Earth observation satellites used to help Haiti relief efforts

Logistics on the ground in Haiti have been a nightmare for hundreds of thousands of earthquake victims and for relief workers too. But agencies around the world are grasping at every available tool to help the relief efforts — including the use of Earth observation satellites. Following the 7.0-magnitude Haiti earthquake that hit Jan. 12, international agencies requested satellite data of the area from the International Charter on "Space and Major Disasters".

Very High Resolution images from Earth observation satellites can help rescue efforts by providing updated views of how the landscape and the infrastructure have been affected. They can help generate emergency maps to provide rescue services with an overview of the altered state of the area.

http://www.minnpost.com/scientificagenda/2010/01/19/15069/earth_observation_satellites_used_to_help_haiti_relief_efforts