The core data sets of the publication Natural Disaster Hotspots – A Global Risk Analysis, which represents a joint effort between Columbia University and the World Bank under the umbrella of the ProVention Consortium, are available for free downloading at http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/chrr/research/hotspots/coredata.html. The data zip archive includes an ASCII text file of the raster data set (*.asc), detailed metadata (*.html), and projection information (*.prj). Where applicable, a dBase table (*.dbf) is also included and should be joined to the raster data using the VALUE item. For instructions on how to import data into specific GIS platforms, consult your software documentation. In addition to this dataset, the World Health Organization collaborating Centre for Research on the Epidemology of Disasters (CRED) of the Université de Louvain, Brussels, has been maintaining an Emergency Events Database - EM-DAT since 1988. The US Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and CRED International Disaster Database makes available a specialized, validated database on disasters in order to facilitate disaster preparedness. It is an initiative aimed to rationalize decision making for disaster preparedness, as well as providing an objective base for vulnerability assessment and priority setting. The German Committee for Disaster Reduction also administers an on-line database, "International Projects and Concepts for Disaster Prevention", which includes information on approximately 250 disaster prevention projects worldwide. The integrated search function enables users to query the database for: the project name, the implementing organisation, project financing, the geographical location, the type of project, and the type of hazard. A combined query is also possible. This online resource can be accessed at:http://database-dkkv.dyndns.org The Megacities Sound Practice Knowledge Base developed by EMI and its partner PDC, is a collection of about 40 sound practices from 7 cities as well as a library and a reference source for Megacities DRM. A city profile has been developed for each of the citys that provides general information about the city, its exposure to hazards, an understanding of its risk, and explanation of its DRM organization. The information has been collected on a standardized format developed by 3cd Program (http://www.emi-megacities.org/) research team and carefully reviewed and synthesized for consistency and accuracy. The Knowledge Base has a search engine that enables users to select among topics (e.g., institutitional arrangements, educational, etc.) and geographical regions or cities. It can be accessed at: www.pdc.org/emi.
International Recovery Platform Capacity Building Database - This site provides a list of institutions working in the field of disaster management with a specific focus on training and capacity building for disaster risk reduction.Launched by the International Labour Organization (ILO), this initiative is a contribution to the International Recovery Platform (IRP) which identifies post-disaster recovery as one of the key opportunities to reduce disaster risk and whose role is to set up a coordination framework for key international agencies involved in relief and post-disaster recovery operations. According to the disaster risk reduction agenda set up by the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015, Capacity Building (CB) is a cross-cutting issue: expertise and resources are available worldwide, however due to information overload and lack of effective harmonization amongst actors, the use of these resources is not optimized. |
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