EMDAT

A database of major accidents/disasters was created in 1988 through a collaboration between the WHO (World Health Organization) and the Belgian Government. The database [L46] was developed and is maintained by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) [L45]. Its purpose is primarily to provide international bodies and aid organisations a basis for planning and dimensioning their activities. However, the database also provides information on how the frequency of natural disasters has changed since the beginning of the 20th century. Access to the database is obtained by submitting an application stating the purpose of using the database.

The following figure shows how many natural disasters that may have been due to global warming (floods, storms and droughts) have been reported to the database during the period 1945 to 2019:

Latest update: 2021-07-21