About the Charter

Disasters can strike indiscriminately, in any corner of the globe and at any time. The resulting damage can extend across more than one country and seriously affect lives, property, infrastructure and the environment.

On the ground, the Civil Protection authorities and services tasked with responding to such disasters need fast, reliable and accurate information about the situation they are coping with. Orbiting high above our planet, earth observation satellites can provide this information, independent of conditions on the ground, in near-real time.

The satellites can provide wide area views over remote areas, even when infrastructure in the crisis zone has been damaged or during severe weather conditions when aerial observation is often difficult. The satellite images can then be used to create maps for management and planning purposes. These crisis maps and damage assessment products are particularly valuable to support decision making and relief teams in the field.

Pooling Space Resources

The potential of earth observation technologies can be further enhanced by combining the earth observation assets from space agencies around the world. The International Charter coordinates satellite resources and expertise from a number of space agencies to provide a quick and effective response to disaster-afflicted areas, their governments, relief organisations and others helping to save lives.

A unified system of space image acquisition and delivery helps meet the requirement for timely information essential for disaster management users. The International Charter is unique in that it is able to mobilize committed agencies – their know-how and their fleet of satellites – through a single access point. Activating the Charter makes space-based information available quickly, and at no cost, to those concerned with emergency response.