BANDA ACEH, Indonesia, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Maps from the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security initiative of the European Space Agency are being used in tsunami rebuilding efforts.
The ESA and the European Union have worked to combine Earth- and space-based data sources to monitor the damage assessment of the tsunami and for coordinating emergency activities.
Since the deadly tsunami almost one year ago, satellite-based maps from ESA's consortium have supported rebuilding efforts.
Dozens of maps have been given to various relief organizations including the German Red Cross, Medecins Sans Frontieres and the German Technical Relief agency to help in the reconstruction operations in the Calang area of Sumatra.
"It is important to have this sort of images to make a first evaluation before going into the field," explained Alice Moreira of France's Emergency Architects.
"To have these images of before and after the disaster allowed us to make a rapid evaluation of local situations, and of the damage done. We can consider in a more effective way how best to intervene."
