United Nations Chooses DigitalGlobe to Speed Humanitarian Relief

Sep 06, 2011

DigitalGlobe announced that the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has subscribed to the company's FirstLook global event monitoring service for its Operational Satellite Applications Program (UNOSAT).

When crises occur, FirstLook will deliver updated high-resolution satellite imagery and associated insight of the region to UNOSAT personnel within hours after the crisis begins. The imagery and data can then be distributed by UNOSAT throughout the network of U.N. agencies. With faster access to relevant, refreshed imagery, U.N. experts can more quickly deliver situational and impact analyses to decision makers and response teams in affected areas.

"Accurate and timely analysis of satellite imagery plays a vital role in helping us respond faster and smarter, so that more lives can be saved," said Francesco Pisano, Manager of UNOSAT. "Our subscription to FirstLook expands our already successful use of DigitalGlobe's imagery, increasing accuracy and accelerating response times. This is a critical milestone for UNOSAT and the entire U.N. community of users."

Adding the FirstLook subscription was the next essential step in the UNOSAT "Data-in-Hand" initiative, which combines commercial and partner resources to consolidate and concentrate access to valuable data for all types of emergency response and human security monitoring. To foster cooperation and maximize success, the agency chose a multi-license subscription, granting multiple U.N. agencies on-demand imagery access and download capabilities.

"We're honored to become UNITAR's satellite monitoring, imagery and information provider of choice," said Aaron Crane, vice president of product management at DigitalGlobe. "We are working to deliver refreshed imagery and insight faster than any other company can, enabling any analyst with an internet connection the same level of access, where and when they need it."