Introduction

Geospatial technologies, such as remote sensing and GIS, play a critical role in modern disaster management by providing valuable insights for decision-making, resource allocation, and risk assessment. This course will provide an in-depth understanding of how remote sensing technologies (such as satellites, drones, and UAVs) and GIS tools are used to monitor disasters, plan responses, and assess impacts in real-time. Participants will gain practical skills in applying these technologies in disaster preparedness, emergency response, and recovery efforts.

Course Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Understand the role of remote sensing and GIS in disaster management.
• Use GIS software to map, analyze, and interpret disaster-related data.
• Leverage remote sensing data (satellite imagery, drone data, etc.) for disaster monitoring and damage assessment.
• Apply GIS for disaster risk assessment, including vulnerability mapping and hazard analysis.
• Understand data integration techniques for combining GIS and remote sensing data with field surveys and social data.
• Develop real-time GIS-based dashboards for disaster response coordination.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Disaster management professionals, humanitarian aid workers, and field staff
• GIS specialists and remote sensing analysts in the humanitarian sector
• Emergency response coordinators and crisis managers
• Urban planners and environmental scientists working in disaster-prone regions
• IT professionals involved in disaster data collection, analysis, and mapping
• Policymakers, researchers, and students interested in GIS and remote sensing applications

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing in Disaster Response

📌 Key Topics:

• Overview of GIS and Remote Sensing: Definitions, tools, and technologies
• How Remote Sensing Supports Disaster Management: Using satellite and aerial imagery for monitoring disasters
• The Role of GIS in Disaster Preparedness: Mapping risks, hazards, and resources
• Types of Remote Sensing Data: Optical, radar, thermal, and LiDAR data for disaster monitoring
• Key GIS Software: Introduction to ArcGIS, QGIS, and Google Earth Engine
• Case Study: GIS and remote sensing in response to the 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

🛠 Practical Exercise:

• Using Satellite Imagery for Disaster Assessment: Participants will analyze satellite images to assess a hypothetical disaster scenario

Day 2: GIS for Disaster Risk Assessment and Hazard Mapping

📌 Key Topics:

• Disaster Risk Assessment with GIS: Identifying hazards, vulnerabilities, and exposure
• Creating Hazard and Vulnerability Maps: Mapping flood, earthquake, and landslide risks
• Using Spatial Data for Disaster Planning: Population density, infrastructure, and resource mapping
• Field Data Collection and Integration with GIS: Integrating survey data, social data, and satellite imagery
• Case Study: Mapping flood risk zones in Southeast Asia using GIS
• Creating Disaster Scenarios: Simulating potential disaster impacts using GIS modeling

🛠 Practical Exercise:

• Building a Vulnerability Map: Using GIS to create a flood risk map based on real-world data

Day 3: Remote Sensing for Disaster Monitoring and Damage Assessment

📌 Key Topics:

• Satellite Remote Sensing for Disaster Monitoring: How to interpret multispectral, radar, and thermal satellite imagery
• Damage Assessment Using Remote Sensing Data: Identifying and mapping affected areas after natural disasters
• Drone and UAVs in Disaster Response: Real-time monitoring and damage assessment with drones
• Geospatial Data Processing: Image classification, object detection, and change detection techniques
• Case Study: Using remote sensing to assess the impact of wildfires in California

🛠 Practical Exercise:

• Remote Sensing Image Analysis: Participants will use remote sensing data to assess disaster damage in a simulated area

Day 4: Integrating GIS and Remote Sensing Data for Disaster Response

📌 Key Topics:

• Data Integration and Fusion: Combining GIS data with remote sensing data for enhanced analysis
• Real-Time GIS Dashboards for Disaster Response: Using live data feeds, satellite imagery, and maps for decision-making
• Geospatial Data for Resource Allocation: Mapping resources, shelters, and emergency routes in real-time
• Crowdsourced GIS Data: Integrating volunteer and crowdsourced data for a comprehensive disaster response
• Case Study: Real-time disaster response in Haiti after the 2010 Earthquake using GIS and remote sensing

🛠 Practical Exercise:

• Building a Disaster Response Dashboard: Using ArcGIS or QGIS to create a dashboard that integrates remote sensing and GIS data

Day 5: GIS and Remote Sensing for Post-Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation

📌 Key Topics:

• GIS for Post-Disaster Assessment: Evaluating damage, estimating recovery needs, and tracking rebuilding efforts
• Monitoring and Evaluating Recovery: Using GIS to track rebuilding and infrastructure restoration
• Sustainability and Long-Term Recovery with GIS: Planning for resilience and reducing disaster risk for the future
• Emerging Trends in Remote Sensing and GIS for Disaster Management: AI-driven mapping, machine learning for predictive modeling, and automation in GIS
• Case Study: Long-term recovery in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan using GIS

🛠 Final Exercise & Certification:

• Developing a GIS/Remote Sensing-Based Disaster Recovery Plan: Participants create a recovery plan for a simulated disaster area, integrating GIS and remote sensing data
• Certification Awarded for Completion of the Course

Conclusion & Certification

Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Professional Certificate in Remote Sensing and GIS for Disaster Response, equipping them with practical skills to use geospatial technologies effectively in disaster management, from preparedness to recovery.