Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks
HNPW 2024 (29 April - 10 May 2024)
          


 
Session title: GDACS annual meeting 2023
26 Apr 23 14:00-15:30   (Salle 1)
 
SessionAbstract

Recent disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic above all, combined with the impact of climate change, are continuously proving the need for collaboration to get ready to face the future
challenges.


The solid and long-term collaboration of the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) is a
successful example: since 2004, UN OCHA, UNITAR-UNOSAT and the European Commission joint their effort and capacities to support humanitarians to take informative decisions in the onset of global disasters.


Over the last 19 years GDACS provides alerts, information analysis and coordination among international
responders to improve the effectiveness of disaster preparedness and response.
GDACS is constantly improving its tools and services to meet the needs of disaster managers, member states, and response organizations.


Expected outcomes


This session aims at providing updates about latest developments on GDACS Multi-Hazard impact analysis and coordination platforms, in particular:


  • Explore if the services meet the needs of decision makers
  • Identify areas for improvements and possible synchronization with related initiatives.
  • Agree on follow up activities, responsibilities, and a time frame for implementation


Agenda

  1. Welcome

    ·      Introduction by Mr. Thomas Peter, GDACS Secretariat, Rmergency Response section (ERS), Response Support Branch (RSB), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UN OCHA

    ·      Opening remarks by Ms. Marzia Santini, the new GDACS chairperson, team leader of the European Crisis Management Laboratory, European Commission Joint Research Centre

    2.   Opening statements by GDACS partners

    ·      Ms. Maria Zuber, Head of the Security and Situational Awareness Unit of the Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid of the European Commission

    ·      Mr. Einar Bjørgo, Director of satellite analysis and applied research division of the United Nations Satellite Centre UNITAR/UNOSAT

    ·      Mr. Thomas Peter, GDACS and STN Secretariat, emergency response section (ERS), Response Support Branch (RSB), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UN OCHA


    3.    Updates on latest developments and planned activities

    ·      MHEWS: Ms. Marzia Santini and Chiara Proietti (European Crisis Management Laboratory, European Commission Joint Research Centre)

    ·      Virtual OSOCC: Mr. Thomas Peter, GDACS and STN Secretariat, emergency response section (ERS), Response Support Branch (RSB), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UN OCHA

    ·      SMCS: Mr. Luca Dell’Oro, Chief of disaster risk management and climate resilience section of the United Nations Satellite Centre UNITAR/UNOSAT


    4.    How did GDACS support humanitarian community during Türkiye/Syria earthquakes

    ·      MHEWS: Ms. Maria Zuber, Head of the Security and Situational Awareness Unit of the Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid of the European Commission  (European Commission/DG-ECHO)

    ·      VOSOCC: Mr. Thomas Peter, GDACS and STN Secretariat, emergency response section (ERS), Response Support Branch (RSB), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UN OCHA

    ·      SMCS: Ms. Ida Svendsen, GIS analyst at the United Nations Satellite Centre UNITAR/UNOSAT


    5.    GDACS Survey Launch and GDACS 20th anniversary

    ·      Ms. Marzia Santini, team leader of the European Crisis Management Laboratory, European Commission Joint Research Centre


    6.    Conclusion and next steps

    ·      Ideas for the 20th anniversary of GDACS

    ·      Updating GDACS based on the outcomes of the survey


This is a public website hosted by the UN OCHA to facilitate information exchange in disaster preparedness and response.
The information on this page is provided by individuals and organizations and does not reflect the views of OCHA or the United Nations.