30 Years of Innovation and Excellence: GRID-Arendal Annual Report 2019

Explaining how satellite data can help countries affected by fragility

GRID-Arendal kicked off a public communications push for the Fragility, Conflict and Security project of the European Space Agency in 2019. The project – part of the Earth Observation for Sustainable Development (EO4SD) initiative – demonstrates how data from Earth observation satellites can be used to reduce environmental and human insecurity in states affected by fragility. Satellite data can reveal crucial information about issues such as pollution, illegal logging, the

spread of disease, and refugee movements, which can inform planning and decision-making by governments and international financial institutions. GRID-Arendal built a website for the Fragility, Conflict and Security project, developed a communications strategy, produced an introductory video, and assembled other explanatory material, and we will be facilitating stakeholder involvement and capacity-building for the project through our existing networks and activities.

KEY NUMBERS

16

countries where the Fragility, Conflict and Security project has been active

80

percentage of humanitarian needs driven by conflict

2 billion

$70–230 billion estimated number of people who experience insecurity because their countries are affected by fragility, conflict, or violence estimated annual cost to developing countries of transnational criminal activity

Earth observation reveals the areas where Venezuelan migrants are settling in the outskirts of Cúcuta, Colombia.

Satellite data contribute to a colourful ecosystem assessment in an area of central eastern Colombia.

20