Real-Time Pictures From Satellites To Be Used For Disaster Management

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Satellite photo of Banda Aceh, before and after the Boxing Day tsunami. When the tsunami struck 14 countries across South Asia and Southeast Asia, member countries swung into action to release about 200 images from their satellites.

Bangalore, India (AFP) Oct 05, 2005
Leading national space agencies said Wednesday they would build a unified system to deliver real-time satellite pictures to monitor the impact of natural calamities worldwide.

The eight-member International Charter on Space and Major Disasters, which includes NASA, the European Space Agency, Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency and Indian Space Research Organisation, announced the decision in India's high-tech capital of Bangalore.

"We have proven the relevance of space in alleviating human suffering caused by such calamities," charter board member Jean-Luc Bessis said at a fifth anniversary meeting.

The charter was begun in November 2000 and has been activated more than 80 times to assist with information on emergencies such as floods, volcanic eruptions, oil spills, hurricanes and earthquakes worldwide.

"Earth observation satellites provide comprehensive, synoptic and multi-temporal coverage of large areas in real time and at frequent intervals revealing the nature and impact of disasters," Bessis said.

He said the charter was in the forefront in providing space information during Hurricane Katrina after leeves were breached and floodwaters submerged a part of New Orleans on August 29.

Earlier, when a tsunami struck 14 countries across South Asia and Southeast Asia on December 26, 2004, member countries swung into action to release about 200 images from their satellites.

"We are currently reviewing the charter functioning to improve its global operations and and integrate its various activities for optimal utilization of our resources," Bessis said.

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DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Congress Cuts First Responder Funding

Washington (UPI) Oct 03, 2005
Lawmakers will vote this week on the final version of the $31.9 billion budget for the Department of Homeland Security, which funds the Coast Guard's modernization program but slashes grants to local front line responders.

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