In Haiti, in the aftermath of a massive earthquake, aid workers deployed drones to carry out the
aforementioned reconnaissance and logistical functions as well as to "monitor IDP camps, helping aid
workers identify when shelters are empty and thus ready to be closed." The aerial imagery was also useful
in support of surveys of schools, hospitals and other public structures. In addition to this, aerial imaging
and surveying by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) showed the potential to influence research into
preventative measures which could mitigate destruction in future disasters. For example, rubble detection
and analysis from UAV imagery can be useful in determining the scale of the event, the quality of the
infrastructure and building, and the allocation and prioritization of response efforts. Imagery provided by
UAVs has also been used to locate standing water deposits where mosquitos and disease-causing pathogens
thrive, allowing these areas to be avoided by relief workers and displaced peoples.
The proliferation of autonomous systems--especially unmanned aerial vehicles/drones, as mentioned
above--continues in the humanitarian community, and the UN has taken up the cause by issuing a policy
paper acknowledging the usefulness of said technology while recommending caution in its use and
development. The policy paper, entitled "Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Humanitarian Response,"
recognizes the significant advantages UAVs bring to humanitarian response and cites the examples of Haiti
and the Philippines to showcase these applications. The paper goes on to encourage the appropriate use
of UAVs, as well as to call attention to ethical issues such as data security and transparency. Finally, and
importantly, it issues a call for more research.
The important aspect of this call for more research, coming from the UN, is that it presumes an adherence
to the humanitarian principles. It calls for research and development for the purpose of alleviating
suffering, saving lives, and responding to disasters quickly and effectively. Natural disasters are
unfortunately common, and the aftermath of disasters presents complex situations for disaster response
professionals and aid workers. Technological advancements conceptualized based on humanitarian
assistance and disaster response scenarios can enhance effectiveness of future response operations and
possibly serve to mitigate the damage inflicted by natural disasters. Moreover, the Department of Defense
could benefit from exploring the use of and training on technologies used by civilian humanitarian aid
workers so that, when supporting civil authorities in response to disaster relief, a more seamless unity of
effort is achieved.
Recommendation
It is recommended that more research into unmanned vehicles and autonomous systems be conducted,
and specifically with humanitarian assistance and disaster response applications in mind. Substantial
research is already taking place, especially in unmanned/autonomous ground vehicles; however, the
Department of Defense could also engage in R&D efforts aimed at improving technology in support of
humanitarian operations. Ground vehicles and humanoid robots, for example, are being developed which
can traverse difficult and dangerous terrain, defuse explosive materials, and extinguish fires; drone
technology is advancing to the point where systems will soon be able to detect human vital signs, such as
breathing or heartbeats, which will assist in search and rescue operations. More research should be
conducted with a focus on autonomous systems in humanitarian assistance and disaster response
operations so that these technologies can be better used to alleviate suffering, save lives, and perhaps even
to prevent or mitigate the effects of natural disasters. A further recommendation for the Department of
Defense is to invest in "off-the-shelf" UAV/autonomous systems and then train personnel on the
employment of this technology in humanitarian operations.
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