Disaster risk reduction: Why do we need accurate disaster mortality data to strengthen policy and practice?
Disaster Prevention and Management
ISSN: 0965-3562
Article publication date: 9 October 2019
Issue publication date: 11 November 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 calls for a reduction in disaster mortality, yet measuring mortality remains a challenge due to varying definitions of disaster mortality, the quality, availability and diversity of data sources, generating mortality estimates, and how mortality data are interpreted.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses five case studies to provide details around some of the complexities involved with measuring disaster mortality and to demonstrate the clear need for accurate disaster mortality data.
Findings
The findings highlight the benefits of combining multiple data sources for accurate mortality estimates, access to interoperable and readily available global, national, regional and local data sets, and creating standardized definitions for direct and indirect mortality for easier attribution of causes of death.
Originality/value
Countries should find a method of measuring mortality that works for them and their resources, and for the hazards they face. Combining accurate mortality data and estimates and leadership at all levels can inform policy and actions to reduce disaster mortality, and ultimately strengthen disaster risk reduction in countries for all citizens.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Dr Bapon Fakhruddin for his input on the content of the paper. A Swedish Research Council Grant (No. 2016-05678) supports a research and education collaboration between Karolinska Institutet and the National Institute of Public Health Cambodia.
Citation
Saulnier, D.D., Green, H.K., Ismail, R., Chhorvann, C., Bin Mohamed, N., Waite, T.D. and Murray, V. (2019), "Disaster risk reduction: Why do we need accurate disaster mortality data to strengthen policy and practice?", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 28 No. 6, pp. 846-861. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-09-2019-0296
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited