again set up to facilitate access to information in multiple ways. Google also set up a crisis response mapping page where UNOSAT flood data featured as an input layer feed, again illustrating the value of having an operational setup that is designed to make the most out of the satellite image derived information. The web-map below shows how photos from local citizens, all pictures with exact geo-position automatically included, appeared live on the website. Disaster managers as well as UNOSAT image analysts could by simply clicking on a point on the map immediately see the photo and get real time information on the situation on the ground in Bangkok. Please see an example of Google online map and crowd-sourced citizen photo below. At the Wilton Park conference organized in December 2011 in collaboration with ADPC, the rapid mapping support done by UNOSAT during this event was praised by the ADPC Executive Director and by representatives from member states in the region. Awareness raising and outreach 9

The crisis in Libya When the Arab spring came to Libya in February 2011, the situation quickly evolved into a humanitarian emergency with cross border refugees and an increasing internal conflict.

12 The crisis in Libya When the Arab spring came to Libya in February 2011, the situation quickly evolved into a humanitarian emergency with cross border refugees and an increasing internal conflict. The government forces heavy crackdown on the civilian population that demanded regime-change was highly opposed by the UN and numerous member states. UNOSAT received multiple requests from UN sister agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, NGOs and international organizations such as IOM and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to mention a few. The first request was linked to the forced migration across the border into Tunisia and Egypt caused by the hostilities. UNOSAT produced numerous maps showing the situation at the border crossings as well as at refugee camps in Tunisia. Satellite image assessments of reported check-points within Libya, where it was assumed that thousands of people were held, turned out to be incurred. This illustrated how UNOSAT can play a role in defusing rumors and to help validate field reports. Refugee camp maps were shared with actors on the ground, working to further expand the camps and plan for assistance. Again, UNOSAT shared image derived GIS data, in this case camp extents and exact location of individual tents, through easy to use means, such as Google Earth. Please see example below. 10

As the situation escalated into a civil war, UNOSAT was asked to continue its work and to monitor the situation, in particular related to infrastructure damage and location of IDPs in the highest hit

Analysis also included airport status in support of the UN Logistics Base to assess if humanitarian aid could be flown in.

13 As the situation escalated into a civil war, UNOSAT was asked to continue its work and to monitor the situation, in particular related to infrastructure damage and location of IDPs in the highest hit towns, such as Misratha and Zawiyah. The Libya work began in February and continued with various types of rapid mapping activities into October, when the Gadhaffi regime fell. Analysis also included airport status in support of the UN Logistics Base to assess if humanitarian aid could be flown in. Some example reports and detailed imagery are provided below to indicate the wide range of products delivered by UNOSAT during this conflict. As in most conflict situations, satellite imagery constitutes a key information source, since independent field information is difficult to obtain due to limited access for security reasons. Destruction of a mosque in Martyr s Square, Zawiyah. Satellite imagery was used to document the time period for destruction of the mosque and the presence of military vehicles and heavy equipment. This information helped in the overall emergency response and to have information on the humanitarian and human security situation as it unfolded. 11

Multi-temporal imagery was acquired to monitor the situation, both to document the effect of the NATO bombing and to acquire

14 Another example is that of monitoring ammunition depots. These were targeted by NATO forces, but some depots still likely had ammunition stored. Multi-temporal imagery was acquired to monitor the situation, both to document the effect of the NATO bombing and to acquire information about ground activities in the area of the depots. UNOSAT reports and damage assessments were passed on to relevant organizations, some of which used the information to plan field interventions to control the status of the ammunition storage facilities. 12

Complex emergency in Sudan and South Sudan With the 9 January 2011 independence referendum in southern Sudan, there were fears of large scale violence that may erupt due to the complex situation and

15 Complex emergency in Sudan and South Sudan With the 9 January 2011 independence referendum in southern Sudan, there were fears of large scale violence that may erupt due to the complex situation and unclear border conditions between Sudan and what at the time was likely to become South Sudan. The referendum itself took place in a relatively peaceful setting. The image below is from a polling station in Juba on 9 January 2011 showing a half km long line of people waiting to cast their vote. UNOSAT also joined the Satellite Sentinel project as satellite image analysis experts for the first six months of that initiative. Both UNDP and DPKO contacted UNOSAT to request assistance in monitoring potential hotspot areas, including the Abyei region. 13

This is a subscription service from one of the main commercial providers of very high resolution satellites that allows UNOSAT access to satellite imagery in near real time which allows UNOSAT to

16 Unfortunately, as the data of independence, six month following the referendum, i.e. 9 July 2011, approached, violence started to escalate. UNOSAT s rapid mapping capacity started to use a new tool called FirstLook. This is a subscription service from one of the main commercial providers of very high resolution satellites that allows UNOSAT access to satellite imagery in near real time which allows UNOSAT to compare archived data on the fly. This capacity greatly increased the turnaround time and allowed for frequent updates and timely delivery of analysis in particular over no-go areas for the international community. UNOSAT was able to inform UNDP and DPKO of potential military build-ups that could cause instability in the region. Violence escalated to include the burning of villages and even rampage in Abyei, which was monitored and reported by UNOSAT. WFP received information on the plundering and destruction of its warehouse. This complex emergency was also an example of a relatively long-term commitment by UNOSAT, drawing on rapid mapping resources over time for numerous different requests. Some examples of imagery analysis and reports are given below. Above: Report on infrastructure development 14

17 Above: Looting and destruction of WFP warehouse Above: Damage assessment following violence in Abyei 15

18 Analysis of military build-up activity in border area with southern Sudan at the time 16

19 Trends and opportunities 2011 confirmed the trend of stronger interaction not only with UN and NGO field staff, but also with regional organizations and a growing number of interested government experts. Another trend is the focus on collaborative mapping, made possible by the new interaction between geospatial technology and crowd-sourcing, which albeit not new to UNOSAT is now in a position to generate actual operational applications. The recent success of inviting the collaboration of the general public to help geo-tag on-line photographic material present on the web gave a whole new significance to the potential held by the crowd, hinting more at crowd-involvement than simple archetypal crowd-sourcing. The trend and hallmark of UNOSAT of making geospatial data widely available will continue next year with the support of improved automated services. These services benefit the user community by directly linking them to the data feeds. Automated services are also improving the production cycle at UNOSAT by saving time that can be used for more extensive imagery analysis. The trend towards wider involvement of UNOSAT in large inter-agency processes aimed at improving the use of geospatial information in emergency response continued in UNOSAT role of satellite image and map coordinator within the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System - GDACS has been reaffirmed at the GDACS stakeholder meeting in Bergen, Norway, in May GDACS and other mechanisms involving humanitarian actors are also excellent opportunities to interact with the real user base in the world of rapid mapping services where operational needs and urgent tasks limit the time available for constructive discussions on how to further improve services and coordination. The research of new integrated data collection methods pushed UNOSAT to acquire its first two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in After testing in Geneva, the first operational deployment of this emerging technology took place in Haiti. The deployment, which included a Swinglet CAM fixed-wing aircraft and one UNOSAT specialist, confirmed the flexibility and high efficiency of these very light UAV with evident potential for emergency response to natural disasters as well as accurate monitoring and assessment of specific confined areas such as camps. 17

20 In 2011 they have said about us: Thank you very much indeed for this advice and the support provided by UNOSAT! This is very helpful indeed. Florentina Debling, Programme Officer, Environmental Emergencies Section (Joint UNEP/OCHA) This data is fantastic, it s precisely what we were looking for. We can t thank you enough for your timely response and accurate data. Robert Banick, GIS Analyst, International Services, American Red Cross Many thanks for this great product [...] the details and the info posted on the maps are very useful. [...] I am getting calls to convey their appreciations of the work of UNOSAT of supporting this emergency and others in the past. In addition I have to explain the process of making the product and what each item on the map means to some senior staff.. they love it.... By far you maps are the most dynamic and informative [...] Jihad Abdallah, Crisis Room Information Management Officer, UNICEF Do you guys get these s from UNITAR? They have a load of sat maps on their website for Benghazi and Tripoli town, and also for the border crossings in Tunisia and Egypt. We should use the town maps for Benghazi and Tripoli as base layers to plot logs info on when we eventually get in there, and I'd suggest a link to their site on our Logs website if there isn't one already. Matthew Dee, Logistics Officer, WFP Most useful. Thank you very much for developing this. Hélène Bray, Security Coordination Officer, UNDSS Once again, we would like to extend our warmest appreciation from all the colleagues here, and I believe from other DRM stakeholders too, to UNITAR team for helping us with clear maps throughout the emergencies. Bui Viet Hien, Programme Analyst (Disaster Risk Management), UNDP The UNOSAT Humanitarian Rapid Mapping Service is funded by Sweden, Norway and Switzerland, with in-kind support from the United States of America and DigitalGlobe Corporation. Satellite imagery used in this report were provided by DigitalGlobe and GeoEye, unless otherwise stated. All image analysis was carried out by UNOSAT. In-field pictures were provided by local citizens on the crowd sourcing platform GEO-PICTURES. Palais des Nations 1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland T: F:

February UNOSAT Report on Rapid Mapping Activities 2012

February UNOSAT Report on Rapid Mapping Activities 2012 February 2013 UNOSAT Report on Rapid Mapping Activities 2012 Overview of Rapid Mapping activities in 2012 The year 2012 saw an increase in requests and deliveries of UNOSAT Rapid Mapping services. A total