| Abstract | Disaster around the world result in more than 150,00 deaths per year and adversely impact another 120 million people, as well as cause damages in excess of $500 billion annually. Remote sensing has been
demonstrated as an effective technique for monitoring natural disasters. In Canada, optical and microwave remotely sensed images have been acquired from satellite and airborne platforms and have been used to monitor the progress of such events as
floods, oil spills, landslides and hurricanes on local and regional scales. However, Earth observation satellites, with the exception of the weather satellites remain the most under-utilised space systems for disaster management purposes. This
paper will present an overview of the use of remotely sensed data for disaster management in Canada with an emphasis on RADARSAT, discuss user requirements for disaster management; identify existing practices in using satellite data services in
disaster management and suggest strategies to improve access to satellite data services and geospatial products to meet information requirements in the management of natural disasters. |