report of the action team on global navigation satellite systems (gnss)

234. The United Nations Office for <strong>the</strong> Coordination <strong>of</strong> Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) hasreceived from <strong>the</strong> Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) <strong>the</strong> guardianship <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Humanitarian Information Center (HIC) concept. The work <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> HIC requires accurateknowledge <strong>of</strong> location as a requisite input into <strong>the</strong> planning and co-ordination <strong>of</strong> field operations.The HIC uses <strong>the</strong> technology <strong>of</strong> satellite-based navigation, GPS, and geographic informationsystems (GIS) combined to provide field personnel with a full picture and command <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>locations and distribution <strong>of</strong> populations, roads, distribution centres, and key facilities for alllogistics, analysis and planning activities. Associated with <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> GPS and related to <strong>the</strong>challenging environment in which delivery <strong>of</strong> humanitarian assistance takes place, <strong>the</strong> HIC hasbeen championing <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> standard Metadata and geo-codes (P-codes) which defineunique identification numbers for areas and facilities in an operating <strong>the</strong>atre. These standardprocedures and products have become an increasingly common feature <strong>of</strong> humanitarianinformation management systems.235. The Office <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is usingGPS devices in field operations to collect relevant operational geographical information in orderto improve its assistance towards refugees. Currently, more than 45 country operations are usingGPS in activities relating to site planning, staff security, environmental assessment, logistics,among o<strong>the</strong>r things. The collected GPS data are <strong>of</strong>ten combined from satellite imagery andmanaged within a GIS for fur<strong>the</strong>r analysis and mapping outputs. Expansion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> GPSdevices is foreseen in refugee operations for <strong>the</strong> coming years. Basic training and technicalbooklets are also developed by UNHCR via its geographic information and mapping unit and areprovided to staff members and partners.236. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is implementing <strong>the</strong> UNOSATproject 4 on behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).UNOSAT uses GPS to collect field information for inclusion in local GIS and UNOSAT's globalweb-based database. In addition, GPS is used to geo-reference and field-validate satellite imageryand imagery-derived products. In support <strong>of</strong> remote field data collection activities, <strong>the</strong> WorldHealth Organization (WHO) has been routinely using GPS to map and track infectious diseases at<strong>the</strong> community level. GPS is now routinely used by village outreach <strong>team</strong>s for onchocerciasis,Guinea worm, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and lymphatic filariasis, amongo<strong>the</strong>rs. Such systems are increasingly being used during <strong>the</strong> investigation <strong>of</strong> disease outbreaks forrapid mapping <strong>of</strong> cases and deaths. Within <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> complex emergency situations, <strong>the</strong>y arebeing used to map internally displaced persons and refugee camps and to carry out rapidepidemiological assessments.237. Members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> World Meteorological Organization (WMO), as well as internationalspace organizations that operate space-based environmental satellite systems contributing to <strong>the</strong>World Wea<strong>the</strong>r Watch’s space-based component <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Global Observing System, have plans to4 Implemented through a United Nations private sector consortium consisting <strong>of</strong> UNOPS, UNITAR andseveral private companies involved in satellite image distribution and analysis and geographicalinformation management, UNOSAT became operational in 2002. The objective <strong>of</strong> UNOSAT is toencourage, facilitate, accelerate and expand <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> accurate geographical information derived fromEarth observation satellite imagery for United Nations entities involved in humanitarian aid anddevelopment assistance projects. By providing services for updated and accurate geographical informationand promoting universal access to products derived from satellite imagery through <strong>the</strong> Internet andmultimedia tools, UNOSAT contributes to <strong>the</strong> physical planning process for local authorities, projectmanagers and field operators working in disaster management, risk prevention, peacekeeping operations,environment rehabilitation, post-conflict reconstruction and social and economic development.43