Weather satellites have long been used to support forecasting of intensive weather hazards such as tropical cyclones, severe storms and flash flooding. Although there have been numerous research and operational demonstrations that illustrate the potential usefulness of EO satellite data for a broader range of hazards, the operational application of these data to other hazards is still quite limited. Recognizing the benefits that could be gained from better application of EO satellite data to natural and technological hazards, the Committee of Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) initiated a project for disaster management support in 1997, which later became the Disaster Management Support Group (DMSG). As a result of the work done, three annual reports and this Final Report have been published.

The goal of the CEOS Disaster Management Support Group (DMSG) has been to support natural and technological disaster management on a worldwide basis by fostering improved utilization of existing and planned Earth Observation (EO) satellite data. The DMSG has focused on developing and refining recommendations for the application of satellite data to selected hazard areas. Hazard teams for these selected areas were formed to document specific user requirements, findings, and recommendations. An information tools team has addressed information location, access and utilization requirements, with particular attention on the development of a pilot server intended to demonstrate timely access to satellite-derived data and information products (i.e., "one stop shopping") for support of various facets of disaster management.

CEOS was formed in 1984, in response to recommendations from the Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations Working Group on Growth, Technology, and Employment's Panel of Experts on Satellite Remote Sensing. This group recognized the multidisciplinary nature of satellite-based Earth Observations (EO) and the value of coordination across all proposed missions. In CEOS, providers and users of civil EO satellite data work together to promote the effective use of satellite data. Recognizing the benefits that could be gained from better application of EO satellite data to natural and technological hazards, CEOS initiated an activity on disaster management support in 1997.

A resolution to form an ad hoc working group was presented at the 13^th CEOS Plenary in November 1999. It was agreed that the group would continue the essential functions of the former project, address improved space agency coordination, as well as outreach to commercial space operators, and other issues. The DMSG was charged to serve as a forum to identify, and interact with, current and potential users of space-derived data as one of the tools to deal with disasters. The group addresses policy and technical issues including a focus on conducting a comparison of requirements against capacity, and recommends steps to correct any mismatches between the two where possible. With strong support among the representatives, the DMSG was formally established and the Terms of Reference (TOR) approved by the 13^th CEOS Plenary. NOAA agreed to continue to provide the Chair of the activity, which it has maintained up to the present. The Resolution and TOR are attached at the end of this report.

The DMSG has seven hazard teams whose members include representatives from satellite agencies and emergency management users' organizations. There are hazard teams for earthquake, fire, flood, ice, landslide, oil spill, and volcanic hazards. In the early stages of the work of the DMSG, a Drought Team was formed. It completed its work and continued in other fora (the initial report of this team is included in an annex to this report). Teams were charged with compiling user requirements; identifying shortcomings and gaps in the provision of required satellite data; and developing recommendations for alleviating them. Particular emphasis was placed on working closely with space agencies, international and regional organizations, and commercial organizations on the implementation of these recommendations.

In general, timely information on the development of hazards as well as general information on risks, hazards, and opportunities remains fragmented and difficult to locate. To begin to address these and other gaps, prototype tools have begun to be developed. NOAA has sponsored a prototype information server to demonstrate timely access to satellite-derived data and information products - "one stop shopping" - to support various facets of disaster management. A number of agencies have participated in the development of the server, providing links to their data and information services, and developing additional support tools under the auspices of the DMSG. The Information Tools Team oversees the development of the server.

Since its inception in 1997, the work of the DMSG has focused on a primary objective to define user requirements and provide specific recommendations to CEOS agencies for addressing gaps in observations, products, and services to meet those requirements. Over the last few years, the DMSG has conducted annual planning meetings and a series of workshops to implement its plan of work. The work was initially supplemented by regional workshops to reach more emergency management users. With over 300 participants from more than 140 organizations, the DMSG found strong support among CEOS members and associates, as well as an enthusiastic reception from numerous international, regional, and national emergency managers, including distinct interest from the commercial sector. The DMSG also developed close ties to a number of international organizations and has received substantial encouragement and recognition from these organizations.

The DMSG has developed a number of findings and recommendations over the last four years. These have included twelve overarching recommendations derived from nine findings. The findings note that disaster managers often recognize the value of, and are willing to use, new satellite technology, but may be reluctant to do so, since the technology is unfamiliar and unproven in an operational environment. The recommendations suggest ways that the space community might respond (for example, by promoting mutual dialogue, creating user friendly tools, performing compelling demonstrations, and using integrated approaches to create more user friendly products and services). The full set of findings and overarching recommendations are listed at the end of this report in Annex II. These include fostering more aggressive cooperation amongst space agencies, with the commercial sector, and with international disaster organizations.

The overarching recommendations (Annex II) are in part, a consolidation of recommendations common to several hazard teams. As a part of their assessment and identification of requirements, each hazard team also developed hazard specific recommendations. Hazard team recommendations and other accomplishments are included as a part of each hazard team report within this publication.

The Information Tools team has investigated a number of tools. One was a "hot events" page of links to web sites with data and products for recent significant hazard events. Another, a "contacts" page, points potential users to providers of data and products that can support disaster management. The Information tools team report expands on these and other related activities. Also, the DMSG has worked with the CEOS Working Group on Information Systems and Services (WGISS) to find ways to leverage tools and capabilities developed by WGISS for broader community use.

In 2000, CEOS instructed the DMSG to promote and support use of space systems in all phases of disaster support, with specific emphasis on the International Charter for Space and Major Disasters (the "International Charter"). In this way, the work of the DMSG evolved from investigation and demonstration of technical coordination of civil satellite systems in support of disaster management, to defining Emergency Scenarios specifically to assist the International Charter. The International Charter was initiated by the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) and the European Space Agency (ESA). It allows space agencies to conduct multi-mission tasking of existing satellites, on a "best efforts" basis, as demonstrations of joint support for specific hazards. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the United States National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Indian Space Research Organization have subsequently joined.

In sum, the DMSG has both supported and learned from the experiences of agencies that participate in the International Charter and has helped to promote the demonstration of coordination of space agency responses to specific disasters using guidelines based on the International Charter. For this final report, leaders of the DMSG Hazard Teams, in collaboration with users and other experts from around the world, have pulled together final recommendations to space agencies and developed preliminary emergency scenarios for each hazard area.

The DMSG has worked closely with key international organizations and partnerships that have roles in coordinating aspects of disaster management. These are primarily the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) which supports the UN Committee on Peaceful Use of Outer Space (COPUOS) in its work following decisions taken at UNISPACE III, and as described above, the International Charter for Space and Major Disasters. The ISDR is the successor to the UN International Decade for Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) that ended in 1999. The ISDR is focusing on creating a global culture for disaster prevention. COPUOS has launched a three-year work plan to develop an integrated, global disaster management support system through its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC). An Action Team on Disaster Management has been formed to implement the COPUOS work plan drawing, in part, from the work of the DMSG. ISDR and OOSA have both maintained a close liaison with the DMSG regarding coordination of disaster management related to remote sensing, including support for the International Charter, through cross briefings, workshops and joint activities.

The Group's work has also pursued a closer relationship with the commercial sector. In 2000, the DMSG invited representatives from four commercial remote sensing operators (Spot Image, RADARSAT International, Orbimage and Space Imaging) to convene a panel that would provide perspectives on using satellite data for disaster management support. The panel was tasked to introduce the capabilities of each of their respective companies, to identify barriers to improving the use of satellite data for disaster management, and to identify potential areas for collaboration to mitigate such barriers.

Perceived barriers and some possible remedies were identified. In most cases they mirrored barriers identified by users and space agencies. It was recognized that requirements must be sufficiently identified; but they often are not. Funding and contracts must be in place and available when disaster strikes; they often are not. Realistic training is essential and experience is needed (for example, through pilot projects). It was also recognized that there are no robust stand-alone solutions. Information must often be derived from multiple data sources and be integrated into a usable format - a particular challenge that requires a highly knowledgeable user or value-added services provider.

The CEOS WGISS has responsibility for developing several information tools that can be useful for DMSG activities. More recently, WGISS has supported the Information Tools team in developing a contact list for providers of data and products that can support disaster management. DMSG has also used the CEOS International Directory Network (IDN) database of contact information for providers of Earth observation data and World Wide Web based tools developed by the Canadian Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) to search the IDN. For more information: http://wgiss.ceos.org

The final DMSG workshop, held in Brussels, Belgium, focused on development of the Emergency Scenarios for hazard support described above. The scenario were developed to serve as guidelines for identifying appropriate satellite data and products to support emergencies under specific disaster circumstances, and to assist the Parties to the International Charter with scenario definition. Taken together, the scenarios comprise a handbook of what to do when each type of disaster occurs.

While the International Charter addresses the provision of data only during the crisis/response phase of a disaster, the DMSG mandate has been to address all phases of disaster (mitigation, preparedness/warning, and relief/response/recovery). Each hazard team determined which disaster management phase(s) to define when they developed the Emergency Scenarios that are included in this report.

The final DMSG Brussels workshop covered a number of key topics:

• Focus on the International Charter: Space and Major Disasters
• Update on the European Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES)
• Participation of CEOS WGISS Chair Peter Churchill, European Commission Joint Research Centre, whom also chairs the GMES Working Group on Environmental Stress;
• Involvement of the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs
• Involvement of the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
• Briefing on the British small satellite constellation for disaster support.

The 2002 work-plan for DMSG is focused on refining hazard support scenarios, assisting CEOS space agencies with consideration and responses to the specific recommendations, and working with other bodies - including UN OOSA, UN ISDR, the International Charter, and others, on a smooth transition of the DMSG's work This also includes the formulation of final recommendations for the CEOS Plenary in Fall 2002 for a way forward in the future.

CEOS will also co-host, with UN OOSA and ESA, two regional workshops on the use of Earth observing satellites for disaster support on behalf of CEOS - one in Africa and one in Asia. These will be similar to the workshop co-sponsored by OOSA, ESA, and the Government of Chile that was held in Santiago, Chili, in November 2000, entitled: "Use of Space Technology for Disaster Management."

The development of an IGOS Geohazards Theme is moving forward, and will play a key role in continuing and supplementing the work initiated within the DMSG. Several of the DMSG hazard teams (earthquake, landslide, and solid Earth dimensions of volcanoes) have joined the effort to develop a theme proposal.

The IGOS Partnership brings together a number of international organizations working on the observational components of global environmental issues, both from a research perspective as well as an operational point of view. The IGOS Partners have adopted a theme concept, which allows for a coherent definition and development of an overall global strategy for observing selected areas of common interest and are based on the assessment of the relevant scientific and operational priorities for overcoming deficiencies in current information. Several themes have already begun, covering areas such as Oceans, the Carbon Cycle, the Water Cycle, Coasts/Coral Reefs, and Atmospheric Chemistry. The IGOS Geohazards Theme will provide an integrated geological/geophysical approach that addresses geo-spatial information needs for Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Ground Instability Hazards. For further information: http://ioc.unesco.org/igospartners/igoshome.htm

The efforts of the DMSG have served to demonstrate the great value of inter-regional facilitation and cooperation. The final phase of work for the DMSG is focusing on completing the mandate from the CEOS Plenary, addressing areas where there is a need for refinement, and defining the way forward in an orderly fashion. The work of the DMSG will continue in the various other groups with which it has actively collaborated and supported in the past - particularly, the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS), the UN ISDR, and UN OOSA in its support of COPUOS. As described below, continuing activity will occur under the prospective IGOS Geohazards Theme, in which there is involvement of a number of experts from the DMSG Hazard Teams. In addition, CEOS will co-host Regional Workshops, in collaboration with UN OOSA and ESA on "The Use of Space Technology for Disaster Management." The workshops will bring together practitioners and space agencies that have developed space technology solutions, including those responsible for dealing with disaster management and space technology in developing countries. These workshops will, among other things, enhance the awareness of managers and decision-makers involved in disaster management to the potential benefits of using space-based technologies.

The Hazard Team reports and the Information Tools Team report that are included here in the Final DMSG Annual Report available in a limited number hardcopies and electronically via the DMSG information server web site at http://disaster.ceos.org.