Annual disaster statistical review 2014: the numbers and trends
The 2014 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 2014 bring? How different was 2014?; and provides regional analysis on Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. It reports that 324 natural hazard related disasters killed more than 7,823 people worldwide, affected over 140.8 million others and caused US$ 99.2 billion of damages. It notes that Asia accounted in 2014 for almost 70% of worldwide reported disaster victims and also reported most damages (64.6%). 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.