2. Highlights of 2019/2020

2-2. Promoting Widespread Use of GLIDE
2-2-1. Objectives
The concept of GLIDE, GLobal unique disaster
IDEntifier, which gives common but unique
numbers to disasters all over the world was first
proposed by ADRC. GLIDE aims to promotesharing disaster information among databases
developed by many different DRR organizations,researchcontributinginstitutions,toandimprovinggovernments,
globaldisasterresilience.

2-2-2. Overview
There are many organizations around the world that design and develop their own disasterdatabases for free access over the Internet. When a disaster occurs, information is distributed
over the Internet not only by organizations in the affected countries but also by organizations
and the mass media in other countries. ADRC, whenever a disaster occurs in any part of theworld, collects information from websites of relevant organizations and news agencies all over
the world, or by sending e-mails to contact persons in the affected area. The “ADRC Latest
Disaster Information” on its website is the result of the ADRC's efforts in collecting information
on disasters.
Based on the experiences, ADRC found some issues in collecting disaster information withabovementioned conventional methods. For example, the need to search many websites of
relevant individual organizations every time a disaster occurs; no standardized naming protocol
for disasters. Different names are given to a certain single disaster by various organizations; andthe website links may be lost when an organization modifies the structure of its database orwebsite.
GLIDE is a solution to these issues. It significantly improves the efficiency of retrieval of
information on historical and on-going disasters from databases and websites.
At the Global Disaster Information Network (GDIN) Conference held in Canberra, Australia
in March 2001, ADRC proposed to develop a standardized code system for managing
information on disasters around the world. This proposal, then, was accepted as a pilot project ofGDIN.
In 2004, glidenumber.net was jointly developed by ADRC and UNOCHA ReliefWeb withtechnical assistance from LaRED in order to issue new GLIDE numbers to disasters
immediately after their occurrence. Moreover, ADRC, CRED, IRI/Columbia University, theUSAID/OFDA, the WMO, IFRC, UNDP, and UNISDR Secretariat (current UNDRR) agreed to77

use the GLIDE number format as the standard format for disaster identification numbers. At
present, JAXA, Joint Research Centre (JRC/EC), etc. are utilized to descriptor disasters.
Once a disaster occurs, an operator of a GLIDE member organization issues a GLIDE numberby inputting disaster information such as location, time, disaster type, initial damage. The issued
GLIDE number appears on GLIDE website as well as is automatically emailed to some 2,000
subscribers.
GLIDE member organizations have different specialties and activity fields. Thus in GLIDE
system, each organization issues GLIDE numbers based on its own criteria. For example,ADRC has its own criteria for issuing new GLIDE numbers. In case of Japan, a new GLIDE
number will be generated for a disaster in which either 5 or more people are killed or 100 or
more people are injured. In case of a disaster occurred in the Asian countries except Japan, anew GLIDE number will be generated for a disaster in which either 10 or more people are killed
or 100 or more people are injured. At present, ADRC, UNOCHA ReliefWeb, IFRC, andJRC/EC are mainly issuing GLIDE numbers. So far, as many as 6,900 GLIDE numbers havebeen issued.

GLIDE number format

Disaster Classification

AA-BBBB-CCCCCC-DDD-EEE
AA: Disaster classification
BBBB: Year of occurrence (4-digitnumeric figure)
CCCCCC: Serial number in one year
DDD: Country code (ISO code)
EEE: Local code
The local code at the end could be
added for the convenience of theuser countries in organizing theirnational databases

Drought
Heat Wave
Cold Wave
Tropical Cyclone
Extoropical Cyclone
TornadoViolent Wind
Severe Local Storm
Flood
Flash Flood
Land Slide
Snow Avalanche
Mud Slide
VolcanoEarthquake
FireTsunami
Storm Surge
Epidemic
Insect Infestation
Wild FireOthers
Complex Emergency
TechnologicalFig 2-2-2-1 GLIDE number format and Disaster Classification

88

DRHTCWTCECTOVWSTFLFF
LSAVMSVO
EQ
FRTS
SS
EPIN
WF
OTCEAC2. Highlights of 2019/2020

Fig 2-2-2-2 GLIDE website(https://glidenumber.net/glide/public/search/search.jsp)

2-2-3. Status
In 2019, GLIDE marked its 15th year of the start of operation. The following activities weremade to further promote GLIDE.
(1) Strengthening GLIDE System
Strengthening GLIDE system, especially its security was among its top priorities. For thispurpose, the server of GLIDE was renewed with a new security measure, which will protect theserver from the attacks and realize more stable service provision. Regular maintenance andtimely review and strengthening of GLIDE system should be considered continuously.
(2) Stakeholders Meeting
When GLIDE system started, stakeholders meetings were organized, usually at the sidelineof international conferences. However, with the lapse of time, persons in charge of GLIDEchanged at several organizations, which made it hard to make coordination among GLIDE
members. Due to changes in the situation about disaster data, ageing of GLIDE system,99

revaluation of GLIDE system, there was increasing need for organizing stakeholders meeting inrecent years. After coordination, GLIDE stakeholders meeting was finally realized.
In order to discuss the current situation and future of GLIDE, ADRC organized a GLIDE
stakeholders meeting on 14 May 2019 at Internal Displacement Management Centre in Geneva,
Switzerland using the opportunities of the sixth session of Global Platform for Disaster RiskReduction. The meeting was attended by 15 persons from 6 organizations which play leadingroles in GLIDE operation and have interests in collaboration with GLIDE.
At the opening of the meeting, ADRC Executive Director, Mr. SUZUKI Koji informed of theobjectives of the meeting and expressed appreciation to participants for their cooperation withthe GLIDE operation and attendance at this meeting.
Then, Prof. Ono, International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku
University, outlined its Global Centre for Disaster Statistics which was under construction,referring to the importance of accurate disaster data and possible collaboration with GLIDE.
Following the speeches, participants exchanged their opinions on a wide range of GLIDE
issues such as the recent situation about disaster database, review of GLIDE management andoperation system, review of disaster classification, setup steering committee, further
collaboration with other organizations and so on.
It was the first time in more than 10 years since GLIDE stakeholders meeting was organized
last time. Although some leading organizations were not able to attend this time, it wasreconfirmed the importance of organizing stakeholder meeting regularly for continuing GLIDE
progress.

Fig. 2-2-3-1 GLIDE Stakeholders Meeting(3) The Way Forward
In order to further promote GLIDE and realize sustainable management, the following threeissues are considered as challenges.

1010

2. Highlights of 2019/2020- Operation
The steering committee and thematic working groups should be established with GLIDE
member organizations for more smooth system management and operation.
- GLIDE Website
Glidenumber.net, the website managing GLIDE numbers has several challenges. It should beupdated to allow smartphone and tablet access for increasing GLIDE application, to improvefunctions, to strengthen security measures. For this, organizational efforts are required.
- Updates of comprehensive service functions
GLIDE has gained increasing expectations such as strengthened network with otherorganizations, and update of registered disaster data. It is required to consult and draw up aroad map among the above-mentioned steering committee members.

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