Technical Advisory Mission to Sudan brings together disaster management stakeholders and Remote Sensing experts

At the request of the Government of Sudan, through its Remote Sensing authority, UN-SPIDER with the support of several partners carried out a Technical Advisory Mission to Sudan. The aim was to evaluate the current and potential use of space-based information in all the aspects of disaster management in the country and to strengthen its disaster risk management by providing better access to space-based information for disaster risk reduction as well as response. The international mission team comprised nine experts from the following organizations: the China National Space Administration, Kenya’s Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) of Sudan, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Planet Action (France), York University (Canada), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Office in Kenya, and UN-SPIDER (Vienna and Beijing Office).

The expert team met with the Minister of Science and Technology, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, and heads of other national organizations and institutions, such as the Civil Defense, the National Research Centre, the Directorate of Public Health and Emergency, the Meteorological Authority, and the Desert Locust Control Centre. Furthermore, over 25 officials from various government departments participated in discussions with the expert team.

A one-day workshop was organized as a part of this mission, which was attended by about 120 persons from government departments, UN agencies, NGOs and private companies involved in using geospatial technologies for disaster management. The workshop was inaugurated by the Minister of Science and Technology and the Minister of Interior. The workshop was not only effective in generating awareness, but participants also provided valuable input to strengthen the use of space technology in disaster management in Sudan. It was particularly rewarding to see that three ministers offered their time to meet the core team and participate in the workshop.

The TAM was also discussed in the UN Country Team, which led to a high participation of representatives from almost all UN agencies involved in disaster management. The TAM has been successful in sensitizing the Government to focus on use of the space technology, not only for disaster management but for the wider areas of resource management and climate change related issues.