Annual disaster statistical review 2016: the numbers and trends
The 2016 annual review of disaster figures based on the EM-DAT database outlines information about the EM-DAT International Disaster Database, its definitions, criteria and content; asks: What did 2016 bring? How different was 2016?; and provides regional analysis on Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
It reports that 342 disasters triggered by natural hazards were registered, below the 2006-2015 annual average (376.4). After a peak in disasters in 2015 (395), this decrease could be a sign of, either a return to a declining trend in the annual number of disasters since 2005, or a precursor of a possible stabilization in the annual number of disasters. Last year, the number of deaths caused by natural disasters (8,733) was the second lowest since 2006, largely below the 2006-2015 annual average (69,827). Inversely, the number of people reported affected by natural disasters (564.4 million) was the highest since 2006, amounting to 1.5 times its annual average (224 million). The estimates of natural disaster economic damages (US$ 154 billion) place last year as the fifth costliest since 2006, 12% above the 2006-2015 annual average.
The CRED EM-DAT database aims to provide an evidence base to the international community to assist humanitarian action at both national and international levels, rationalize decision-making for disaster preparedness and provide an objective basis for vulnerability assessment and priority setting.
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