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17 July 2020
20/JAXA/SAOC No. 0715001
Dear Sentinel Asia colleagues,Sincere gratitude for your support during the “Heavy rain of July, Reiwa 2” in Japan,
statement of our commitment to Sentinel Asia, and request for your continued support
under the COVID-19 pandemic
For more than several months, we have been faced by unprecedented crises caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic. Over the world, more than 10 million people have been infected by
COVID-19 and more than 500,000 have perished. The situation seems to keep deteriorating andthe numbers are continuously growing. This COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way of ourlives completely.
A natural disaster amid COVID-19 could be a real nightmare. The local authorities and thepeople in the affected area will be forced to address “dual challenges”: they will have to combat
disasters, while keeping themselves safe from COVID-19. The newly introduced norms such as“social distancing” and “self-seclusion” for containment of the spread of the virus make rescue
and evacuation activities much more difficult than ever before.
Now, the season has come when water-related natural disasters such as typhoons, monsoons, andtropical cyclones are expected to occur frequently. Particularly, the Asia-Pacific region is prone tosuch disasters. Moreover, as this region is the most densely populated region, people in this region
are more vulnerable to risks caused by the dual challenges than anywhere else.
However, looking at the bright side, remote-sensing technologies and our cooperation under“Sentinel Asia” could bring us hope. Satellite observation data provided by Data Provider Nodes(DPNs) of Sentinel Asia enable us to monitor or narrow down the possible affected area remotely,
without visiting the area. Then, damage maps generated from satellite data in combination with
open street maps provided by Data Analysis Nodes (DANs) of Sentinel Asia could contribute todetecting the area more precisely, local authorities’ identifying appropriate evacuation sites andestablishing evacuation plans. Also, members of Sentinel Asia from the international community
could appeal to the humanitarian community for solidarity and for support based on the damage
maps and contribute to mobilizing relief parties and supplies effectively under the mobility anddistancing restrictions imposed by the COVID-19. Furthermore, as Sentinel Asia is mandated toaddress the entire disaster risk management cycle including the pre-disaster phase, Sentinel Asia
could contribute to earning the lead time to respond to possible disasters, which has become
particularly crucial under the COIVD-19 pandemic.

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In fact, now we realize keenly the benefit and blessing of Sentinel Asia. Record-breaking
torrential heavy rain hit the prefectures of Kumamoto and Kagoshima in the southern Japaneseisland of Kyushu on 4 July 2020. The heavy rain, named “Heavy rain of July, Reiwa 2” triggered
floods and landslides, which claimed at least 68 people’s lives. Many people remain missing andthousands of houses have been destroyed. What is different from ordinary disasters is that wehave been confronted by the very dual challenges: The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated therescue efforts. The need to maintain social distancing has reduced capacity at shelters, and the fearof catching and spreading COVID-19 has dissuaded volunteers from coming to help who would
otherwise offer help.
Thus, the help from Sentinel Asia has been more precious than ever. In this case, immediately
after the emergency observation request (EOR) from JAXA, several DPNs conducted
observations, then several DANs analyzed and provided value-added products. Also, the EOR
was escalated to the International Disaster Charter with the support of Sentinel Asia colleagues
and an expert from the Sentinel Asia community has been supporting as the Project Manager. We
are still struggling with the disaster, but we have been greatly encouraged by the thought and thefact that you, Sentinel Asia colleagues, are with us. We would like to take this opportunity toextend our sincere gratitude to all of you who have supported us.
As we ourselves have experienced, under this critical situation, Sentinel Asia could not be more
helpful and beneficial than ever before. Sentinel Asia could harmonize disaster response approachwith the combat against COVID-19 and provide solutions for dual challenges. Albeit thedevastating circumstances, through cooperation, we could turn the current adversity into a good
opportunity to enhance the value of Sentinel Asia. Sentinel Asia could be a model cooperation
platform in the context of global agenda such as Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction,and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Therefore, we, the Sentinel Asia Executive Secretariat will be committed to supporting Sentinel
Asia and make our best to collaborate with DPNs, DANs, and all Joint Project Team members toensure the normal operation of Sentinel Asia’s emergency observations. At the same time, assolidarity among Sentinel Asia members will be pivotal, we kindly request you for your continued
support, just as you have supported us. We believe we can build back better from the crises andwe look forward to meeting you again after we have recovered with resilience.
Yours sincerely,

HIRABAYASHI, Takeshi
Executive Secretary
Sentinel Asia Executive Secretariat- For sustainable development, JAXA makes efforts to solve global environmental problems. Percentage of Waste Paper
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