EM-DAT, managed by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), is a global database that tracks and documents disasters. Established in 1988, EM-DAT provides reliable and historical data to improve decision-making for disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response efforts. It serves as a critical resource for researchers, policymakers, and humanitarian organizations worldwide.
The database covers a wide array of natural and technological disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, storms, industrial accidents, and public health emergencies like pandemics. With over 26,000 recorded events dating back to 1900, EM-DAT offers comprehensive insights into disaster trends, their impacts on human lives, and economic losses.
1. Extensive Historical Coverage: EM-DAT provides a detailed record of global disasters since 1900. Each entry includes:
2. Wide Range of Disaster Categories: EM-DAT categorizes disasters into:
3. Freely Accessible Data for Non-Commercial Use: EM-DAT is freely accessible to researchers, students, and organizations for non-commercial purposes, ensuring that valuable information is widely available to support disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts.
4. Evidence-Based Decision Support: The database supports:
5. User-Friendly Interface and Reports: EM-DAT offers interactive tools and downloadable reports, enabling users to explore data through charts, maps, and statistical summaries. This visualization helps stakeholders quickly grasp disaster trends and impacts.