UN-SPIDER
UN-SPIDER (English acronym for the United Nations Platform for Space - based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response, United Nations German Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response ) is a platform of the United Nations, the application of space-based technologies provides for disaster management and emergency response. It was founded in 2006 as a program of the Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA ).
- 4.1 Regional Offices
- 4.2 National Contact Points
Space Technology and Disaster Management
Due to the effects of climate change and land degradation in combination with a global population growth increases the global vulnerability to natural disasters is steadily increasing. Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and other catastrophic events lead every year to devastating human, social and environmental damages. However, such damage can be avoided with better information about the probability of occurrence of disasters, as well as adequate monitoring and early warning systems. For this reason, the resolution was 61/110 adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 14 December 2006, which emphasizes the importance of space technology for disaster management. Earth observation and weather, communications and navigation technologies for disaster management of immense importance as they provide accurate and timely information.
Organization and Structure
The United Nations General Assembly established by Resolution 61/110 of 14 December 2006 UN-SPIDER as a United Nations program with the task of ensuring " that all countries and all international and regional organizations have access to all types of space-based information and the skills to develop, to use it in the entire cycle of disaster management " the mandate of UN-SPIDER has three aspects: ., the program provides access to relevant space-based information for Disaster management and Emergency Response, perceives as a bridge between disaster management and space actors and promotes skills development and institutional expansion.
The three sites of UN-SPIDER are Vienna, Bonn and Beijing.
The UN-SPIDER office in Vienna is the seat of OOSA the Vienna International Centre and is supported by the Austrian government. Employees are responsible for, among other things, for the coordination of UN-SPIDER activities, fundraising, coordination of the Regional Offices ( Regional Support Offices) and technical consulting activities.
The UN-SPIDER office in Bonn in October 2007 set up with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and the German Aerospace Center (DLR ). The Bonn office is responsible for knowledge management. The goal is to systematically prepare all the relevant information and all participating institutions in the fields to provide disaster management and humanitarian aid, as well as aerospace stakeholders access to this information. At the center of these tasks is the UN-SPIDER Knowledge Portal, which is administered by the staff in Bonn; Another task area are technical consulting activities in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The UN-SPIDER office in Beijing was opened on 9 November 2009 with the support of the Government of the People's Republic of China. The key responsibilities of this office include technical consulting activities in the Asian and Pacific region and the global coordination of technical advice.
Activities of UN-SPIDER
Knowledge Management
A central part of the activities of UN-SPIDER is the systematic procurement, processing and transmission of knowledge. Therefore, the UN-SPIDER knowledge portal was built for space-faring based information and solutions to support risk analysis processes and disaster management.
The UN-SPIDER knowledge portal that is accessible online since June 2009 and has since been continuously improved, offering users the ability to find relevant information. The heart of the knowledge portal is the Space Application Matrix, a comprehensive search engine that allows access to research papers and case studies on the application of different space- based resources related to the disaster management cycle. The portal also includes reports on current events in the fields of disaster management and space, information about workshops, training and details of the partner organizations of the UN -SPIDER.
In addition to the knowledge management and public relations at UN -SPIDER is in the foreground. In order to strengthen the use of space-based information in disaster management, a lot of persuasion must be made to elicit changes in attitudes and behavior. Through its website, but also through events, publications and social media speaks UN-SPIDER new and existing user communities to, includes new partnerships and can pave the way for innovative technical solutions.
Networking activities
Experience has shown that a number of authorities involved are involved in different phases of the disaster management cycle, and that a coordinated approach, therefore, is of great advantage. Use the networking activities of UN-SPIDER will be hands-on experts and specialists in the fields of disaster management and space involved in promoting the use of space-based information for disaster management cycle.
As part of these measures organized UN-SPIDER workshops, seminars and expert summits in all participating regions and supports partner organizations in similar events. The staff of UN-SPIDER also participate in relevant conferences around the world in order to inform on the activities and consulting services provided by UN-SPIDER as well as the opportunities provided by space-based information for disaster management.
Technical advice
Technical consulting activities are an important part of the work of UN-SPIDER. In order to improve disaster management, support UN-SPIDER thereby Member States to identify existing capacities in relation to the application spacefaring based information to analyze the institutional structures and to identify any barriers that complicate the use of space-based information. This technical guidance is intended to assist member countries to overcome limitations, such as international cooperation, networking with regional institutions and the creation of disaster management plans. The advice includes regional aspects, such as cross-border problems, emergency response, GIS-based disaster management systems and measures to reduce the likelihood of disasters. Such counseling measures may take the form of simple telephone conversations or in the form of technical assistance, on-site consultancy, training programs, and workshops. The technical advisory activities are based on three aspects: technical advisory missions, capacity-building and technical advice in the event of a crisis.
Technical advisory missions serve to identify the needs of member countries in terms of their capacity to efficiently use space- based information. The missions take place at the request of national governments and are carried out by expert teams. To this end, the team communicates with decision-making government agencies in the areas of disaster management and development, with United Nations agencies, regional and international organizations and initiatives, and private companies. The team developed recommendations, such as access to and use of space-based information relating to risk analysis and disaster management can be optimized. Since 2008, numerous missions in countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Pacific region have already been carried out.
Competence winding means to promote and strengthen the skills of individuals, teams and authorities for the use of space-based information in the event of natural disasters and other humanitarian crises for UN-SPIDER. UN Spiders efforts to develop competence include four areas of work:
- Strategically relevant recommendations for institutions and governments in relation to the application of space- based information to support the full disaster management cycle
- Improving access to space-based data and applications
- Training for improved access to and use of such data
- The promotion of access to relevant infrastructure, hardware, software, and services for space-based applications.
Thus, the work of UN -SPIDER directed in this area on institutions, people and infrastructure.
In the event of a disaster UN-SPIDER provides technical support and serves as a bridge between authorities for disaster management and space agencies or special mechanisms such as the International Charter for Space and Major Disasters. The support of UN-SPIDER is performed using the network of Regional Offices ( Regional Support Office ) as well as by communicating with space agencies.
The network of UN-SPIDER
UN-SPIDER has a global network to strengthen strategic alliances and partnerships at global and regional level. This network covers two areas: firstly, regional offices and other National Contact Points.
Regional Offices
A Regional Office ( Regional Support Office ) is a regional or national center for expertise, which is funded and managed by the respective member country. The establishment of a network of regional offices was decided in resolution 61/110 of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Today UN-SPIDER has 13 regional centers in Algeria, Argentina, Japan, Colombia, Hungary, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Kenya, Romania, Ukraine, the West Indies and Panama. Detailed information on all regional offices of UN-SPIDER Knowledge Portal can be found on the UN -SPIDER. In regular communication and coordination with the UN-SPIDER staff the regional offices are responsible for the following tasks:
- Networking and skills development measures
- Horizontal cooperation ( expert networks, knowledge management, contributions to the UN-SPIDER Knowledge Portal )
- Technical consultancy activities
National Contact Points
As defined by the United Nations General Assembly, a National Contact Point ( National Focal Point ) is a specific of the government of the respective country national institution, representing the networks in the areas of disaster management and space, such as members of agencies for space or disaster protection. The communication with all countries is always through this National Contact Points.
In collaboration with UN-SPIDER National Contact Points have the following objectives:
- The promotion of access to and use of space-based solutions in terms of disaster management in the country
- The strengthening of national disaster management plans and strategies
- The implementation of specific national activities that use space-based technologies for disaster management support.