Humanitarians in the sky?

Hello,

I recently read a very interesting article about using UAVs (unmanner aerial vehicles, a.k.a. drones) for disaster response. I am reposting a link to it here. It argues that while satellite imagery has played an important role in relief operations for more than 15 years, it has a number of limitations that nowadays could be easily overcome by more innovative solutions such as UAVs. The article details several interesting examples of successful use of UAVs in disaster response, but the key question it raises is that of regulation. While several international organisations (e.g. UN OCHA, IOM, ICRC) have already used and/or endorsed the use of UAVs in disaster response and relief operations, the use of UAVs continues to be a controversial issue due to concerns regarding UAVs risk and regulation, as well as lack of clarity of applicable legislation. 

What do you think? Is the humanitarian context different from other contexts of application of UAVs, such as precision agriculture or film making? Can we allow over-regulation to stand in the way of humanitarian principles? 

Please share your thoughts!