Event Summary
Session Leads
- Philippe Bally, European Space Agency
- Anna Burzykowska, World Bank
Description
Reducing the vulnerability of our societies and the risk of natural disasters can be supported by understanding our environment and the fundamental mechanisms that drive changes to the environment. The field of Earth Observation (EO) is an important element for improved knowledge of hazards, risks and potential disasters as a basis for efficient decision making, better mitigation, and preparedness for disasters. Satellite EO can support scientists and operational users for a range of applications. This is the case for risk assessment for prevention & preparedness and the immediate response phase, two areas where information needs are different. Recent achievements and reflections in user communities involved with satellite imagery and hazard risk have focused on how EO based response and EO based risk mapping can be linked. A broad range of themes are concerned from hydro-meteorological hazards to geohazards. For instance this is the case for flood hazards in Africa.