ESA and ICRC Partner to Enhance Humanitarian Aid with Space Technology for Real-Time Crisis Response

The European Space Agency (ESA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have partnered to develop a space-enabled system aimed at improving humanitarian aid delivery in crisis situations. This system integrates satellite and terrestrial data, converting it into actionable information for first responders in real-time. Satellites will maintain connectivity for humanitarian teams when ground networks are compromised, while Earth observation will enable monitoring of developing situations and identification of areas requiring urgent assistance. Josef Aschbacher, ESA's Director General, emphasized the importance of delivering actionable information to decision-makers in emergencies. Laurent Jaffart, ESA's Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications, highlighted the pivotal role ESA plays in equipping humanitarian organizations with essential tools. The initiative is linked to ESA's Civil Security from Space (CSS) program and supports the Rapid and Resilient Crisis Response (R3) accelerator. The partnership aims to enhance crisis response, prevention, and risk assessment in humanitarian efforts globally.