Hazard Assessment Using Earth Observation and GIS
The IGAD region is prone to recurrent disaster risks mainly drought, floods, landslides, among others that have been affecting significantly the lives and livelihoods of the communities. This is a setback to the efforts to bring about sustainable development to the region. Earth Observation (EO) and Spatial planning plays an important role in understanding these disastrous events, through mapping of hazards and vulnerability, risk profiling at sub national level and more importantly planning (spatial) for preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery efforts.
It is with this background in mind that United Nations Operational Satellite (UNOSAT) and ICPAC are jointly organizing a one week in-country technical training for the member states on the use of Geographic information system (GIS) for Hazard Assessment using earth observation. This training is designed based on the recommendation from the Regional Technical Training Workshop on Disaster Risk Assessment, Monitoring and early warning held during February 2018 in Mombasa, Kenya where hands on training was provided on drought management and to a limited extent on flood hazard assessment. The IDDRSI 2nd General Assembly (GA) recommended an Early Warning and Early Response mechanism, the 4th SC urged PCU to “Support the application and use of existing products such as the Disaster Loss Database and the IGAD Hazard Maps and Atlas to inform and improve programming of IDDRSI.”
This program is sponsored by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) through World Bank and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through UNOSAT. The training will be hosted at the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) in Sudan.
This in-country capacity building training workshop is organized to build capacity of member states on hazard assessment, monitoring and early warning using earth observation and GIS technologies towards disaster risk reduction in the region.
- Improved awareness of which earth observation (satellite) solutions are freely available
- Strengthened capacity on how to make use of remote sensing and GIS tools for hazard assessments, monitoring and early warning for disaster risk reduction
- Develop knowledge of global and regional approaches and methods used to assess hazards
Three modules accounting for approximately 30-35 learning hours.
21, 22 October Module 1: introduction to earth observation and GIS; applications of geospatial technology in DRR; Introduction to ArcGIS; Working with baseline data in GIS; Basic Geo-processing and spatial analysis tools
22, 23 October Module 2: Satellite data for floods and droughts; satellite image pre-processing; satellite data analysis unsupervised and supervised classification; Linking GIS and remote sensing
24, 25 October Module 3: Concepts of DRR and Drought Hazard Assessment; drought exposure assessment; flood hazard assessment; flood exposure assessment; vulnerability and risk mapping; hazard monitoring and multi-hazard early warning systems; final group exercise; discussion, way forward, course evaluation and closing ceremony
The course is designed to offer a balanced approach between theoretical and practical methodologies, which will enable the participants to gain maximum knowledge on the subject. It will be taught in lecture/discussion formats illustrated with Power Point presentations, live demos, videos, maps, diagrams, field visits, interactive sessions and content on web sites. Prior skills in Remote sensing and GIS are highly desirable.
The tools will include ArcGIS software for GIS and Remote sensing and Snap tool for flood and drought modelling.
Staff from IGAD member states (East Africa region) working for line ministries and disaster management organizations. Prior experience using GIS is not required.