Although high-resolution satellite images and other information derived from space-based technologies are critical to disaster response and recovery efforts, many governments believe these resources are out of their reach.

That’s according to an official with the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) which helps developing countries to access this data via the United Nations Platform for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER).

Luc St-Pierre, Chief of UNOOSA’s Space Applications Section, was in Dubai this week for a UN forum looking at how the global space community can contribute to development efforts, including helping countries to reduce risks associated with natural disasters.

He spoke to Dianne Penn.

Duration: 4’37”