28 August 2015: The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has launched an online e-learning platform to help countries in the region build capacity to withstand, adapt to and recover from natural disasters. The platform, called the Geo-referenced Information Systems for Disaster Risk Management (Geo-DRM) portal, is a component of ESCAP’s efforts to advance regional implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) 2015-2030, which was adopted in March 2015.

ESCAP Executive Secretary Shamshad Akhtar said that over the past 45 years, natural disasters in the region have affected six billion people, caused more than two million deaths and led to economic losses totaling US$1.15 trillion. She underscored the important role of regional organizations in creating regional solutions to address disaster impacts at both local and national levels, including through promoting real-time access to reliable data and space-derived information, geographic information system (GIS), and information and communications technology (ICT).

Akhtar also stressed that incorporating spatial data into existing socioeconomic data will lead to more informed decision making and save lives.

Geo-DRM offers courses on space technology and GIS applications for early warning and multi-hazard risk assessment. The portal combines socioeconomic data with satellite imagery and other disaster-related data, in order to provide “the right information to the right people at the right time.” It aims to support evidence-based decision making for disaster preparedness, response and impact assessment. Furthermore, it enhances information exchange on applications, operation and policy developments in space technology and GIS applications, and supports institutional strengthening and knowledge building.

ESCAP notes that Geo-DRM and similar online technical assistance and support are carbon neutral, and readily accessible even to remote areas. [ESCAP Press Release] [Geo-DRM Portal]