Disasters and Humanitarian Response
How is satellite imagery used in disasters and humanitarian crises, and who pays for it?
Chapter summary
Disasters are where EO's public value is clearest.
Key takeaways
- 1
The International Charter Space and Major Disasters, set up in 2000, lets authorised agencies request free satellite data from member space agencies and operators after earthquakes, floods, storms and fires; it has been activated hundreds of times.
- 2
The EU's Copernicus Emergency Management Service produces rapid maps for Europe and beyond.
- 3
Commercial operators donate imagery through open data programmes (Vantor's, Planet's, Umbra's) and sell rapid products to governments and insurers.
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