Images taken from orbit in the event of earthquakes or floods are critical tools in helping emergency responders deal with a crisis.

Satellite maps can show the extent of the damage or the areas under water.

NGOs, UN agencies and national civil protection centres will use the information to guide their aid efforts on the ground, pinpointing still-passable roads and the best locations to set up refugee camps or mobile medical units.

The charter was established by the French and European space agencies in 1999 but has since been joined by a range of other organisations, such as the UK Space Agency, that can provide access to remote-sensing satellites.

And the requests for help are becoming ever more frequent – at least once a month.

The charter has already been activated 12 times in 2011. These calls have included requests for satellite imagery of Japan after the 11 March earthquake and tsunami, and for data relating to the flooding in Queensland, Australia, in January.

The most recent activation occurred on 28 April to deal with the flooding in the central mid-west of the US.

When disaster strikes a region, the charter’s operations team will check to see which of the members’ satellites are due to pass over the affected area next.

Src: From BBC.com

Moussa Dembele gave Fulham hope with a crisp finish from Bobby Zamora’s pass.

Rodriguez smashed a spectacular third from 25 yards and Luis Suarez rounded Mark Schwarzer to make it 5-1 before Steve Sidwell fired a late consolation.

It was a sensational display from Liverpool, who have now scored 13 goals in their last three games and have climbed from 12th to fifth in the table since Kenny Dalglish took over from Roy Hodgson in January.

The Reds are two points clear of Tottenham, who play Manchester City on Tuesday and travel to Anfield on Sunday for a game that is effectively a play-off for the Europa League spot.

Whether participating in that competition would be a blessing or a curse for either club is a moot point but the Reds certainly set off like a team determined to secure another season of European football.

Suarez broke clear down the left and advanced into the penalty box before trying to pick out Kuyt.

The low cross was deflected towards goal by Carlos Salcido and although Schwarzer stopped it creeping in at the far post, Rodriguez was on hand to lash into the opposite corner.

Six minutes later, Glen Johnson found space behind Salcido and crossed to the far post, where Rodriguez volleyed low past Schwarzer.

There was a moment of controversy on 14 minutes when a long ball found Suarez bearing down on goal. The irrepressible Uruguayan took a tumble after an apparent push from Brede Hangeland but the officials rejected the visitors’ penalty appeals.

Any sense of grievance on Liverpool’s part was short-lived as Kuyt received the ball in space on the right and drilled a speculative effort towards the near post, which Schwarzer inexplicably allowed to slip through his fingers to gift the Dutchman a ninth goal in his last eight league games.

“I’m obviously delighted to be given the opportunity,” Dalglish told the club website.

“When we came back in January there were no promises as to what to expect, so for me it was an ideal opportunity to prove I had something to offer.”

The former Scotland striker, who famously graced the club as a player in the 1970s and 80s, has overseen a dramatic improvement in results, with the Merseysiders climbing to fifth in the Premier League from mid-table mediocrity.

Dalglish oversaw the signings of Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez and former Newcastle striker Andy Carroll, as well as the sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea.

Liverpool have been transformed from under-achievers into a club seemingly set for next season’s Europa League – and with a fighting chance of being a force in the 2011-2012 Premier League season.

Negotiations with Dalglish had been ongoing for several weeks with the final details made public on Thursday.

Coach Steve Clarke, who also arrived in January, has signed a three-year contract as well.

Src: BBC.com