Advancing Disaster Resilience in Ethiopia:

Harnessing Astronomy and Interdisciplinary

Collaboration for Sustainable Development

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Bella Roman

IAU GA

Cape Town, South Africa

August, 2024

Objective

• To share how astronomy and interdisciplinary approaches can improve disaster resilience in Ethiopia .

Overview of Ethiopia's Vulnerability to Disasters

• Ethiopia faces natural Disasters ; frequent droughts and floods, desert locust, land slide which all disproportionately affecting impoverished and vulnerable communities.
• Exposure to natural hazards is place-based, however vulnerability and adaptive capacity differs
• Agricultural activities distorted, increasing pressures over water, food and energy,
• Addressing these challenges requires innovative approaches, integrating advanced technologies and interdisciplinary efforts.

The Role of Astronomy and Space Science in DRM

• Science and technology are crucial for innovation in disaster management, offering new and enhanced methods for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. They are already making a significant impact by saving lives and livelihoods through innovative approaches.
• Astronomy and space science offer advanced tools for hazard and risk assessments, improving the accuracy of early warnings.
• Satellite based observation track and forecast floods, drought , wildfire
• Utilizing earth observations and imagery (predictive modeling) for rapid damage assessment, for instance combining satellite data with GIS technologies for landslide mapping and understanding pre- and post-event situations
• Earth Observation data has played a key role in integrating climate change adaptation(CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) through resilient land use planning in key sectors of development such as agriculture, water, environment, and energy among others.

Empowering Communities with Early Warning Data

• Community Based Flood forecasting system
• Tools like SERVIR provide early warning and insights to communities, enhancing preparedness and response to flood https://servirglobal.net/what-we-do
• Addressing Economic and Social Loss
• Satellite data supports parametric insurance schemes, triggering payout based on disaster indicators to provide financial relief
• Communicating disaster risk to enhance community resilience
• Use satellite data and outreach programs to involve women and vulnerable populations in DRM, enhance resilience and gender equality
• Engaging affected and vulnerable communities in generating research questions and conducting research,

Experiences from Ethiopia

• The East African Office of Astronomy for Development (EA- ROAD)
• The office supports various initiatives in East Africa such as projects that use astronomy to address local challenges.
• Fosters interdisciplinary collaborations among astronomers, meteorologists, and DRM experts
• Established on disaster early warning system
• Developed National Natural Hazards Risk Atlas
• Provide real time data
• Installed optical telescope for asteroid tracking

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Way Forward

• Continue to contribute to humanitarian assistance by using satellite data and GIS to map food insecurity and plan distribution
• Foster collaboration among the private sector, NGOs and donors to invest in technology, satellite-based services to build a more resilient and inclusive society
• Support and fund research and innovation on Astronomy and space technologies and applications

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• አመሰግናለሁ
• Thank you

^{cape town}

^exhibition

^{International Astronomical Union General Assembly}