Utilisation of Space-based Information for Understanding Transboundary Risk and Supporting Emergency Response and Early Recovery in ASEAN: Update and Outlook

Abstract

Accurate and timely situational awareness is essential for effective planning and execution of emergency response operations. Space-based information and earth observation have been acknowledged as playing significant roles in supporting emergency response and other phases of disaster management. In alignment with this, the Sentinel Asia initiative was established as a voluntary collaboration under the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum, facilitating the connection between space and disaster management communities. Its mission is to enhance disaster management activities within the Asia-Pacific region through the application of space-based technologies. Sentinel Asia enables its members to request emergency observations during disasters to support humanitarian and emergency response objectives. Of the 127 organisations participating in Sentinel Asia, 49 are based in Southeast Asia. These include agencies from ASEAN Member States (either disaster management or space agencies), the AHA Centre, and the ASEAN Secretariat. From 2007 to 2024, entities from ASEAN Member States accounted for more than half of the Emergency Observation Requests (EOR) on average. This chapter presents a six-year update on the collaboration between space-based and disaster management communities within ASEAN, under the framework of Sentinel Asia, following the inaugural ARMOR in 2019. It highlights progress made in leveraging past Emergency Observation Requests (EORs) and outlines contributions to preparedness and emergency response operations across the region. The chapter further examines recent advancements in space-based observation technologies for assessing potential transboundary risks within ASEAN. The concluding recommendations focus on strengthening coordination between space agencies and disaster management agencies, supporting the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme 2026-2030 and the Sentinel Asia Strategic Plan 2021-2027.