Mobilizing Earth Science for Impact: How DevGlobal’s NASA Lifelines Team Supported Crisis Response in Goma

NASA Lifelines is a six-year initiative building a global community between Earth scientists and humanitarian experts. Led by international services firm DevGlobal, in partnership with NASA, the program brings together humanitarians, Earth scientists, and policy leaders to unlock the power of satellite data in some of the world’s most complex crises. 

That mission came into sharp focus in early 2025, when escalating violence from the M23 militia displaced thousands in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In Goma, local engineer Dr. Armand Kimanuka, a co-founder of Dussoft Engineering, reached out through the NASA Lifelines network with a critical need. Could Earth observation data help guide civilians to safety? 

Navigating data challenges & building new collaborations 

With deep expertise in community-building and geospatial analysis, DevGlobal’s Lifelines team quickly mobilized its broad network of technical experts, humanitarians, and data providers to respond.  

Working through NASA Lifelines’ Earth Science Review Board, the DevGlobal team coordinated across organizations to secure data. The Review Board is a response mechanism designed to connect Earth science insights to humanitarian needs and crowd-source analytical guidance.

As is often the case in humanitarian geospatial work, data challenges emerged. Persistent cloud cover over Goma made traditional satellite imagery difficult to use. The team explored alternative approaches like Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to monitor displacement and infrastructure damage. While SAR imagery was difficult to access for this specific response, the team leveraged a wide range of open-source datasets. These included OpenStreetMap, GRID3, and IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix to provide situational awareness.

Through NASA Lifelines, DevGlobal engaged partners such as CrisisReady, the Danish Refugee Council, and the Peace Research Institute Oslo. These groups contributed expertise in conflict prediction and AI-driven displacement analytics. Tools like Dataminr’s real-time crisis alerting platform, paired with population modeling guidance from Oregon State University, provided critical situational awareness. 

Beyond data sharing, the response effort emphasized connection and collaboration. DevGlobal facilitated virtual convenings that allowed humanitarian actors and technical experts to problem-solve together. These sessions ensured Earth observation insights reflected real operational conditions on the ground.

On-the-ground leadership & expertise 

Reflecting on the response, Dr. Kimanuka shared his appreciation for the collaboration, saying he was “truly grateful for the solidarity and compassion” shown throughout the effort.  

Dr. Kimanuka is a medical doctor and data analyst who co-founded Dussoft Congo Sarl, a Congolese startup developing digital solutions for humanitarian and development contexts. His team leads AgriSight, a platform using satellite data to combat food insecurity in conflict-affected regions. The project was also selected as a 2025 Ready for Impact finalist. Learn more about his work at Dussoft and join the 2025 RFI Showcase to meet him and other cutting-edge innovators. 

For DevGlobal, this response embodies the purpose of NASA Lifelines: equipping local leaders with the right information at the right time, backed by a global community committed to collaboration and impact.  

Learn more about NASA Lifelines at www.nasalifelines.org.