1) The document discusses losses from natural disasters as reported by different organizations, noting large variations in reported losses depending on the source.
2) It examines the concept of indirect losses from disasters, providing examples where indirect costs far exceeded direct property losses.
3) The document shows that disaster loss reporting is biased, with higher income countries reporting a greater percentage of losses.
4) Data on disaster losses can help policymakers understand total costs and how losses have trended over time as a share of GDP for different disaster types.
3. Loss reporting differences by source
Earthquake-Tsunami, Japan (Fukushima)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
OCHA AFP USGS World
Bank
Munich Re Aon Swiss Re
Billions
Economic damages (US$2011)
4. Flood in Thailand (2011)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Cat-i Aon Munich Re Swiss Re
Billions
Economic damages (US$2011)
6. Indirect Losses
Kobe - 17 January 1995
Northridge earthquake, USA,
1994
Hurricane Mitch, Nicaragua,
1998
Private property losses – 50b;
economic dislocation and
business interruption - 50b;
restore basic functions - 100b
Unprecedented business
interruption losses—$6.5 b
Losses of rent (estimation
based on rent for inhabitant to
move into a new houses)
8. Figure 15: Reporting bias: % of disasters reporting losses, colour coded by
income category (cf. Annex 1), Asian ADB countries, 1980-2012
0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00 70.00 80.00
Hong Kong (China)
Taipei (China)
Malaysia
Turkmenistan
China, P. Rep.
Philippines
Uzbekistan
Pakistan
India
Georgia
Viet Nam
Afghanistan
Nepal
Tajikistan
Cambodia