Disaster damage and loss data systems: Review of international practice

This report reviews international practices for disaster damage and loss data systems, emphasizing their importance for evidence-based disaster risk management. The World Bank and Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery conducted desk research and stakeholder consultations across sixteen countries, with in-depth interviews in the United States, Canada, Australia, Norway, Austria, and Germany. The analysis included six international guidelines from the European Union Joint Research Centre, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, and United Nations Development Programme, focusing on system design, governance, and use of damage and loss data. 

Key findings indicate that effective disaster data systems require a clearly defined purpose aligned with user needs, robust institutional mandates, and sustainable financing. Systems must be developed and operated as coordinated data value chains, spanning collection, validation, integration, analysis, and use in decision-making. Recommendations emphasize investing in both technological innovation and human/institutional capacities, following international frameworks, and customizing approaches to local contexts. The authors highlight the importance of standardizing data protocols, establishing centralized platforms for data sharing, and fostering collaboration across stakeholders. Integrating emerging technologies, accompanied by governance frameworks and human oversight, can enhance speed, accuracy, and reliability of disaster data systems while supporting evidence-based planning and resilience building.