Risk Analysis

This report presents the main functionalities of the DRMKC Risk Data Hub (henceforth RDH) web portal. It is meant to provide users with concise guidance on how to use the tools offered by the platform. Firstly, the paper showcases the main features of the Risk Analysis module and of the Disaster Loss Data module. Furthermore, it covers the methodologies behind the risk estimation – exploring its main components - and behind the calculation of losses – providing insights onto the classification of fatalities and economic cost. Secondly, it recounts the detailed procedure to upload data into the RDH.

The Risk Data Hub (RDH) is a GIS web application developed by the Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre). It hosts, curates and disseminates data, tools and methodologies for Disaster Risk Management (DRM). Among its key functionalities, it offers an open-source methodology for risk assessment as well as an authoritative loss and damage database that can provide indication of what has been lost at European level because of disaster events in Europe. To reflect the different needs of users, as well as to embody each of the RDH goals, the platform is now composed of six main modules.

This report is centered on the User Corner: it serves as a solution for accessing, storing and managing disaster risk data.

The external user, once granted access rights can upload and manage its own disaster risk data including hazard, exposure data or disaster loss and damage data. This data portal is conceived as an container to be populated according to the data structure of DRMKC RDH portal with its two main components:

the Risk Analysis and the Disaster Loss data Modules. For the external users (e.g. projects consortia, national, local and European institutions or authorities or any other user) the DRMKC RDH is offering the possibility of storing,

curating and sharing disaster risk data with various levels of accessibility and data governance at various geographical scales. This report presents the steps needed and assistance to manage and upload data through the User Corner of the DRMKC RDH.

The management of disaster risks of different kinds (manmade, natural) is ruled at European level by a number of policies covering various sectors (e.g. environmental, industrial, civil protection, security, health), scales (EU wide, regional, national) and operational actions (preparedness, prevention, response and recovery). A range of research and technological developments, are motivated to support the implementation of these policies and actions across various scales reaching local level. However, the effectiveness of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) depends greatly on the efficiency of managing relevant information. Complex forms of decision-making needs technological support for achieving DRM objective of reducing risk. Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre (DRMKC) is currently developing a web-based geographical information system (WebGIS) aiming to support the implementation of international actions for DRM from global or regional level to local-national level. With this study, we present the DRMKC Risk Data Hub, a tool that improves the access and share of curated EU-wide disaster risk information relevant for DRM related actions. We also identify the key characteristics of a WebGiS platform needed to address in the most efficient way aspects of disaster risk management. Risk Data Hub acts as a knowledge hub, links policy and practice through geospatial technology and mapping, combines top-down strategies with bottom-up methodological approaches and sets the bases for science-based information for DRM polices. Currently, Risk Data Hub structures the information into three modules that covers the Exposure Analysis – as one of the main drivers of risk, Historic Events – as an EU-wide loss and damage database and Risk Analysis module - as collection of good or existing practices.