The United States, through USAID and NASA, announced today the expansion of its satellite data and geospatial technologies initiative with the launch of a new SERVIR Central America(link is external) hub. Working with Congress, USAID will ensure the initial investment of $6.6 million will support the hub's goal to provide innovative solutions to the region's most pressing environmental challenges through the integration of Earth observations and geospatial technologies.

SERVIR Central America will support evidence-based decision-making at local, national, and regional levels, strengthening the resilience of more than 40 million people in one of the world's most climate-vulnerable regions. The new hub will work with institutions, governments, and communities to address ongoing environmental and socioeconomic challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and coastal ecosystem degradation. The hub will also support resilience to increasingly frequent climate shocks like hurricanes, flooding, and droughts.

Additionally, SERVIR Central America aims to promote opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), supporting the use of geospatial technology among young people and other groups with limited access to these tools.

Central America is the latest addition to SERVIR'(link is external)s global network, an initiative that has been operating in Asia, Africa, and Latin America since 2005. SERVIR Central America will be implemented in partnership with The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE).