The UNOSAT BRIEF 2011 focuses on satellite applications for human security

07 March 2012, Geneva, Switzerland - UNOSAT just released the electronic version of its 2011 BRIEF which is dedicated to Satellite Applications for Human Security. Each year, UNOSAT publishes a brief focusing on one of its strategic areas of work (humanitarian relief, human security, strategic territorial planning). Last year the UNOSAT Brief concentrated on Humanitarian Rapid Mapping, the service launched in 2003 that made UNOSAT known worldwide for its rapid mapping support to the international humanitarian community.

Since 2009 UNOSAT produces satellite analysis and geographic information for human security in all instances in which remote sensing can make a difference, for example in monitoring inaccessible areas and remote crisis zones. In most cases involving violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law, satellite observations can provide accurate and up to date compelling visual material in a timely and effective. The growth of technical capacity and expertise at UNOSAT in the area of human security began in 2010 and continued in 2011 with a special emphasis on developing knowledge, practice, and applications in the area of monitoring and illustrating violations of international humanitarian law in conflict and complex emergencies.

This issue of the UNOSAT Annual Brief, UNOSAT looks specifically at five thematic areas in which satellite analysis has role to play: Advocacy, Mitigation and Prevention, Enhancing Field Investigations, Remote Fact Finding, and Peace and Reconciliation. To support these areas of focus, UNOSAT has adopted two specific approaches: traditional post-conflict event analysis, and dynamic conflict event monitoring. Some examples of how these techniques were applied in cases such as Libya, Kyrgyzstan and South Sudan, are illustrated in this brief.

Albeit an operational applications programme, UNOSAT is part of UNITAR’s Research Department, which adds a research dimension to its solution-oriented philosophy. For example in 2011, UNOSAT combined research and operations to use exciting techniques of Radar-Based Change Detection and Fire-detections for Conflict Analysis when preforming Human Security centred analysis.

Download the UNOSAT Brief 2011 (PDF, 3.5MB)