3. Collection and Distribution of Disaster Information

3-3 Transmitting Image of Disaster Area andOffering Image Analysis Technique3-3-1. Sentinel Asia
(1) Objective
The Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) continues to participate in the Sentinel Asia
project. The project was launched in 2006 with an objective of establishing a disaster risk
management system by making the use of satellite images in Asia. ADRC functions as the focal
point to receive emergency observation request in the framework of the Sentinel Asia. Upon
receiving a request, ADRC decides whether the request is appropriate and whether the emergency
observation should be utilized mainly for the assessment of damages and casualties. Based on its
own judgment, ADRC will forward the request to five space agencies, namely, ISRO (India),
JAXA (Japan), GISTDA (Thailand), KARI (Korea), NARL (Taiwan) that are participating in theSentinel Asia Project.
In accordance with the Cooperation Agreement between the United Nations Office for Outer
Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and ADRC signed on 4 June 2009 ADRC UN-SPIDER Regional
Support Office was established, for the purpose of UN disaster management and immediate
response, within ADRC premises and operated by ADRC staff members as coordinators of theADRC UN-SPIDER RSO.
ADRC, as a UN-SPIDER RSO, should work towards ensuring the successful completion of theUN-SPIDER Work Plan thereby facilitating countries in Asia to have access to and develop thecapacity to use space-based information to support the full disaster management cycle.

Fig. 3-3-1-1

Flow of emergency observation21

(2) Activities for this year
① Emergency observation
From January to December 2012, twenty-five (25) emergency observations were requested, andnineteen (19) were undertaken.

Fig. 3-3-1-2

Changes in the number of emergency observation 2007-2012② Capacity building
The Sentinel Asia project conducted training seminars twice last year. The training seminars
aim at providing those who work for disaster management with the information on how to utilize
the Sentinel Asia System, for instance, visualization or interpretation of satellite data obtained
through the Sentinel Asia. On February 2012, first training seminar was implemented in Bangkok,
Thailand. And on October 2012, second seminar was done in Jakarta, Indonesia.
ADRC gave a lecture consisting of three themes titled "ADRC Activities", "ADRC's role on
Sentinel Asia Activities" and "Requests by disaster management organizations towards theSentinel Asia Step 3".

Fig. 3-3-1-3State of the training seminar22

3. Collection and Distribution of Disaster Information

3-3-2. Research on the Utilization of Satellite Image inAsia-Pacific Countries(1) Objectives
The ADRC under contract with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), visited
various organizations to conduct research on the utilization of satellite images in Asia-Pacificcountries. The purpose of this project is to ascertain present needs concerning the utilization ofsatellite images in the field of disaster mitigation and to consider strategies for improving
management of the Sentinel Asia Project.

(2) Outline
We have investigated the following:1)

Current situation survey

2)

Needs Assessment

3)

Development of research results (Presentation at International Conferences)

4)

Proposals towards Sentinel Asia Step 3(3) Progress
ADRC gave a status update on the Sentinel Asia Project and shared ideas about specific waysthat satellite images can be (or are being) used in disaster mitigation activities in each country.
Needs resulting from the study can be divided into the following three items.
[Capacity Building]It is difficult to understand the range of the flood from satellite imagery.



It is difficult to request emergency observation using the web system.



Lack of personnel and equipment for analyzing satellite images.



Need training in order to use satellite imagery in an emergency.

[Operating Systems Revision]

Need for satellite images immediately after the occurrence of disaster.



Need to observe before a disaster occurs.



Need to shorten operation hours from EOR to observation.

[Expansion of facilities]

Need to observe by SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) sensor.



Need for equipments to download large amounts of satellite imagery.

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