Multi-hazard early warning system - Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

This report presents the updates and describes the Multi-Hazard and Early Warning System component (MHEWS) of the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS). This report focusses on the methodology underpinning the GDACS score employed across the seven hazards covered by the MHEWS.

GDACS events are produced automatically or semi-automatically for each hazard independently, using dedicated algorithms and the data available, with expert supervision. Every event on GDACS features a score and colour, based on the estimated risk that the given event poses to the exposed population and affected area. The following risk components are considered: 

1. The intensity of the physical hazard, such as wind speed, earthquake magnitude, wildfire extent, etc.;
2. The exposure to this hazard in terms of the population and infrastructure potentially affected by it;
3. The vulnerability of the potentially affected countries or subnational units (when available), estimated with socio-economic variables