Uses of free geoinformatics for disaster risk reduction in small island developing states – a case study from Honiara, Solomon Islands

An increasingly wide range of geoinformatic data and software is available for the mapping and monitoring of hazard zones, vulnerable/exposed features and areas of risk. Unfortunately, there is a major cost barrier: high-resolution satellite imagery and the commercial geographic information system (GIS) software to process that data, can each cost many thousands of dollars. This study provides examples of low-cost or freely downloadable remotely sensed data and free Open Source GIS mapping software, applied to disaster risk reduction in small island developing states (SIDS). Examples are presented from Solomon Islands of hazard and vulnerability mapping based on free satellite data, with the data processing carried out using GIS freeware (QGIS). Strategies are discussed for improving the capacity in SIDS for accessing and effectively utilising free geoinformatics data and GIS freeware. The benefits of Open Data Cubes and their Analysis Ready Data layers for disaster risk reduction applications are considered, with particular regard to the challenges that many SIDS face. Universities, colleges and secondary schools are highlighted as being central to both improved capacity and improved outreach to remote communities.