21/02/2025
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The European Space Agency (ESA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) to harness space technology for humanitarian assistance worldwide. The partnership will combine ESA’s space expertise with ICRC’s humanitarian reach to develop space-enabled solutions that can help protect and assist communities affected by disasters and conflicts across Europe and beyond.
In humanitarian crises – particularly within fragile, conflict-affected contexts – ensuring accurate information and resilient communication is a huge challenge for organising relief efforts. The partnership between ESA and ICRC aims to develop a space-enabled system that integrates satellite and terrestrial data sources while translating this data into actionable information in real-time. This allows first responders and humanitarian workers to stay informed and respond swiftly.
Satellites will keep humanitarian teams connected even when ground networks fail or are unavailable, while Earth observation capabilities allow teams to monitor developing situations and identify areas needing urgent assistance. This integrated approach ensures that critical information reaches those who need it, enabling them to make informed decisions even in the most challenging environments.
“In the face of emergencies, the ability to deliver actionable information to decision-makers anytime, anywhere can make all the difference for saving lives and livelihoods. This approach empowers humanitarian workers to make informed decisions in the best interest of affected populations, even in the most fragile and complex environments,” said Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director General.
The partnership is linked to ESA’s Civil Security from Space (CSS) programme and builds on existing successful collaborations with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and a number of Red Cross National Societies. It also supports ESA’s Rapid and Resilient Crisis Response (R3) accelerator, which aims to ensure inclusive and easy access to space-enabled solutions to support all phases of crisis management, including in humanitarian operations.
This partnership represents a significant step forward in applying space technology to humanitarian challenges. The solutions developed will not only help respond to crises promptly, but also aid in prevention and risk assessment to support humanitarian work across the globe.
