Disaster Resilience: How Earth Observation is transforming disaster response in Morocco
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Morocco faces $575M in annual disaster-related losses due to floods, earthquakes, and droughts.
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Advanced Earth Observation (EO) mapping by ESA GDA's Disaster Resilience activity, enhances disaster risk assessment and recovery planning.
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EO data played a crucial role in assessing damage and guiding reconstruction after the 2023 Marrakesh–Safi earthquake.
Watch ESA's GDA Impact Newsroom feature on this use case.
EO-based exposure products provided the Government of Morocco with detailed insights into building types and settlement structures nationwide, enabling more accurate vulnerability assessments. Their high value was demonstrated during the unfortunate Marrakesh–Safi earthquake, helping teams rapidly estimate affected buildings and their economic impact.
Mattia Marconcini,
Research Data Scientist and Development Project Manager at German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Location
Morocco
Institutions
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Morocco faces $575M in annual disaster-related losses due to floods, earthquakes, and droughts.
-
Advanced Earth Observation (EO) mapping by ESA GDA's Disaster Resilience activity, enhances disaster risk assessment and recovery planning.
-
EO data played a crucial role in assessing damage and guiding reconstruction after the 2023 Marrakesh–Safi earthquake.
Watch ESA's GDA Impact Newsroom feature on this use case.
Location
Morocco
Institutions
As climate change accelerates and cities grow, Morocco faces mounting exposure to natural hazards.
To tackle this, ESA’s GDA partnered with Morocco’s Fonds de Solidarité contre les Événements Catastrophiques (FSEC) and the World Bank’s Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance (DRFI) programme.
Their joint mission: use satellite data to create exposure and flood risk maps that enable smarter financial planning and faster response.
Location
Morocco
Institutions
As climate change accelerates and cities grow, Morocco faces mounting exposure to natural hazards.
To tackle this, ESA’s GDA partnered with Morocco’s Fonds de Solidarité contre les Événements Catastrophiques (FSEC) and the World Bank’s Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance (DRFI) programme.
Their joint mission: use satellite data to create exposure and flood risk maps that enable smarter financial planning and faster response.
Location
Morocco
Institutions
To support proactive disaster management, the project draws on satellite data that reveals Morocco’s urban vulnerability with striking clarity.
In this step, the map shows the Percentage of Impervious Surfaces (PIS): a layer that highlights how much of each urban area is sealed by roads, rooftops, and concrete. The darker the shade, the less rainwater can seep into the ground, increasing the risk of flash floods.
This dataset complements others used in the project: Built-Up Height maps (scroll up) help identify zones with dense vertical exposure, crucial for earthquake and urban damage modelling.
Building Type Classification (scroll down) maps allow planners to estimate repair costs and prioritise responses based on structure types.
Together, these layers enable risk-informed decisions grounded in real data: before, during and after disaster strikes.
Location
Morocco
Institutions
To support proactive disaster management, the project draws on satellite data that reveals Morocco’s urban vulnerability with striking clarity.
In this step, the map shows the Percentage of Impervious Surfaces (PIS): a layer that highlights how much of each urban area is sealed by roads, rooftops, and concrete. The darker the shade, the less rainwater can seep into the ground, increasing the risk of flash floods.
This dataset complements others used in the project: Built-Up Height maps (scroll up) help identify zones with dense vertical exposure, crucial for earthquake and urban damage modelling.
Building Type Classification (scroll down) maps allow planners to estimate repair costs and prioritise responses based on structure types.
Together, these layers enable risk-informed decisions grounded in real data: before, during and after disaster strikes.
Location
Morocco
Institutions
These maps weren’t just theoretical, they were used within hours of the September 2023 Marrakesh–Safi earthquake.
Authorities deployed them to assess building types, urban density, and impervious surfaces, critical layers for estimating damage, planning debris removal and restoring services.
These maps are crucial during prolonged disasters because the satellite can pass multiple times, improving detection.
Fabio Cian,
ESA representative to the World Bank
Location
Morocco
Institutions
These maps weren’t just theoretical, they were used within hours of the September 2023 Marrakesh–Safi earthquake.
Authorities deployed them to assess building types, urban density, and impervious surfaces, critical layers for estimating damage, planning debris removal and restoring services.
Location
Morocco
Institutions
EO impact key takeaways
- Enhanced risk assessment: Earth observation data improves flood and disaster preparedness.
- Data-driven decision-making: Customised maps support authorities in financial planning and emergency response.
- Scalability: The World Bank aims to expand these open-source tools to other countries.
- Sustainable resilience: Training ensures Morocco’s disaster management teams integrate exposure maps into their workflows.
Through collaboration and cutting-edge technology, this initiative strengthens Morocco’s ability to mitigate disaster impacts, setting a global precedent for resilience in a changing climate.
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