ESA’s GDA is the Global Development Assistance programme implemented in partnership with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, to aid decision making in disadvantaged areas worldwide, by harnessing the power of Earth Observation (EO) data for development operations in fragile settings.

The Fragility, Conflict and Security thematic area within the GDA programme combines EO data, multi-source information and AI processing to assist the most vulnerable countries.

It deals with situational awareness in target areas, tracking specific events, estimating infrastructural damage and detecting changes in terms of population movements. The programme also monitors food security, natural resources, and assesses damage events, in the context of fragile and conflict affected countries.

The project followed an agile approach through three iteration cycles, also using data requested through the Third Party Missions programme (TPM), which was exploited for specific use cases.

The data ordered through ESA’s TPM were used to develop various EO-based products, including:

• Monitoring small-scale infrastructure (re)construction and status in Pakistan
• IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) monitoring on the border areas of Afghanistan and Tajikistan
• Assessment of refugee camp growth in Bangladesh
• Damage assessment conducted on assets affected by security events in the neighbourhood on roads in Cameroon

ESA’s GDA-Fragility, Conflict and Security related activities started in January 2022, and closed in January 2024. The project was carried out by a consortium of six European companies led by e-GEOS, leaders in the fields of Earth Observation, Remote Sensing, Navigation and Communication; Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and Socio-Spatial Intelligence (SOSINT); and the integration of technology into international development contexts.

The power of geospatial intelligence was demonstrated during the project and EO data was integrated into development operations in fragile settings showing remarkable results, which offered insights into issues such as environmental degradation, land grabbing and displacement dynamics.

A multidisciplinary approach was applied to the use cases that utilised heterogeneous data, which added value to the project results. The use case monitoring Population Movement over time across the borders of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan is an example of this approach. Data derived from EO and OSINT were aggregated into a comprehensive dashboard to assess the interrelated events and how they complement each other in terms of filling gaps in EO and/or OSINT observations.

Michela Corvino, Earth Observation Security Applications Engineer at ESA, states, "The GDA Fragility activity has exceeded expectations, producing significant results that aid in building a more resilient future in the face of fragility, conflict, and security challenges. By integrating Earth Observation data and closely collaborating with International Financial Institutions, we have provided decision-makers with tools for informed, evidence-based actions in fragile regions. Building on this success, we eagerly look towards a future where technology and collaboration continue to drive positive change, build resilience, and foster peaceful environments worldwide".