Humanitarian DronesCoordinating safe, ethical and efficient use of drones in humanitarian action

Drones are primarily a form of remote sensing, allowing high-resolution access to hard-to-reach areas. However, if drones are going to fulfill its humanitarian potential, then the structures, skills and knowledge that guide them cannot depend on large international agencies or rapid importation at times of crises. To evaluate how best to localize humanitarian drones for disaster response, we look at six countries with differing regulations, economic statuses, disaster risks levels, and geography.

How Drones are Helping with Disaster Relief Efforts

Search andRescue

Flood Riskand Impact

Post-DisasterDamage

Assessment

AssessingPopulation

Change

MonitoringAgricultural

Health

MobileCommunication

Hotspots

Countries with National Drone Regulations*At the current count, 115 countries have enacted some type of regulation controlling the use of drones in disaster areas. These regulations are inconsistent from country-to-country, and while some may enhance relief efforts, others can hamper the use of drones during disaster relief efforts.* Information as of January 2018

115Have existing laws

105NO existing laws13

Of 233 Countries Tracked…5

Drone Use Banned By Law

In Progress

SOURCES:INFORM Index for Risk Management, inform-index.orgGlobal Drone Regulations Database, droneregulations.info

For more information and details visit

radiant.earth/drones

Top 20 Countries at the Highest Risk of Natural Disasters

Risk level is calculated based on three dimensions:1. Hazards & Exposure - both natural and human-made disasters2. Vulnerability, in terms of the economic status and susceptibility of communities to respond to those emergencies3. Lack of Coping Capacity, as it relates to the infrastructure and institutional capability to lessen the impact.

Case studies: Risk of Humanitarian Crises and DronesA close look at a few countries with different levels of risks, regulations, geography and economic status to evaluate how best to localize humanitarian drones for disaster relief efforts.

HIGH RiskMyanmar

Economic: LOW incomeRegulation:

Proposed Laws:• Registration required upon purchase

or import• Flight without registration punishable

by up to 5 years in prison

In-Progress

LOW RiskThe Maldives

Economic: Upper-MiddleRegulation:

Drones PROHIBITED:• Near airports

Existing

HIGH RiskMozambique

Economic: LOW incomeRegulation: In-Progress

MEDIUM RiskPeru

Economic: Upper-MiddleRegulation:

Drones PROHIBITED:• >25kg weight• Near populated areas• Over 500 feet• Over 100mph• Within 4km of airports

Existing

MEDIUM RiskDominican Republic

Economic: Upper-MiddleRegulation:

Drones PROHIBITED:• >4.4lb weight• For commercial purposes

Existing

MEDIUM RiskMalawi

Economic: LOW incomeRegulation:

Drones PROHIBITED:• Within 10km of airports

Existing