NEW YORK—Still reeling from the effects of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, the Philippines recently underscored to the United Nations the important role space-based technology can play in helping countries prone to natural disasters prepare effective responses to these calamities.

Speaking before the Fourth Committee of the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Ambassador Hilario Davide Jr., Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said the country benefited from space-based technology during the back-to-back typhoons that struck the Philippines this month.

Davide expressed the Philippine government’s appreciation for the valuable assistance during typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng of the United Nations Platform for Space-Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) of the United Nations Office for Outer Space (UNOOSA) in Vienna.

“The Philippines notes with satisfaction the increase in the availability of space-based information to support disaster management and emergency response activities,” Davide said, adding that the Philippines has a very high practical usage of programs initiated by UN-SPIDER as it is most vulnerable to typhoons with an average of 19 such weather disturbances affecting the country every year.

Davide said the satellite imagery of flooded areas in Metro Manila and Northern and Central Luzon will be of great use to the relevant national agencies involved in the planning for future disaster mitigation and response, particularly in high-risk areas.

During the onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy, Davide said the UN-SPIDER immediately made a special effort to consolidate satellite date on the typhoon and its impact, including postdisaster imagery to support the response effort in the Philippines. UN-SPIDER facilitated and requested the activation of international mechanisms and tasked certain satellites to monitor the country. It also contacted additional satellite providers; sourced funds for non-free satellite imagery; and compiled, uploaded and shared this satellite information with the Philippines and other users.

Davide said the Philippines is hoping to join the ranks of Asian countries that have signed cooperation agreements with UNOOSA to allow the establishment of a UN-SPIDER Office in Manila by June next year.