Satellite Based Rapid Mapping Supporting Post-Disaster Assessment

Disasters often have devastating effects not only on territory and infrastructures, but more importantly on populations and livelihoods. Assessing post disaster damages and related needs constitutes the main goal of emergency assessments. Disaster responders, including government agencies and international humanitarian organizations, require rapid and timely information on areas affected and areas ‘worst affected’ in the hours immediately following a disaster event. Such information is critical for allocating and targeting immediate assistance to affected populations, and also for guiding and focusing teams on the ground carrying out more in-depth assessments of damages and needs. ITHACA (Information Technology for Humanitarian Assistance, Cooperation and Action) is working in the post disaster early impact field since November 2006, producing several maps based on satellite imagery analysis.