GIS and Remote Sensing in Disaster Risk Management

Disaster risk information is spatial in nature and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) play an important role in disaster risk management. Rapid population growth and urbanization combined with extreme climatic events are causing a rapid increase in vulnerability of communities exposed to hazardous events. Natural disasters inflict severe damage on almost the entire spectrum of social and natural habitats, ranging from housing and shelter, water, food, health, sanitation, and waste management to information and communication networks, supply of power and energy, and transportation infrastructure.

There is a great need to utilize disaster risk information in planning for effective coping mechanisms of disaster risk reduction. For this, there is a significant need to create awareness among disaster management professionals regarding the importance of GIS and Remote Sensing.

This course is job oriented and aims to impact practical skills on how to use GIS and RS, to overcome the major challenges faced in ,pre-disasters during disaster and post-disaster management such as during early warning, hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment, damage assessment, as well as in the design of risk reduction measures.

METHODOLOGY

The instructor led trainings are delivered using a blended learning approach and comprise of presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web-based tutorials and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professional and trainers in these fields.

All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English. The participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

ACCREDITATION

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with an Indepth Research Institute(IRES) certificate certified by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).

TRAINING VENUE

The training will be held at IRES Training Centre. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments and lunch.

All participants will additionally cater for their, travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

ACCOMMODATION AND AIRPORT PICKUP

Accommodation and airport pickup are arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training Officer.

TAILOR- MADE

This training can also be customized to suit the needs of your institution upon request. You can have it delivered in our IRES Training Centre or at a convenient location.

Day 1:

Basic information

• Basic GIS and RS concepts and terminologies in the context of disaster management.
• International and Regional Guidance: Protocols and action plans
• Introduction to spatial information
• Exercise I: Handling spatial information I:(Using Quantum GIS Software).

GIS data sources, data collection and integration techniques for DRM

• Data sources for DRM.
• Satellite image data sources for DRM.
• Task I: GPS /mobile phone GPS for HV field GIS data collection using ODK.
• Activity: GPS/mobile Course Tour.
• Exercise II: Handling spatial information II: GPS, GIS Integration using QGIS.
• Group discussions: How can GIS and RS be used for the identification of geographic areas affected by each natural hazard.

Day 2:

Hazard, vulnerability and Risk assessment with GIS and RS (Pre-Disaster)

• Types and methods of risk assessment, risk evaluation, cost-benefit analysis.
• Task II: Gentle Refresher of Microsoft Excel.
• Task III: Spatial data preparation and GIS integration techniques in Microsoft Excel
• Use of GIS in disaster preparedness planning.
• Task IV: Elements at risk, hazard and vulnerability assessment using GIS.
• Task V: GIS Multi criteria analysis in vulnerability assessment.
• Group discussion: How can GIS and RS be used to map existing buildings, infrastructure, land use and critical facilities located in potential hazard areas.

Day 3:

Application of Risk Information for Risk Reduction Planning (Pre-Disaster)

• Task VI: Visualization of risk information (Using QGIS/ILWIS/SAGA Software).
• Task VII: Risk mapping and database generation using Excel/QGIS and SAGA
• Task VIII: Disaster monitoring: satellite image processing techniques for change detection
• Exercise III: Creating a personal geodatabase for GIS emergency support manpower with personnel location information, contact information, and specialized skills.

• Exercise IV: Creating a risk map
• Group discussion: Use of GIS and RS in identification of the extent and magnitude of each hazard.

Day 4:

Introduction to Early warning systems and Information Networks (Pre-Disaster)

• Early warning systems and Information Networks for major hazards.
• Group discussion: How can GIS and RS be used in a Drought Early Warning System

Disaster Impact Analysis (Post Disaster)

• The use of satellite imagery for disaster relief and recovery.
• Activity: Visit to a satellite data receiving and processing station depending on location of training and availability of time.
• Group discussion: How can satellite images and aerial photos be used to locate refugee and internally displaced persons?

Day 5:

Public Participatory GIS and Disaster Risk Management (Pre and Post Disaster)

• Participatory GIS as a tool for DRM mapping.
• Task IX: Using Google Maps and Google Earth in DRM.
• Exercise VI: SMS to Map for community crisis mapping - Using Ushahidi.
• Group discussion: What GIS and RS tools are suitable for mapping of urban (social) hazards such as crime zones, drug corners, and accident blackspots