IHE Delft 💧 Alumni Online Seminar: Using remote sensing to assess impact of refugee communities
Channel: IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
Date: 23/06/2021

Ms. Shivan Kebirungi, MSc alumna from Uganda recently graduated from IHE Delft covers the topic: Can quick long-term assessments of refugee impacts on the hosting natural environment be conducted from freely available remote sensing data? 

Description:
Fewer studies exist in the use of freely available remote sensing data with significant temporal coverage to monitor refugee impact on the natural environment. Multiple studies on analyzing environmental impacts of refugee camps utilize sophisticated techniques that often require significant time input. Is there a quicker way to go about this? The use of indices with satellite imagery from 1984, has been explored in eight Ethiopian refugee camps from both wet and dry climatic contexts to monitor their impact on the natural environment (land cover, vegetation, and surface water areas). The research also assessed potential relationships between the identified impacts and the refugee numbers and surrounding community over time. The methodological pros and cons of using indices from open access remote sensing data to monitor refugee impact on the surrounding natural environment were also determined.

About the Speaker: 
Ms. Shivan Kebirungi recently graduated from the Water Science and Engineering programme with specialization in Hydraulic Engineering and River Basin Development at IHE Delft. She has a back ground in civil engineering and has been working as a civil engineer with Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment since 2016. Here, she is responsible for designing and supervising the construction of water for production infrastructure projects such as earth dams, valley tanks and irrigation schemes, while working together with various implementing partners.