Drones: Transformando la evaluación de desastres en zonas de difícil acceso - Un análisis comparativo cuantitativo de su rol como complemento en la Evaluación Inicial de Necesidades por Eventos Peligrosos

Abstract

Abstract: The thesis analyzes the effectiveness of using drones to optimize the Initial Needs Assessment (EVIN) in remote areas. The study site chosen for this work was the community of Bellavista, located in Zhidmad, parish of Gualaceo, in the province of Azuay. In May 2023, the community of Bellavista was affected by a landslide, prompting the Environmental Management Unit of the Gualaceo Municipal GAD to conduct an initial needs assessment for hazardous events. This study compared the traditional process of conducting an initial needs assessment on foot with the implementation of drones for data collection, evaluating aspects such as time, data quality, and costs. It was demonstrated that the use of drones significantly reduced the total evaluation time from 4 hours and 10 minutes to 2 hours and 24 minutes, maintained data quality comparable to that obtained through on-foot assessment, and achieved a cost reduction of 70.1%. Additionally, drones provided more precise data on affected areas, such as infrastructure and livelihoods, determining that the landslide area covered 5,920.64 m², affected 5,540 m² of grasslands, and 2,970 m² of crops. Furthermore, 653 meters of trails and 438 meters of drainage systems were impacted. These advantages highlight that the use of drones optimizes planning for emergency management interventions and enhances humanitarian response capabilities. The research concluded with the development of a Safe Operations Manual for Drone Photogrammetry, establishing standardized procedures for integrating drones into disaster assessment processes, ensuring efficiency, safety, and sustainability.