---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: John Ashworth <[email protected]> Date: Thu, May 23, 2013 at 8:08 PM Subject: [sudan-john-ashworth] Sudan: Anatomy of a Conflict To: Group <[email protected]>
BEGIN The Signal Program on Human Security and Technology (Signal Program) at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative has released its first study, Sudan: Anatomy of a Conflict. The full press release is included below. Please follow this link to see the full report: http://hhi.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/publications/Sudan%20Anatomy%20of%20a%20Conflict_Signal%20(1).pdf This study is the first geospatial-based history of a conflict created primarily through a fusion of remote sensing and previously public event data. The researchers of the Signal Program spent many months cross-referencing and analyzing over 40,000 square kilometers of archival satellite imagery of Sudan with more than 2,000 published reports of incidents occurring between January 2011 and mid-2012. Key findings of the study include evidence of the apparent intentional destruction of more than 2,000 civilian dwellings and other structures; the intentional targeting and destruction of four humanitarian facilities; identification of specific armed actors, units, and chains-of-command allegedly involved in specific attacks in Sudan; and evidence of the mass displacement of civilian populations. Besides its unique findings, Sudan: Anatomy of a Conflict also demonstrates possible applications this methodology may have for human rights investigators and humanitarian responders seeking to collect information from non-permissive environments. The Signal program hopes that this study can contribute to the ongoing discussion about the development of technical standards and professional ethics specific to this evolving field. Founded less than a year ago, the Signal Program was intended to assist scholars, communities of practice, and the public more effectively, responsibly, and safely employ information communication and remote sensing technologies in service of vulnerable populations. Sudan: Anatomy of a Conflict, we believe, contributes to that stated mission. May 21 2013 CONTACT: Nathaniel Raymond, US CELL 617-949-0928, [email protected] Harvard Researchers Publish Satellite Imagery-Based History of Conflict in Sudan 2000+ Civilian Structures Appear Intentionally Destroyed; Humanitarian Agencies Targeted Cambridge, MA-- Harvard Humanitarian Initiative’s Signal Program on Human Security and Technology (Signal Program) today released an unprecedented study of the ongoing conflict in Sudan based entirely on a fusion of archival satellite imagery and data in the public domain, most often the statements of the armed actors themselves. Sudan: Anatomy of a Conflict found that the scope of the intentional destruction of apparent civilian dwellings and other structures, exceeding more than 2000 burned buildings, is larger than previously known. The report focuses on events that occurred in disputed regions along the border between Sudan and South Sudan from January 2011 until mid-2012. “This study provides previously unavailable information about the conflict in Sudan, while also demonstrating how humanitarian actors can see other, future disasters in new ways,” stated Michael VanRooyen, MD, MPH, Director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. The report’s other key findings include the corroboration of the apparent intentional targeting of four humanitarian facilities in 2011, identification of individual units of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) allegedly involved in specific attacks, the reconstruction of key battles, and evidence of mass intentional displacement of civilian populations. The Signal Program also analyzed activity at more than 30 military facilities throughout the region to understand force mobilization and deployment trends at critical moments in the conflict. “Dangerous and often inaccessible conflict zones such as Sudan limit access to credible information about these events, including mass atrocities,” stated Brittany Card, a lead author of the study and the coordinator of the Signal Program’s data analysis. “The method of cross-referencing public reports with archival satellite imagery, in some cases, can remotely confirm or contradict claims that would otherwise remain unverified,” said Ziad Al Achkar, a Signal analyst and another lead author of the study. Sudan: Anatomy of a Conflict is based on data obtained from thousands of logged public reports originally in English and Arabic, including online videos, as well as more than 40,000 square kilometers of DigitalGlobe high resolution satellite imagery collected over the region. The Signal Program was founded in 2012 to conduct research, develop methods, and technical standards and ethics related to the use of remote sensing and information communication technologies during complex emergencies. The mission of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative is to relieve human suffering in war and disaster by advancing the science and practice of humanitarian response worldwide. END ______________________ John Ashworth Sudan, South Sudan Advisor [email protected] +254 725 926 297 (Kenya mobile) +211 919 695 362 (South Sudan mobile) +27 79 832 8834 (South Africa mobile) +44 750 304 1790 (UK/international) +88 216 4334 0735 (Thuraya satphone) PO Box 52002 - 00200, Nairobi, Kenya This is a personal e-mail address and the contents do not necessarily reflect the views of any organisation -- -- The content of this message does not necessarily reflect John Ashworth's views. 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