APPLYING REMOTE-SENSING TECHNOLOGIES TO NATURAL DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT - IMPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENTAL INVESTMENTS

Remote sensing and geographic information management technologies prov ide tools by which data can be collected and analyzed to support pre-d isaster preparedness programs, in-disaster response and monitoring act ivities, and post-disaster reconstruction. The paper examines the info rmational requirements for disaster risk management, assesses developi ng country capacities for building the necessary informational decisio n-support systems, and evaluates the role of remote sensing as a sourc e of information. It discusses the relationship between development in vestments and natural disaster risk management. It describes several e xamples of initiatives from developing countries which have attempted to build a disaster preparedness and response program using remote sen sing data and other geographic information management techniques. It c oncludes with suggestions and recommendations for strengthening system s for risk management as a part of standard investment procedures.