Geographic Analysis and Monitoring Program

Facilitation of Mekong River Activities,
Michael Starbuck, Mid-Continent Mapping Center (Cambodia)

The USGS International Program has been involved in a variety of issues and activities related to the Mekong River. For example, the USGS has been involved with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, helping to develop strategies for mitigation of floods. The USGS has worked with the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme on the Subregional Environmental Monitoring and Information System, which includes development of geographic information systems to assist resource managers in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The USGS has also been asked by the U.S. State Department to become more involved with the Mekong River Commission, which is responsible for monitoring, planning, and database management in the Mekong River region. As a leader in the collection and analysis of earth science data, the USGS can be a major contributor to activities in this rapidly developing part of the world.