According to the International  Organization for Migration (IOM), the number of migrants and refugees that have crossed into Europe by sea has soared in recent times. Thousands of people have died while looking for better living conditions.

Mindul of this situation, the European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded a study to GMV with the goal of characterizing big data space-based services to support identification of human migration flows, assessing their technical feasibility and viability, and proposing a roadmap for their implementation and sustainable exploitation.

Together with key stakeholders, GMV UK supported by GMV Portugal is leading this feasibility study that will assess requirements from international entities such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Frontex, SatCen and EASO but also from other players such as NGOs (Conselho Português para os Refugiados, AMI, Ayuda en Acción) and local law-enforcement entities. This project integrates multiple space assets (Satellite Imagery, GPS data used for geo-localization, satellite communications etc.); “Big Data” sources, either terrestrial or derived from space assets (call data records, social media data, earth observation data etc.); and focuses on the three identified emergency-management phases (mitigation, preparedness and response). 

This study will assess the added value of big data solutions in the migration sector, namely the reduction of safety risks for migrants, the enhancement of border controls, as well as prevention and response to security issues related with unexpected migrations movements. Additionally, the feasibility study provides insights from people involved in migration; these insights will then help to understand the migration phenomenon better while also enhancing efficiency in the integration and assistance of migrants.

Once again, Big Data technologies have a crucial role to play in providing information on human migration and movements by tapping into several space assets (Earth Observation imagery, Satellite Communications or Global Navigation Satellite Systems) and integrating them with other terrestrial assets (cell-phone records, social media data etc.).