Introduction of New Technologies

Joint Project Team Meeting The Sentinel Asia Project was launched in 2006 to establish a disaster risk management　system in the Asia-Pacific region using satellites. ADRC receives emergency observation requests (EOR) around the clock from member countries and from Joint Project Team (JPT) members participating in Sentinel Asia. After receiving an EOR, ADRC requests JPT members to provide satellite images and analysis maps on a voluntary basis for use in emergency response and recovery activities. And these activities are shared among JPT members through the Sentinel Asia's annual meetings.

Earthquake in Mandalay,
Myanmar Analysed Map
(March 2025) When a disaster strikes, it is essential to quickly assess the situation in the affected area to save lives and support recovery efforts. Earth observation satellites can rapidly capture images of disaster-affected areas using optical and SAR sensors. Specifically, SAR sensors provide satellite images regardless of weather conditions. Furthermore, archived images taken before the disaster can be used to create analysed maps, making it easier to understand the status of the affected area. During Sentinel Asia activities, numerous satellite images and analysed maps were provided to disaster management agencies and utilised for DRR activities following the Turkiye-Syria earthquake in 2023, and Myanmar earthquake in 2025. In recent years, capacity building programs on satellite image analysis have been conducted for staff of ADRC member countries and Sentinel Asia JPT members.

DC Report System
utilised QZSS A major challenge in the Asia-Pacific region is the rapid dissemination of disaster-related information to people with limited or no access to the internet or mobile communications, such as those living in mountainous regions or remote islands. Even in areas with terrestrial communication systems, these systems can be disrupted by infrastructure damage caused by large-scale disasters, hindering the transmission of critical information. To address this challenge, the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) operated by the Japanese government, is designed to contribute to the provision of disaster-related information via satellites. Disaster-related information transmitted via QZSS is received by ground receivers and then distributed through sirens, loudspeakers, or wireless network messages. ADRC is actively supporting the development and cooperation of disaster-related information systems utilising QZSS.