Developing GIS capacity in The Gambia for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience

mbuldys — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 18:21:00 +0000

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The policy dialogue with MoHERST and UNITAR - part of a pilot programme providing training on geospatial tech skills for improved disaster risk reduction, climate change and natural resources management in Gambia.

UN Technology Bank

UNOSAT delivered a week-long training in Serrekunda, The Gambia, on the use of Earth Observation (EO) and Geospatial Information Technologies (GIT) applications to support operational planning and decision-making for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience to government officials in partnership with the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST).

The Gambia’s geographical location exposes the country to climate-related hazards. These occurrences affect natural resource management and have an impact on its fragile and rising economy. Droughts and floods are the most prevalent hazards and represent the biggest threat to The Gambia’s agricultural sector, affecting assets, livestock and infrastructure, and therefore food security. This, combined with the country’s high vulnerability index, increases the proportion of the population that is affected. Given the potential severity of future hazards due to climate change, national Disaster Risk Management (DRM) policies and climate resilience need to be strengthened.

UNOSAT delivered a week-long technical training introducing EO and GIT applications to support operational planning and decision-making for DRR and Climate Resilience. This training falls under the joint project framework between UNITAR and the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries “Technology Intensive Capacity Building Programme for targeted Least Developed Countries“, and was hosted by MoHERST.

From 26 to 30 October, experts presented to 21 participants from various Government ministries and institutions as well as the University of Gambia. They learned about GIT applications for improved operational planning and decision making in DRR, through a balanced approach of lectures, round table discussions, and lab exercises during the training sessions. In addition, UNOSAT ensured necessary technical backstopping activities during and after the training with the aim of promoting more sustainable knowledge transfer. At the end of the training, participants worked on a final GIS assignment (based on real case scenarios with a focus on drought and rainfall analysis) to practice technical skills acquired during the week.

"I think this training is relevant to all of us here because the world is so global. The type of information we can use here can help us and our partners around the globe. The impact of this training is immeasurable, thank you.” said Papa Sanneh, Principal Assistant Secretary, MoHERST

This training was hosted by MoHERST and delivered face-to-face in line with official COVID-19 prevention measures applicable in The Gambia. Participants were encouraged to wear face masks and hydroalcoholic solutions were provided.

“On behalf of my colleagues here we would like to thank you for delivering this training and all your efforts in this difficult time. I was able to understand ArcGIS more than before, it was immensely helpful, definitely” siad Edriss Muhamad Lamin Manneh, Senior ICT Officer, National Disaster Management Agency.

MoHERST, in partnership with The UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries and UNOSAT, hosted an awareness raising workshop event on the use of Geospatial Information Technology applications for sustainable development, on Monday 2nd November. This event focused on the role of GIT in policy and decision-making and the potential to effectively and efficiently monitor progress on reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Luca Dell'Oro, Senior Programme Specialist in charge of the Disaster Management and Climate Resilience Section at UNOSAT, presented key trends in Earth Observation (EO) and Geospatial Technologies including innovative data platforms and thematic applications integrating EO data, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

Mr. Moshe Kao, Progamme Management Consultant on behalf of Mr. Joshua Setipa, Managing Director of the �鶹APP Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries highlighted that GIT provide an opportunity for policy and decision makers to respond timeously to disaster risk assessment, mitigation and adaption to climate change. Moreover, GIT provide guidance for emergency responses and post-disaster monitoring, especially for the floods and droughts which represent the major threats to the development of the country. In The Gambia, the workshop highlighted the importance of coordination, data collection and data harmonisation amongst the key stakeholders in The Gambia, which includes the National Disaster Management Agency, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Natural Resources, National Environment Agency as well as the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.

For more detailed information on the content of the training, consult MoHERST’s webpage. You can also contact us at unosat@unitar.org.

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Experts and policy-makers share knowledge on potential benefits of geospatial technologies for Uganda

mbuldys — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 19:42:00 +0000

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Seen from above, the waters of Lake George, Uganda.

European Space Agency, Flickr

Kampala – Uganda stands to benefit from the range of evolving technological tools used to geographically map and analyse the earth and human activities, known as geospatial technologies. A special workshop for policy makers in Kampala today, raised awareness of the important role that these new technologies could play in support of development efforts in the country.

The event, organized by the UN Technology Bank in partnership with the Ugandan Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Operational Satellite Applications Programme – UNOSAT, followed a one-week course in which local experts were trained in the use and interpretation of satellite imagery, with a specific focus on disaster risk management.

“This workshop, provided timely platform to demystify geospatial technologies and raise awareness of the important role, that they can play supporting Uganda’s development efforts,” said Dr. Maxwel Otim Onapa, Director of Science, Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uganda.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation will continue to strive for stronger Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem through collaboration, coordination and partnerships at national, regional and at international levels.

Geospatial technologies and remote sensing offer a crucial location element to the monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals and their targets and indicators. Allowing for example, specific and accurate data before intervening by mitigation, preventing or responding to natural hazards, climate change impacts, household economics and disaster risk reduction.

“The �鶹APP Technology Bank is excited to be part of this workshop and training, something we plan to replicate in Mozambique and The Gambia this year,” said Joshua Setipa, Managing Director for the �鶹APP Technology Bank. “Least developed countries face barriers in adopting and staying up to date with the changing technology. We hope that this series of workshops in Africa will help to build awareness and boost support for these important technological tools.”

Despite the tremendous potential geospatial technologies offer international development, a gap still exists between the world of technology and that of decision and policymakers, particularly in least developed countries. Limited technology capacity and traditional fears that prevent their Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation uptake in policymaking persist and their rapidly evolving nature makes it difficult for practitioners to track updates about the potential use and application of technologies, such as geographic information systems and remote sensing.

“With orbiting satellites generating increasing amounts of data, the future of earth observation is now moving from data to information. UNOSAT is fully committed to leverage new developments of Earth Orbital technology in least developed countries by enhancing capacities and empowering Governments to access key information for informed decision-making,” said Einar Bjorgo, Director of UNITAR’ Division for Satellite Analysis and Applied Research.

Geospatial information, technology, satellite imagery, analysis and data visualization will play a central role in understanding the geographic extent and severity of disaster events. Today’s workshop raised awareness among senior government officials and decision makers on geospatial information technology as an evidence-based data for analysis, processing and usage methodology.

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Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries - UNOSAT

Developing GIS capacity in The Gambia for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience

workshop_gambia_1.jpeg

Experts and policy-makers share knowledge on potential benefits of geospatial technologies for Uganda

lake_george_uganda_eesa.jpg