In a compelling call to action, Marie Makuate, a Cameroonian scientist and geospatial expert, emphasizes the need for more African nations to launch their own satellites to enhance disaster response efforts and reduce reliance on costly foreign data. Based in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Makuate’s expertise in analyzing satellite images has proven crucial in numerous emergencies, including the recent devastating earthquake in central Morocco.
Working for the NGO Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, Makuate crafts detailed maps from satellite imagery to assist emergency services in navigating challenging terrains swiftly. Her work became especially vital last September when her maps helped organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières reach victims in the quake-hit areas of Morocco, including Marrakesh.
Despite the availability of some free satellite images for disaster relief, Makuate highlights the limitations and costs associated with accessing high-quality data when time is of the essence. “When an emergency starts, I have to negotiate with our satellite partners to find who can offer the best-quality images for free,” she explains. However, this free access is often restricted to specific areas and for a limited time.