The ESA EO4SD Disaster Risk Reduction project aims to promote the adoption of Earth Observation-based products and services mainstreamed into the working processes of IFIs funded projects that seek to prevent or mitigate the adverse impacts of natural disasters in developing countries. Earth Observation applied to disasters is evolving quickly and has proven to be effective in all phases of the disaster risk management cycle such as prevention/preparedness, early warning, post event recovery and reconstruction activities.
The project pursues the following objectives:
- Carrying out demonstrations of the benefit and utility of Earth Observation (EO)-based information in support of international development projects and activities in the thematic domain of Disaster Risk Reduction (prevention, preparedness, recovery and reconstruction phases)
- Supporting directly programs / projects, monitoring & evaluation methodologies and policy & planning of the IFIs and their respective Client States not only in the sector of disaster management but also in transportation, habitat, energy, water and sanitation;
- Mainstreaming and transferring EO-based information into operational working processes of the individual countries and development organizations.
Understanding disaster risk in all its dimensions of vulnerability, exposure of persons and assets, hazard characteristics and the environment is the first priority action of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).
International Financial Institutions (IFIs) play a significant role as facilitators of funding in developing countries, in direct cooperation with national mandated disaster authorities to prevent and mitigate the adverse effects of natural disasters and foster sustainable development.