Universal Access: Extending the Charter’s Reach to Combat Disasters
The world is increasingly exposed to disasters, with under-resourced regions particularly vulnerable. All communities are facing mounting challenges that demand rapid and informed responses. The International Charter: Space and Major Disasters is meeting this need through its Universal Access initiative, which is changing how satellite data supports disaster management worldwide, and empowering more countries than ever to benefit from space-based emergency support.
Launched in 2012 to democratise access to space-based emergency support, Universal Access allows any national disaster management authority to become an Authorised User (AU) of the Charter. Once authorised, users can directly request satellite data to create maps and value-added products during major disasters. This informs faster, more effective response and recovery efforts. The universal access initiative is conducted by Charter members and in collaboration with the United Nations through Charter intermediaries such as UNOOSA and UNITAR who share the effort to explain and promote it with beneficiary countries.
This initiative was designed to remove historical barriers to participation and is especially impactful for countries with limited space infrastructure or technical capacity. By removing barriers to entry, Universal Access ensures that even the most disaster-prone and resource-constrained nations can benefit from Earth observation technologies.
Once activated, the Charter mobilises its network of 17 member agencies, 15 data contributing partners, a pool of value adding organisations and over 270 contributing satellites to acquire and deliver satellite imagery and analysis products tailored to the disaster at hand.
Universal Access is impactful for several reasons. Since its inception, the Charter has supported over 145 countries, with 1,002 activations to date and the highest number of activations occurring in 2024 (85 activations). This surge is, in part, linked to the expansion of Universal Access, which has enabled more countries to request and utilise satellite data for disaster response.
The initiative enables rapid response, with activations processed within hours to deliver near real-time satellite data that guides emergency operations. Crucially, all data and services are provided at no cost to the end user, eliminating financial barriers for low-income nations. Beyond immediate disaster support, Universal Access also fosters long-term resilience by offering training and capacity-building resources that empower local authorities to develop their own technical expertise and disaster preparedness strategies. Knowledge gained about hazard impacts and risks during a response can be documented and referred to for preparedness and risk reduction activities into the future.
Since 2012, 56 countries have become Authorised Users via Universal Access, with UK Space Agency and other Charter members providing AU and Project Manager training to ensure these countries can independently activate and manage Charter activations. This has led to increased capabilities and more direct, timely access to satellite data for disaster management. For example, Chile has activated the Charter 13 times since becoming an AU, Madagascar 7 times, and Sudan and Australia 5 times each. This demonstrates the long-term value and retained capability that Universal Access brings to national disaster management authorities.
Madagascar offers a compelling example of how Universal Access transforms disaster response. Since the Bureau National de Gestion des Risques et des Catastrophes (BNGRC) became an Authorized User through Universal Access in 2018, it has directly activated the Charter 11 times, almost doubling Madagascar’s previous engagement. This shift demonstrates how Universal Access empowers national authorities to act swiftly and independently during crises, ensuring timely access to critical satellite data for emergency mapping and decision-making.
The impact is tangible; for instance, during Tropical Cyclone Honde in March 2025, which displaced over 21,600 people and damaged or destroyed nearly 9,000 homes, BNGRC leveraged Charter resources to produce rapid flood impact maps for Toliara and Morondava, supporting relief operations in hard-hit regions. Similarly, in March 2024, Cyclone Gamane triggered catastrophic flooding and landslides across northern Madagascar, forcing 20,000 people from their homes. Thanks to direct activation, BNGRC obtained high-resolution imagery and flood assessments within days, to inform targeted evacuations and resource allocation.
Universal Access eliminates dependency on intermediaries, accelerates response times, and strengthens national resilience. For Madagascar, a country highly vulnerable to cyclones, floods, and landslides, this capability is not just a technical upgrade; it is a lifeline that saves lives, protects infrastructure and supports recovery.
The highlighted cases underscore a broader truth: disasters are a global challenge, but its impacts are deeply local. The Charter’s Universal Access initiative ensures that no country is left behind in the goal to build resilience.
By enabling more countries to become Authorised Users, the Charter is not only expanding access to satellite data but is also fostering a more equitable and coordinated global response to disasters. And as more nations join the Charter, the global community becomes better equipped to respond to disasters quickly, equitably and effectively. Universal Access is not just about technology; it’s about solidarity, preparedness and empowerment. By extending the reach of satellite data, the Charter is helping to build a safer, more resilient world.