Global risk data sets

The global risk landscape is becoming more complex, uncertain, and fast-moving, making access to risk information more important for decision-making.

The production of high-quality risk information and analysis is a priority for disaster risk reduction practitioners. With advances in computing power, data availability and use of artificial intelligence, UNDRR continues to encourage open access to an expanding range of disaster risk data as a global digital public good. In the context of global cooperation to improve risk data standards, UNDRR continues to promote understanding of how risks develop and accumulate into shocks and disasters, where threats to resilience and sustainability will emerge, and where mitigation and risk reduction strategies need to be put in place.

UNDRR aims to promote better access to global open-source datasets, advancing standards, cooperation among diverse producers and users of risk data, and to build use cases that underscore the importance of closing the digital divide between global generators of risk data and country-level users.

Benefits of the global risk data collection include:

  • Easier discovery, access, use, and sharing of high quality global risk data sources;
  • Better understanding of the value of these global sources and use-cases at multiple scales, e.g., regional, national, sub-national;
  • Optimized use of risk-relevant data to strengthen risk-informed decision-making within a well-known and trusted information environment.

Global risk data collection

The global risk data collection currently comprises more than 100 entries with links to sources and selected metadata which can be used and adapted in national and sub-national risk information systems. The collection will be updated annually. The collection is searchable by Hazard Information Profiles (HIPs), originator of the global risk dataset, and keyword.

Sample of tools: Global risk data in action

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INFORM Subnational Risk
An INFORM Subnational risk index shows a detailed picture of risk and its components within a single region or country. It uses the same methodology and development process as the global INFORM, but is subnational in resolution. Developing an INFORM Subnational model is a locally-led, owned and managed, cost-effective process that is supported by the global INFORM initiative.
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MapX
MapX is an online platform for managing and visualizing geospatial data on natural resources, developed by UNEP/GRID-Geneva. Field applications of MapX are varied and include biodiversity planning, chemicals management, climate change, disaster risk reduction, environmental security, extractive industries, land use planning, and renewable energy, but they are not limited to these topics. MapX is interoperable with dozens of data repositories and platforms. It offers a free access to 2000 public datasets.
A screenshot of the Global Seismic Risk Map
Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation
Making seismic risk information open and accessible, this collaboration between UNDRR PreventionWeb and GEM foundation showcases over 200 comprehensive country and territory seismic risk profiles. Each profile explores social and risk indicators, detailing factors like population density, building types, and historical earthquake impact. Additionally, loss curves depict potential losses based on different earthquake return periods, and maps visualise the geographical distribution of hazard, exposure, and potential losses.

Other global GEM initiatives include OpenQuake Map Viewer - Global Exposure Map, OpenQuake Map Viewer - Global Building Exposure 2023, and the Global Economic Vulnerability Map.

Learn more about Risk

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Breaking the cycle of risk
The planet is a network of interconnected systems, risk is complex. UNDRR wants to break the cycle of disaster > response > recovery > repeat.
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What is Disaster Risk?
Disaster risk is expressed as the likelihood of loss of life, injury or destruction and damage from a disaster in a given period of time.
Disaster losses and statistics
While absolute economic losses are concentrated in high-income countries, the human cost of disasters falls overwhelmingly on low and middle-income countries.

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