Uses of satellite data for famine early warning in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Since 1984, national and international agencies have sought to improve their ability to forecast famine in sub-Saharan Africa. A number of early warning systems have been implemented for this purpose that monitor physical and social variables that may indicate the likelihood and magnitude of famine. Several famine early warning systems use satellite remote sensing data to supplement ground-based observations. These systems have demonstrated the advantages in timeliness and consistency of remote sensing data. Although user needs have not been clearly defined, experience gained in the operation of early warning systems and the results of related research suggest that: (a) at the continental scale AVHRR GAC data offer many advantages over traditional, ground data sources; (b) quantitative crop yield estimates might be improved through consideration of both photosynthetic activity of the vegetation and length of growing season; (c)qualitative comparisons of crop years have provided useful inputs to current early warning needs; and (d) stratification of the region into coherent geographical areas would improve all estimates: