NASA data helps pinpoint impacted populations in disaster aftermath

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SEDACCIESINs Gridded Population of the World map of Burma captures areas in shades of brown that become darker with increased population. Coastal areas hit hardest by the cyclone in May 2008 were highly populated. Credit: SEDACCIESIN
SEDAC/CIESIN's Gridded Population of the World map of Burma captures areas in shades of brown that become darker with increased population. Coastal areas hit hardest by the cyclone in May 2008 were highly populated. Credit: SEDAC/CIESIN

When two catastrophic natural disasters struck within days of each other in May 2008, disaster relief, humanitarian aid, and health officials, as well as members of the news media tapped into a unique set of NASA data products describing the location of the exposed populations. In the hours and days following the cyclone in Burma and the earthquake in China's Sichuan Province, workers had the data they needed to assess the numbers of people possibly affected in these deadly events. What arose was a timely example of how NASA data comes to the aid of officials when such disasters occur.


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