--- title: "Humanitarian and development | Nexus Observatory" description: "Deployable connectivity and sensing for displacement sites and crisis response, observing-network gap filling where stations are fewest…" url: https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/ publisher: Nexus Observatory Inc. updated: 2026-11-02 --- Humanitarian: observation where the need is greatest and the grid is thinnest: the site at a glance. The loop, step by step: 1. A storm has cut the coast road. 2. Sensor, link, edge and console stand ready. 3. The relief convoy arrives with a terminal. 4. Sensors check that the response worked. 5. The terminal acquires a satellite pass. 6. Time and place are fixed to every sample. 7. The link reaches the field edge node. 8. The relay forwards sealed packets untouched. 9. The edge verifies every signature first. 10. Needs and stocks are merged on site. 11. Only a confirmed result leaves the edge. 12. The coordination cell sees the whole camp. 13. The alert arrives with its evidence attached. 14. Aid is routed to the settlement that asked. 15. Instruments confirm the response took effect. 16. Record, proof and action are archived together. 17. The camp is connected and the sky clears. 01 / 17 A storm has cut the coast road [Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/) / **Humanitarian** # Observation where the need is greatest and the grid is thinnest. Deployable connectivity and sensing for displacement sites and crisis response, observing-network gap filling where stations are fewest, satellite backhaul where nothing else reaches, and evidence funders can audit. [Plan a deployment](https://observatory.global/contact/deployment/) [Use cases](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/use-cases/) [Open the explainer](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/explainer/) **01** Stories ## How it works, in place. Interactive stories with figures drawn to scale and every claim referenced. [All stories](https://observatory.global/stories/) [System: Federation across agencies **Many agencies, one picture** No single agency observes everything it needs. Federation lets each keep its own systems and still share: common interfaces, common catalogues and common…](https://observatory.global/stories/federation/) [System: Resilient operations **When the links fail** Observing systems matter most on the days infrastructure fails. Designing for that day means local autonomy, stored power, store-and-forward delivery and…](https://observatory.global/stories/resilient-ops/) **02** Specialized fields ## Humanitarian, field by field. Humanitarian and development work needs infrastructure that deploys fast and runs where little else does: sensing at displacement sites, connectivity for responders, drought indicators that trigger early action, and a cold chain that keeps every dose safe. Each field below has its own standards, stack, radio, power and crew work, from the first order to the running operation. [Specialized field Displacement sites and campsWeather, heat, flood, water supply and storage at camps and displacement sites, so site managers protect people from the hazards of the place and keep water flowing.The full field →](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/displacement-sites/) [Specialized field Field connectivity for respondersSatellite and cellular connectivity, Wi-Fi and mesh for field offices, warehouses and responders, deployed in days, secured and run for the length of the operation.The full field →](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/field-connectivity/) [Specialized field Drought and food security monitoringRain, soil moisture and water point stations where food insecurity follows drought, feeding the indicators that trigger early action before harvests fail.The full field →](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/drought-food-security/) [Specialized field Vaccine and medicine cold chainTemperature, power and door monitoring for vaccine refrigerators at clinics and depots, so health workers see a failing fridge before vaccines are spoiled.The full field →](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/cold-chain/) **03** The problem ## What this industry has to measure. School connectivity, displacement sites, anticipatory-action hydromet nodes and health-facility monitoring. **01** Weather and water where stations are missing **02** Connectivity at camps and field offices **03** Off-grid power **04** Hazard exposure **05** Audit-ready evidence for funders **04** Outcomes and proof ## What you get, and how you can check it. Every system we deliver comes with the evidence a buyer, an auditor or a regulator asks for. What you can measure - **Weather and water where stations are missing** - **Connectivity at camps and field offices** - **Off-grid power** - **Hazard exposure** - **Audit-ready evidence for funders** Proof buyers ask for - UN vendor registration - Long-term agreement eligibility - Humanitarian standards alignment - Data protection - Local capacity transfer - Total cost of ownership - Calibration records; no diagnosis or treatment - Data completeness **05** Use cases ## Where it is deployed. Worked use cases and deployment scenarios. Open one for the kit, the data products and the standards. [Use case · high complexity GBON gap-filler stationA WMO-grade surface station, optional upper-air ground station and a WIS 2.0 node, built to report reliably where the global basic observing network has gaps.WhoNational meteorological and hydrological services, through their implementing entities.DataHourly and sub-hourly BUFR observations to WIS 2.0; National open data and verification feeds; Reporting-uptime evidenceWMO-No. 8 (CIMO Guide) WMO-No. 1160 (Manual on WIGOS, GBON) WMO WIS 2.0 WMO-No. 306 (BUFR) The full use case →](https://observatory.global/use-cases/gbon-gap-filler/) [Use case · medium complexity School connectivity observatoryA connected school as an observatory node: backhaul, Wi-Fi, a connectivity probe and an optional weather and air-quality station.WhoEducation ministries, UN country offices, school networks.DataSchool connectivity status; Classroom weather and air datasetsOpen school-mapping and daily-check tools of the programme GLOBE protocols (optional) The full use case →](https://observatory.global/use-cases/school-observatory/) [Use case · medium complexity Displacement-site connectivity and sensingPoint-to-multipoint wireless with satellite backhaul, solar power and community Wi-Fi, plus water and flood sensing with explicit protection safeguards.WhoUN refugee agency, non-governmental organisations, emergency telecommunications cluster.DataAccess and service availability; Water, sanitation and hygiene telemetryUNHCR data-protection policy Sphere and Core Humanitarian Standard The full use case →](https://observatory.global/use-cases/displacement-site/) [Development and humanitarian School connectivity with a school observatorySatellite or fixed wireless, school Wi-Fi, an open connectivity probe and an optional station.The full use case →](https://observatory.global/use-cases/school-observatory/) [Development and humanitarian Displacement-site connectivity and sensingPoint-to-multipoint wireless, satellite backhaul, solar and water-point sensors with protection safeguards.The full use case →](https://observatory.global/use-cases/displacement-site/) [Development and humanitarian Anticipatory-action hydromet nodesStations deployed through UN implementing entities of the systematic-observations financing pathway.The full use case →](https://observatory.global/use-cases/gbon-gap-filler/) [Every use case](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/use-cases/) **06** Solution bundles ## Start with one unit. Grow to a network. The same systems at every scale, on the open protocol, so nothing you buy is replaced as you grow. 1. **01** Base unit One station or node, specified for this industry: instruments, power, enclosure and backhaul. [Build a station →](https://observatory.global/studio/builder/) 2. **02** Site A surveyed, commissioned site with its timing, its links and the evidence file a buyer can audit. [Plan a site →](https://observatory.global/contact/deployment/) 3. **03** Fleet Many sites run as one service: one plan, one update path, one evidence trail, one service level. [Managed offers →](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/solutions/) 4. **04** Network Fleets that federate with partner grids through the open protocol, owner by owner. [The open protocol →](https://observatory.global/protocol/) **07** Solutions ## What we deliver. Each offer is designed, deployed and run on the open protocol by Nexus Observatory Inc. managed service ### Satellite and non-terrestrial backhaul LEO and GEO backhaul, 3GPP non-terrestrial integration and direct-to-device fallbacks for remote sites. [How we deliver it →](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/solutions/#ntn-backhaul) data licence, professional services ### Earth observation tasking, processing and change detection SAR and optical acquisition planning, analysis-ready processing and change detection checked against field truth, delivered as STAC and COG. [How we deliver it →](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/solutions/#eo-services) hardware + software, managed service ### Microgrids and off-grid site power PV, storage and generator sizing for instruments and edge sites, with telemetry and remote control. [How we deliver it →](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/solutions/#site-power) rental, managed service ### Deployable connectivity and sensing kits A cell on wheels with satellite backhaul, mesh telemetry and environment nodes for incident bases and events. [How we deliver it →](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/solutions/#deployable-kits) build-operate-transfer, professional services ### National observing network programmes Build-operate-transfer of national observing infrastructure as digital public infrastructure, with transfer of skills and records. [How we deliver it →](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/solutions/#national-networks) **08** Service platforms ## The platforms behind it. The service platforms that build the systems this industry runs on. [Service platform ConnectivityPrivate 5G, AI-RAN and orbit, on site.](https://observatory.global/connectivity/) [Service platform Field servicesSurvey to decommission, one accountable crew.](https://observatory.global/field-services/) [Service platform Hardware & powerBuilt for the site, not the lab.](https://observatory.global/hardware/) [Service platform Protocol & GridYour grid, on the open protocol.](https://observatory.global/grid-services/) [Service platform Sensors & instrumentsMeasurements that carry their own proof.](https://observatory.global/sensors/) [Service platform Design and integrationOne accountable integrator, site to grid.](https://observatory.global/#lines) [Service platform Space and satellite systemsFrom orbit to the ground, on one protocol.](https://observatory.global/space/) [Service platform Earth observation & GeoAIThe ground, measured and modelled.](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/) [Service platform Data & licensingGrid data, licensed for your use.](https://observatory.global/data-products/) [How each platform serves this industry](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/platforms/) **09** Standards and compliance ## Drawn against the standards your auditors use. Standards the systems are drawn against - WMO-No. 8 (CIMO Guide) - WMO-No. 1160 (Manual on WIGOS, GBON) - WMO WIS 2.0 - WMO-No. 306 (BUFR) - Open school-mapping and daily-check tools of the programme - GLOBE protocols (optional) - UNHCR data-protection policy - Sphere and Core Humanitarian Standard Regulation and authority - **Spectrum and siting** Licences, permits and siting are part of the plan, country by country. [Country notes →](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/countries/) - **Privacy and data** Your data stays yours, under the licence you choose. [Privacy notice →](https://observatory.global/legal/privacy/) - **Security** Hardware-rooted identity and signed updates on every device. [Security →](https://observatory.global/security/) **10** Questions buyers ask ## Before you scope it. Who sells, and who owns the data? Nexus Observatory Inc. is the seller of record. The data your systems collect stays yours, under the licence you choose. Do we have to buy hardware? No. We deliver as a managed service, a data licence or a system you own. Can we start small? Yes. Start with one station or one site, then grow to a fleet and a network on the same open protocol, without replacing what you bought. Which standards do the systems meet? Each system is drawn against the open protocol and the standards it is composed from, listed on this page. What happens after go-live? We run the systems to a written service level, with monitoring, repair and an evidence trail, or train your team to run them. ### Ready when you are. Plan a deployment, configure a station or talk to sales. Every request reaches the team that answers it. [Plan a deployment](https://observatory.global/contact/deployment/) [Station Builder](https://observatory.global/studio/builder/) [Talk to sales](https://observatory.global/contact/sales-enquiry/) **11** Open and community ## Open by default. Built with the people who use it. Open data, open methods and the open protocol, with the people who use them. Open projects this community builds on - Giga open-source tools - 3D-PAWS - Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team - Mapeo Take part - [Join the community, one account for the whole network](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/community/) - [Use the open methods and templates](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/open/) - [Follow a learning path](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/resources/) - [Read the country notes](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/countries/) **12** Public and civic ## Neighbouring industries. [Industry Public safetyWarning time, gained at the sensor.](https://observatory.global/industries/public-safety/) [Industry GovernmentNational observing infrastructure, delivered as one programme.](https://observatory.global/industries/government/) [Industry CitiesThe city, measured block by block.](https://observatory.global/industries/cities/) [Industry Civil resilienceInfrastructure that reports before it fails.](https://observatory.global/industries/resilience/) [Industry CommunitiesConnectivity and observation the community owns.](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/) ## Bring us the site. Survey, design, deployment and operation for humanitarian. The form names who receives your details. [Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/) [Plan a deployment](https://observatory.global/contact/deployment/) [Home](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/) [Use cases](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/use-cases/) [Specialized fields](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/fields/) [Solutions](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/solutions/) [Platforms](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/platforms/) [Systems and technologies](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/systems/) [Frontier](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/frontier/) [Open](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/open/) [Community](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/community/) [Countries](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/countries/) [Resources](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/resources/) [Contact](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/contact/) [Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/)**Humanitarian** . Observation where the need is greatest and the grid is thinnest.[Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/) Humanitarian - [Overview](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/) - [Explainer](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/explainer/) - [Specialized fields](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/fields/) - [Use cases](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/use-cases/) - [Solutions](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/solutions/) - [Platforms](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/platforms/) - [Resources](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/resources/) - [Contact](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/contact/) Platforms - [Observatory Protocol](https://observatory.global/protocol/) - [Protocol & Grid](https://observatory.global/grid-services/) - [Software](https://observatory.global/software/) - [Hardware & power](https://observatory.global/hardware/) - [Sensors & instruments](https://observatory.global/sensors/) - [Connectivity](https://observatory.global/connectivity/) - [Edge compute & AI](https://observatory.global/edge-ai/) - [Earth observation & GeoAI](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/) - [Space and satellite systems](https://observatory.global/space/) - [Digital twins and simulation](https://observatory.global/digital-twins/) - [Data & licensing](https://observatory.global/data-products/) - [Field services](https://observatory.global/field-services/) - [Frontier labs](https://observatory.global/labs/) Solutions - [Early warning](https://observatory.global/use-cases/street-flood/) - [Wildfire and fire weather](https://observatory.global/use-cases/wildfire-camera/) - [Environmental compliance](https://observatory.global/use-cases/methane-fenceline/) - [Asset monitoring](https://observatory.global/industries/infrastructure/) - [Private networks](https://observatory.global/connectivity/private-5g/) - [Remote power and sites](https://observatory.global/use-cases/remote-microgrid/) - [Climate and resilience](https://observatory.global/industries/climate/) - [Site twins](https://observatory.global/digital-twins/) - [Data licensing](https://observatory.global/data-products/) Industries - [Public safety](https://observatory.global/industries/public-safety/) - [Government](https://observatory.global/industries/government/) - [Cities](https://observatory.global/industries/cities/) - [Civil resilience](https://observatory.global/industries/resilience/) - [Communities](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/) - [Humanitarian](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/) - [Climate](https://observatory.global/industries/climate/) - [Water](https://observatory.global/industries/water/) - [Nature](https://observatory.global/industries/nature/) - [Oceans](https://observatory.global/industries/oceans/) - [Agriculture](https://observatory.global/industries/agriculture/) - [Energy](https://observatory.global/industries/energy/) - [Telecom](https://observatory.global/industries/telecom/) - [Transport](https://observatory.global/industries/transport/) - [Infrastructure](https://observatory.global/industries/infrastructure/) - [Mining](https://observatory.global/industries/mining/) - [Industry](https://observatory.global/industries/industry/) - [Research](https://observatory.global/industries/research/) - [Education](https://observatory.global/industries/education/) - [Health](https://observatory.global/industries/health/) - [Insurance and finance](https://observatory.global/industries/insurance/) - [Events](https://observatory.global/industries/events/) Products - [Field Deployment Studio](https://observatory.global/studio/) - [Station Builder](https://observatory.global/studio/builder/) - [Field services](https://observatory.global/field-services/) - [Data products](https://observatory.global/data-products/) - [APIs and SDKs](https://observatory.global/protocol/developers/) - [Edge runtime and fleet](https://observatory.global/software/) - [Hardware catalogue](https://observatory.global/hardware/) - [Reference designs](https://observatory.global/protocol/reference-designs/) Resources - [Learn](https://observatory.global/learn/) - [Stories](https://observatory.global/stories/) - [Environments](https://observatory.global/environments/) - [Network scenes](https://observatory.global/environments/networks/) - [Observatories atlas](https://observatory.global/observatories/) - [Earth and maps](https://observatory.global/earth/) - [Technologies](https://observatory.global/technologies/) - [Countries](https://observatory.global/countries/) - [Spectrum](https://observatory.global/spectrum/) - [Specification](https://observatory.global/protocol/specification/) - [Conformance](https://observatory.global/protocol/conformance/) - [Open source](https://observatory.global/open/) - [Data credits](https://observatory.global/credits/) Company - [About](https://observatory.global/about/) - [Open governance](https://observatory.global/consortium/) - [Security and trust](https://observatory.global/security/) - [Contact sales](https://observatory.global/contact/) - [Privacy requests](https://observatory.global/privacy-request/) © 2026 Nexus Observatory Inc. [Security and trust](https://observatory.global/security/) [Privacy choices](https://observatory.global/privacy-choices/) [Accessibility](https://observatory.global/legal/accessibility/) [Privacy](https://observatory.global/legal/privacy/) [Terms](https://observatory.global/legal/terms/)