Climate change impacts, particularly hydrometeorological hazards such as extreme floods, sea-level rise and salinity intrusion, are increasingly displacing rural farming communities across Southeast Asia. In response, a regional research initiative led by Chiang Mai University (CMU-SPP) and its partners aims to support just and sustainable land allocation for displaced farmers in Cambodia, Thailand and Viet Nam. A central pillar of this initiative is the development of analytical and decision-support tools that help governments and communities assess displacement risks and plan relocation based on evidence, human rights principles and local vulnerabilities.

As a primary technical partner, the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT), under the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), is developing a Climate Displacement Risk Model using Geospatial Information Technology (GIT). Within this context, UNOSAT is offering an introductory course on Geospatial Information Technology for Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development.

Geospatial Information Technology (GIT) links hazards, people, infrastructure, and services through location. By integrating Earth observation, GIS, and socio-economic data, it turns complex information into decision ready maps and analysis that show where risks concentrate, who is most exposed, and where access gaps exist in essential services. GIT supports the full disaster risk management cycle, from prevention and preparedness to response and recovery, by enabling risk assessments that combine hazard, exposure, and vulnerability to estimate potential impacts and guide targeted risk reduction and early action. It also supports sustainable development by informing safer land use and infrastructure planning, protecting livelihoods and natural resources, and improving the equity and efficiency of investments so development gains are more resilient to climate and disaster risks.