GAR 2015 Main Report

Notes

i Depending on the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) and discount rate applied.
ii For more information on the global risk assessment methodology and results, see Annex 1.
iii For more information on the loss databases and extensive risk analysis, see Annex 2.
iv For a summary of all inputs and discussions in the meeting series, see Annex 4.

Preface

Measuring financial resilience

The availability of comparable global disaster risk metrics has enabled initial estimates of the financial resilience of governments. Countries have been stress-tested to see if they would be resilient to a 1-in-100-year disaster loss, and their resource gaps have been estimated. In addition, GAR15 updates the findings originally presented in GAR09 on how disaster losses challenge development over the medium term, particularly in countries with small and vulnerable economies.

A peer-reviewed assessment of progress

Previous editions of the GAR have analysed the results of government self-assessments of progress prepared using the HFA Monitor. The fourth cycle of the HFA Monitor (2013-15) was still in progress when GAR15 was produced, and an insufficient number of progress reports had been completed to enable a global analysis. In GAR15, progress has been reviewed on the basis of a broad, peer-reviewed assessment across the different Priorities for Action specified in the HFA, which complements the results from previous HFA monitoring cycles. The 22 core indicators of the HFA were divided into thirteen research areas, plus an additional four areas identified for elements of the HFA that were not explicitly measured by the core indicators. The progress assessments were coordinated by organizations of the United Nations system, the World Bank, the OECD and other institutions with specific expertise in each sector. Following an open call for papers, more than 200 input papers were received and a peer-reviewed background paper was prepared for each research area.

The future of disaster risk management

In partnership with UNDP and with leading academic institutions in Africa, Asia and the Americas, an innovative seminar programme on The Future of Disaster Risk Management brought together over 100 researchers and practitioners between April 2013 and October 2014. This collective reflection on and identification and construction of the

challenges currently facing disaster risk reduction has informed the objectives and structure of GAR15, especially its findings and recommendations.^iv

How to use GAR15

GAR15 is structured around a set of contributed and commissioned background papers as well as risk and disaster data. For this edition of the GAR, more in-depth research and case studies have been developed than ever before. All this material and data is available on the interactive web version of GAR15 at www.preventionweb.net/gar .

The print version of GAR15 is available in all six UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). The main report includes augmented reality features: enhanced content that provides tablet and smartphone users with access to additional digital information, such as dynamic maps, videos, photos and case studies. The Pocket GAR provides the main evidence and messages of the report in a short and easy-toread format.

The risk and loss data produced for GAR15 is available on a new interactive data platform on PreventionWeb as well as Tangible Earth, the world’s first interactive digital globe, and the GAR for Tangible Earth (GfT), a fully interactive stand-alone application for tablet and smartphone users.

	Notes i Depending on the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) and discount rate applied. ii For more information on the global risk assessment methodology and results, see Annex 1. iii For more information on the loss databases and extensive risk analysis, see Annex 2. iv For a summary of all inputs and discussions in the meeting series, see Annex 4. xx Preface Measuring financial resilience The availability of comparable global disaster risk metrics has enabled initial estimates of the financial resilience of governments. Countries have been stress-tested to see if they would be resilient to a 1-in-100-year disaster loss, and their resource gaps have been estimated. In addition, GAR15 updates the findings originally presented in GAR09 on how disaster losses challenge development over the medium term, particularly in countries with small and vulnerable economies. A peer-reviewed assessment of progress Previous editions of the GAR have analysed the results of government self-assessments of progress prepared using the HFA Monitor. The fourth cycle of the HFA Monitor (2013-15) was still in progress when GAR15 was produced, and an insufficient number of progress reports had been completed to enable a global analysis. In GAR15, progress has been reviewed on the basis of a broad, peer-reviewed assessment across the different Priorities for Action specified in the HFA, which complements the results from previous HFA monitoring cycles. The 22 core indicators of the HFA were divided into thirteen research areas, plus an additional four areas identified for elements of the HFA that were not explicitly measured by the core indicators. The progress assessments were coordinated by organizations of the United Nations system, the World Bank, the OECD and other institutions with specific expertise in each sector. Following an open call for papers, more than 200 input papers were received and a peer-reviewed background paper was prepared for each research area. The future of disaster risk management In partnership with UNDP and with leading academic institutions in Africa, Asia and the Americas, an innovative seminar programme on The Future of Disaster Risk Management brought together over 100 researchers and practitioners between April 2013 and October 2014. This collective reflection on and identification and construction of the challenges currently facing disaster risk reduction has informed the objectives and structure of GAR15, especially its findings and recommendations.^iv How to use GAR15 GAR15 is structured around a set of contributed and commissioned background papers as well as risk and disaster data. For this edition of the GAR, more in-depth research and case studies have been developed than ever before. All this material and data is available on the interactive web version of GAR15 at www.preventionweb.net/gar . The print version of GAR15 is available in all six UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). The main report includes augmented reality features: enhanced content that provides tablet and smartphone users with access to additional digital information, such as dynamic maps, videos, photos and case studies. The Pocket GAR provides the main evidence and messages of the report in a short and easy-toread format. The risk and loss data produced for GAR15 is available on a new interactive data platform on PreventionWeb as well as Tangible Earth, the world’s first interactive digital globe, and the GAR for Tangible Earth (GfT), a fully interactive stand-alone application for tablet and smartphone users.	Page 1 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 ->Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 40 Page 50 Page 60 Page 70 Page 80 Page 90 Page 100 Page 110 Page 120 Page 130 Page 140 Page 150 Page 160 Page 170 Page 180 Page 190 Page 200 Page 210 Page 220 Page 230 Page 240 Page 250 Page 260 Page 270 Page 280 Page 290 Page 300 Page 310