Annual disaster statistical review 2011: the numbers and trends

The 2011 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 2011 bring? How different was 2011?; presents 'economic impacts related to disasters in developed countries'; and provides regional analysis on Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

It reports that 332 natural hazard related disasters killed more than 30,770 people worldwide, affected over 244.7 million others and caused US$ 366.1 billion of damages. A total of 101 countries were hit by these disasters, though only 5 countries accounted for 31% of the 332 disasters. It notes that 2011 was also the most expensive year ever in terms of economic damages caused by natural disasters.

The CRED EM-DAT database aims to provide an evidence base to the international community to: (i) assist humanitarian action at both national and international levels; (ii) rationalize decision-making for disaster preparedness; and (iii) provide an objective basis for vulnerability assessment and priority setting.