EM-DAT is a global database on natural and technological disasters, containing essential core data on the occurrence and effects of more than 21,000 disasters in the world, from 1900 to present. EM-DAT is maintained by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) at the School of Public Health of the Université catholique de Louvain located in Brussels, Belgium.
The database is made up of information from various sources, including UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, insurance companies, research institutes, and press agencies. Priority is given to data from UN agencies, governments, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This prioritization is not only a reflection of the quality or value of the data, it also reflects the fact that most reporting sources do not cover all disasters or have political limitations that could affect the figures. The entries are constantly reviewed for inconsistencies, redundancy, and incompleteness. CRED consolidates and updates data on a daily basis. A further check is made at monthly intervals, and revisions are made at the end of each calendar year.
EM-DAT distinguishes between two generic categories for disasters: natural and technological. The natural disaster category is divided into 5 sub-groups - geophysical (e.g., earthquakes), meteorological (e.g., extreme temperature), hydrological (e.g., flood), climatological (e.g., drought), biological (e.g., epidemic), and extraterrestrial (e.g., asteroids). The 5 sub-groups in turn cover 15 disaster types and more than 30 sub-types. The technological disaster category is divided into 3 sub-groups - industrial, transport, and miscelleanous accidents, - which in turn cover 15 disaster types.
For a disaster to be entered into the database at least one of the following criteria must be fulfilled:
a) Ten (10) or more people reported killed;
b) Hundred (100) or more people reported affected;
c) Declaration of a state of emergency;
d) Call for international assistance.
Last updated by source: 2021-05-27
| Dataset type: | Time-Series |
| Dataset level: | Country |
(Guha-Sapir, 2020)
The amount of damage to property, crops, and livestock from natural disasters. The value of estimated damage is given in thousands of US dollars. For each natural disaster, the registered number corresponds to the damage value at the moment of the event, i.e. the figures are shown true to the year of the event (do not include expenses that extended to the following years).
More about this variableThe number of people requiring immediate assistance during a period of emergency after a natural disasters, i.e. requiring basic survival needs such as food, water, shelter, sanitation, and immediate medical assistance.
More about this variableThe number of people who lost their lives because the natural hazard happened and people whose whereabouts since the natural disaster is unknown, and who are presumed dead (official figure when available).
More about this variableTotal number of natural disasters occurring per country per year. Natural disasters that last more than one year or begin at the end of the year and last into the next are counted at the year of their first occurrence.
More about this variableThe number of people whose house is destroyed or heavily damaged and therefore need shelter after a natural disaster.
More about this variableThe number of people suffering from physical injuries, trauma or an illness requiring immediate medical assistance as a direct result of a natural disaster.
More about this variableSum of people injured, homeless, and affected as a result of natural disasters.
More about this variable