UK Role
The UK has a major role and extensive experience in disaster response and the provision of related humanitarian aid. Many international NGOs started in the UK and remain headquartered here including Oxfam, Save the Children and Christian Aid.
In November 2005, the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) became an active member of the International Charter ‘Space & Major Disasters’, demonstrating the UK’s continued commitment to international disaster response and in particular the application of space technology to this domain. For more information regarding International Charter members see disasterscharter.org.
Represented by DMC International Imaging (DMCii) on the Charter Executive Secretariat and the British National Space Centre (BNSC) on the Charter Board, the International Charter is neither subsidized nor profit-making. It is a humanitarian mission relying on the goodwill of its members. Each member country takes a turn to lead the Charter for a six-month period, hosting meetings, solving problems, developing operating protocols and resolving technical issues. The UK last lead the Charter from October 2007-April 2008.
The UK, through DMCii, provides Emergency on-Call Officers (ECO) on a regular rota to coordinate the Charter’s satellite fleet for international disaster response. The Charter Agreement requires an ECO to be on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and each ECO duty shift lasts for a 7 day period. A UK ECO will therefore be on duty one week in eight to provide specialist satellite planning expertise.
When on ECO duty, DMCii also coordinates the supply of DMC satellite imagery to Charter Project Managers who oversee the processing of event maps and information products to support relief efforts.
Membership of the International Charter ensures that the UK sits alongside the world’s major space agencies and satellite operating organisations, demonstrating leadership in space and achieving recognition for its support of disaster response and the success of the UK’s satellite programme.
