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NEW YORK, United States—Still reeling from the effects of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, the Philippines recently underscored to the United Nations the important role space-based technology can play in helping countries prone to natural disasters prepare effective responses to these calamities.
Speaking before the Fourth Committee of the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Ambassador Hilario Davide Jr., Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said the Philippines benefited from space-based technology during the back-to-back typhoons that struck the Philippines this month.
In his statement on Agenda Item 30: International Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Davide expressed the Philippine Government’s appreciation for the valuable assistance during typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng of the United Nations Platform for Space-Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-Spider) of the United Nations Office for Outer Space (Unoosa) in Vienna.
“The Philippines notes with satisfaction the increase in the availability of space-based information to support disaster management and emergency response activities,” he said, adding that the Philippines has a very high practical usage of programs initiated by UN-Spider as it is most vulnerable to typhoons with an average of 19 such weather disturbances affecting the country every year.
“The recent onslaught and damage wrought by Ondoy and Pepeng in the Asia-Pacific region allowed the Philippines to experience the usefulness and effectiveness of satellite imagery in tracking the movement of these massive typhoons,” Davide said,
According to Davide, the satellite imagery of flooded areas in Metro Manila and Northern and Central Luzon will be of great use to the relevant national agencies involved in the planning for future disaster mitigation and response, particularly in high-risk areas.
“Many of the causes and impacts of natural disasters are observable in real-time from space by earth observing systems,” he pointed out. “When efficiently combined with modern information distribution methods, such data can be sent rapidly to affected communities and local emergency agencies as early warning before the disaster occurs or as post-disaster maps to assist in recovery operations.”
During Ondoy, Davide said UN-Spider immediately made a special effort to consolidate satellite date on the typhoon and its impact, including post-disaster imagery to support the response effort in the Philippines. An officer was also put on duty 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
In addition, he said UN-Spider facilitated and requested the activation of international mechanisms and tasked certain satellites to monitor the country. It also contacted additional satellite providers; sourced funds for non-free satellite imagery; and compiled, uploaded and shared this satellite information with the Philippines and other users.
Davide said that the Philippines is hoping to join the ranks of Asian countries that have signed cooperation agreements with Unoosa to allow the establishment of a UN-Spider Office in Manila by June 2010.
