Guides

โ€œReuse and Improveโ€.

The global drone industry has been developing for decades and the lessons learned from various stakeholders can be a guide for future innovation. UNICEF and several other stakeholders have made significant contributions to the global knowledge base of the technology and use of drones in the development and humanitarian contexts specifically. The โ€œGuidesโ€ section is a collection of case studies, annual reports, and action guides for achieving specific outcomes.

A group of ten people are standing in a field. A drone is placed in front of them on top of a crate.

Guides ๐Ÿ”—

Technical Guide - The use of drones in humanitarian and development missions ๐Ÿ”—

The use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to support humanitarian and development operations must always consider the interests, perceptions and concerns of the people the mission aims to serve; and therefore should always adhere to the humanitarian imperative of doing no harm. Doing this will require assessment and mitigation of potential unintended consequences that UAS operations may have on affected communities and humanitarian action. UAS deployments in the humanitarian and development sector must observe the humanitarian ethical principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

Table of contents for the guide to humanitarian and development missions.

This guide is a summary of UNICEFโ€™s intervention design process for drone interventions in humanitarian and development contexts.

Technical Guide For the use of drones in humanitarian and development missions (Click here) ๐Ÿ”—

Download the content and utilise freely as a tool; if the guide is used in developing new content, attribution will be appreciated.

Technical Guide โ€“ Satellite vs Drones for Imagery Data ๐Ÿ”—

Today, aerial imagery is available from a variety of sources, including traditional satellites, nano satellites, manned and unmanned aircrafts, balloons, and kites. This imagery can benefit humanitarian organisations in programme implementation, resource planning, community studies, and disaster response.

Previously, the process of developing maps from imagery was painstakingly slow and it required a great deal of time from highly technically skilled individuals to patch differently formatted images together.

Satellite mapping images on a dashboard.

This decision making guide aims to take the acquired knowledge from UNICEFโ€™s use of satellites and drones for imagery collection and provide a guide on the different technologies as well as when to use a particular mode over the other.

Technical Guide for Satellites vs Drones for Imagery (Click here) ๐Ÿ”—

Download the content and utilise freely as a tool; if the guide is used in developing new content, attribution will be appreciated.

Technical Guide โ€“ Drones in Supply Chain ๐Ÿ”—

UNICEF Supply Division has been leading in the field of drones in medical supply chain.

Nurse and drone technician in Vanuatu opening a drone on the ground.

This guide shares the lessons that we have learned integrating drones into supply chain in 3 countries in different regions of the world.

Technical Guide for Drones in Supply Chain (Click here) ๐Ÿ”—

Download the content and utilise freely as a tool; if the guide is used in developing new content, attribution will be appreciated.

Submit Guideline Documents to the UNICEF drones for SDGs toolkit โ€“ ๐Ÿ”—

Do you have a guideline document that you have developed from completed research or interventions?

Join our efforts to make innovation for good more accessible and to scale impactful tools across the world. Visit The Drone for SDG Toolkit Project Submission Form. and fill out the information about your project. We will respond to your submission within ninety (90) days.