As the world’s most disaster-prone region, Asia and the Pacific must transition from reactive recovery spending to proactive disaster risk reduction investments. The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction emphasizes the theme “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,” highlighting the urgency of this shift. Innovations like SatGPT, a cutting-edge tool developed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, leverage satellite imagery and AI to enhance flood risk mapping and improve disaster preparedness. By providing actionable insights on hazards and vulnerabilities, SatGPT supports effective allocation of resources to mitigate human and economic losses. Collaborations across countries, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand, showcase the potential of Earth observation data in fostering community resilience and sustainable development. Empowering local governments with AI tools ensures localized insights and more effective investments in disasters. Keeping a human-centered approach is essential to meaningful impact in safeguarding lives.
