2. Disaster Database
A set of systematically collected records about disaster occurrence,
damages, losses and impacts, compliant with the Sendai Framework
for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 monitoring minimum
requirements.
3. Approach
• Systematically record and manage disaster loss databases.
• Make familiar with the available disaster loss databases.
• Explain the application of databases.
4. Information sources
• Information files created and maintained by OFFICIAL emergency
management agencies.
• Information files created and maintained by OFFICIAL sectorial
institutions, such as: Ministries of Agriculture, Public Works,
Communications and Transport.
• Archives of relief or aid organizations, such as the Red Cross or the Red
Crescent.
• Academic and Scientific files, maintained by research institutions.
(seismological and meteorological research centers)
• Media releases, specifically written media (newspapers).
Source: https://www.desinventar.net/data_sources.html
5. Limitations
• Depending on the capacity of the host government agency, there may be several
limitations (such as further enhancement of the database system, analysis for
various levels, and improvements of the processes and systems needed to maintain
the database, etc.)
• Some countries may not consider sharing the data and its analysis with a wider
group of stakeholders.
• A non-government organization may have limitations in accessing disaster data.
(for both past and future disaster events)
6. Global Database: EM-DAT
EM-DAT DISASTER DEFINITION: “A situation or event which devastates local
capacity, necessitating a request to a national or international level for external
assistance; an unforeseen and often sudden event that causes great damage,
destruction and human suffering.”
• SCOPE GLOBAL
• ACCESS OPEN
7. Global Database: EM-DAT
• In 1988, the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters
(CRED) launched the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT). EM-DAT was
created with the initial support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and
the Belgian Government.
• EM-DAT contains essential core data on the occurrence and effects of
over 22,000 mass disasters in the world from 1900 to the present day. The
database is compiled from various sources, including UN agencies, non-
governmental organizations, insurance companies, research institutes and press
agencies.
8. Objectives
The main objective of the database is to serve the purposes of humanitarian action
at national and international levels. The initiative aims to rationalize decision
making for disaster preparedness, as well as provide an objective base
for vulnerability assessment and priority setting.
9. EM-DAT Criteria
• 10 or more people reported killed.
and/or
• 100 or more people reported affected.
and/or
• Call for international assistance /state of emergency is declared.
10. Sources of Information
Multi source policy, comprising of UN agencies, non-governmental organizations,
insurance companies, research institutes and press agencies.
Priority is given to data from:
1) UN agencies
2) OFDA
3) Governments
4) International Federation (IFRC)
5) Insurance/reinsurance companies
6) Research Institutions
7) Press
11. EM-DAT/INDICATORS*
• Human indicators
• Deaths
• Affected
• Injured
• Homeless
• Total affected
• Economic impact
• Direct economic losses:
• Insured losses and reconstruction cost
* CRED currently working on the harmonization of human and economic indicators (in collaboration with MünichRe ,SwissRe, UNDP, …)
15. EMDAT CREDibility
• Over 30 years experience in data collection and management
• Transparency and automation (data entry and ouput)
• Consistent Methodology, Rules and Definition
• Validation methods and tools.
The result: data is
comparable over time and
space
16. STRENGHTS OF EM-DAT
• Unique free accessible database.
• Acts as a reference point for global analysis of disaster occurrence and impact.
• Unique basis for policy paper on disaster reduction and risks.
• International recognition and CREDibility.
• Capacity to provide methods and guidelines.
17. WEAKNESSES OF EM-DAT
• Global database.
• Limited potential for analysis of disaster occurrence and impact on smaller, intra-
country spatial scale.
• Public usage of EM-DAT may lead to inappropriate use.
18. SIGMA explorer
• This is a global natural and man-made disaster database. Events are recorded from
1970 to the present. In the data-base disasters are recorded on an event entry basis
and collected information includes dead, missing, injured, and homeless along
with detailed accounting of insured and uninsured damages.
• SCOPE GLOBAL
• ACCESS OPEN
19. SIGMA Criteria
• International commercial database recording both natural and man-made disasters
• Global scale
• Over 10,000 entries
• Recording started in 1970
• Event-based
• Disasters are now geocoded at national (or state/province) level for GIS purposes
28. NATCAT
Many decades of acquired experience in researching, documenting, analyzing and
evaluation of natural catastrophes have made the NatCatSERVICE one of the most
valued data sources for information on natural loss events worldwide. This unique
archive provides comprehensive, reliable and professional data on insured,
economic and human losses caused by any kind of natural peril.
Relevant natural loss events worldwide 1980 – onwards
