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Space Humanitarian

Bridging space innovation and humanitarian action

I’m Pedro Matos, a former European Space Agency engineer and United Nations World Food Programme humanitarian, working at the intersection of space innovation and humanitarian action to strengthen emergency preparedness, disaster response, and resilience worldwide.

 

My expertise spans GIS, earth observation, emergency response, and the management of humanitarian operations.

 

I advise UN agencies, NGOs, and private sector partners on how technology can be integrated into humanitarian solutions. Alongside this work, I teach masterclasses at universities and share ideas as a TEDx speaker.

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Pedro Matos  |  Space Humanitarian

pedro.matos@spacehumanitarian.org

Vision

I envision a future where space technology and humanitarian action work hand in hand to build a safer, more resilient world. From satellite data that can anticipate disasters before they strike to earth observation tools that guide emergency response, I believe innovation from space can help serve those facing crises on the ground.

 

This vision is rooted in my career, which spans both advanced engineering and frontline humanitarian response. Having worked with the European Space Agency and spent more than 15 years with the United Nations World Food Programme in some of the world’s most challenging emergencies, I’ve seen how technology can bridge the gap between preparedness and response.

I am committed to helping governments, UN agencies, NGOs, and companies unlock the full potential of space-driven solutions for disaster response, digital transformation, and resilience building. My aim is to turn innovation into impact, ensuring that the knowledge we gain beyond our planet improves life here on Earth.

Pedro Matos in the Cox's Bazar refugee camp

Case studies

This series of case studies highlights how space technology can support humanitarian action in practical, life-saving ways.

From predicting rainfall and harvests to guiding emergency responders during cyclones and civil wars, these examples show how data from space can be transformed into actionable insights on the ground.

What i do

In the media

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