Sentinel Asia: A space-based disaster management support system in the Asia-Pacific region

The Sentinel Asia initiative was established in 2005, as a collaboration between regional space agencies and disaster management agencies, applying remote sensing and Web-GIS technologies to assist disaster management in the Asia-Pacific region. To date multiple national agencies of about 25 countries in the region have joined and benefited from the disaster support services provided by Sentinel Asia. This paper presents the vision and stepwise approach of establishment and continuous improvement of this regional program, as well as lessons learned throughout its implementation for 7 years from 2006 through 2012.