2. Inforamation Collection and Offer

2-6.

Framework of Natural Disaster Databases

One of the very important means for the establishment of effective countermeasures for future naturaldisasters is information on previous disasters, including what measures were taken for what scale ofnatural disasters, how effective or ineffective they were, and what lessons were learned from theexperiences. A comprehensive database on natural disasters that have occurred in Asia in this century
will provide a valuable asset for the next century.
At present, several organizations have their own statistical databases on natural disasters that haveoccurred in this century. Natcat, a Munich reinsurer, has accumulated information on more than 20,000
disasters dating back as far as to 79 A.D., Sigma, a Swiss reinsurer, has a database containing
information on more than 7,000 disasters which have occurred since 1970, and EM-DAT of the CRED(Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, Universite Catholique de Louvain) in Belgium
has information on more than 15,700 disasters dating back to 1900. In addition, disaster information isdisseminated over the Internet by various organizations, including the UN OCHA that provides
Situation Reports on major disasters experienced after 1980.
At the ADRC International Meeting (annual meeting of member counties) in December 1999, theADRC stressed the importance of making good use of these existing databases, as well as theimportance of constructing a comprehensive database of natural disasters in the 20th century, which islinked up with the existing databases. To promote such information networking globally, the ADRC
became a member of GDIN (Global Disaster Information Network) in April 2000, and proposed the useof a global disaster ID system at the GDIN conference, Canberra, in March 2001. The disaster ID
system proposed by the ADRC was launched as a pilot project in 2001. Since 2002, the ADRC has beenencouraging various activities for more effective sharing of disaster information as an ISDRInter-Agency Task Force member. In 2003, the ADRC co-organized a GLIDE technical meeting with
the UN/ISDR and RelifWeb. The intentions of the meeting were well received by many
international/regional organizations. And since May 2004 GLIDEnumber.net (http://glidenumber.net/)
has been up and generating GLIDE numbers online.

2-6-1.

Current Situation of Disaster Information Sharing

Many organizations collect and analyze disaster information relevant only to their own priority
themes, and provide some of the results through media including the Internet. Many of theseorganizations link their websites to relevant organizations for information sharing.
Among such organizations, the UN OCHA has already started to provide highly reliable disaster
information. The UN OCHA has set up ReliefWeb on the Internet to provide disaster informationcollected from all over the world. ReliefWeb contains detailed Situation Reports and other referenceson disasters experienced after 1980. These resources are available on document basis. Thus, the siteallows access to the synopses of disasters that have occurred during the past 20 years, and those ofcountermeasures taken in response.
The UN OCHA opened its Kobe Office in August 2001, and has been providing disaster information
on a 24/7 basis from three cities, Kobe, Geneva and New York.
The CRED in Brussels, Belgium, provides statistical data mainly of natural and technologicaldisasters that have occurred with more than 10 deaths since 1900 over the Internet.
In addition, LaRED based in Latin America collects and provides information on small- to
medium-scale natural disasters that are neither covered by ReliefWeb nor the CRED.
In addition to the organizations above, universities and institutes around the world have information
on disasters that have occurred in their respective areas, and information related to their fields ofinterests, and give out some of their data over the Internet.
As for some disasters in the past, typically floods or droughts, however, it is often difficult todetermine the exact time of occurrence. Recorded dates of disasters may vary depending on databases.
Also, it frequently happens that a disaster is classified and named differently from source to source.
These factors make it difficult to identify one disaster record available from one source with those fromanother, especially when the disaster happened in a distant past.
As for disasters that have occurred in Japan, comprehensive detailed references are available
including the “Chronological Scientific Tables” and “Meteorological Yearbook”. A list of majordisasters in Japan registered on the “Disaster Prevention White Paper” is available on the Internet for
download. The Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution of Hyogo Prefecture launched acomprehensive disaster database using the GLIDE system, a global disaster ID system to be explained

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2. Inforamation Collection and Offerin Section 2-6-3, to facilitate information sharing. The GLIDE system is also used by the national
Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) for its "Digital Typhoon Project"site and database on typhoons that have occurred in the recent 50 years.

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2-6-2. Data Book on Asia Natural Disaster 2006
Natural disasters can have serious impact on social life in general and in particular on economic
development. As revealed by the statistics over the past 100 years, Asia is more prone to natural
disasters than any other region of the world, and accounts for more than 90% of the world's entire
affected population and 50% of both the world's total death toll and economic losses. Therefore, it isvery important to analyze individual disaster events in the past while examining their generaltendencies over the years from the perspective of development mechanism. Based on its agreementwith the Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), Catholic University ofLouvain, the ADRC has been analyzing the data of the EM-DAT of the CRED.
In July 2000, the ADRC published the Data Book on Asian Natural Disasters in the 20th Century,
which incorporates the member country data accumulated on the EM-DAT into tables, and diverse
statistics and analyses. In August 2002, its revised edition, Data Book on Asia Natural Disasters in the20th Century Vol.2, was also published.
In addition, every year the ADRC published reports titled Natural Disasters Data Book in March,
the follwing year. The ADRC published “Natural Data Book 2006” in March 2007. Through these databooks, the ADRC provides helpful information to policy-makers, academicians, as well as
grassroot-level activists involved in community disaster prevention activities.

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2. Inforamation Collection and Offer

2-6-3. Current Situation of “GLIDE”
2-6-3-1 Disaster information sharing based on GLobal unique
disaster IDEntifier (GLIDE) number
There are many organizations that design anddevelop their own disaster databases for freeaccess over the Internet. When a disaster occurs,
information is distributed over the Internet not
only by organizations in the affected country but
also by organizations and the mass media in othercountries. When a disaster occurs in any part of
the world, the ADRC collects information fromwebsites of relevant organizations and news
agencies all over the world, or by sending e-mailto the contact person in the affected area. The“ADRC Latest Disaster Information” page on
its website is the results of the ADRC's efforts in
information collection.
The problems with the conventional information collection include:(1) It is necessary to search the Internet for websites of relevant individual organizations every
time a disaster occurs.
(2) There is no standardized naming protocol for disasters. With different organization namingsame disasters differently, even search engines such as Google or Yahoo sometimes return
no hits.
(3) Website links may be lost when the structure of the database or homepage of an organization
is modified.
The GLobal unique disaster IDEntifier (GLIDE) number system will be a solution to these problems.
The GLIDE system will significantly improve the efficiency of retrieval of information on past andon-going disasters from databases and the Web.
At the Global Disaster Information Network (GDIN) Conference held in Canberra, Australia inMarch 2001, the ADRC proposed to develop a standardized code system for managing information ondisasters around the world. This proposal was accepted and launched as a pilot project.
In 2004, GLIDEnumber.net, which the ADRC and the OCHA ReliefWeb jointly developed withtechnical assistance from LaRED, has become operational to issue GLIDE numbers to disasters
immediately after their occurrences. Moreover, the ADRC, jointly with the CRED, IRI/Columbia
University, the USAID/OFDA, the WMO, the IFRC, the UNDP, and the ISDR Secretariat, agreed touse the GLIDE number format as the standard format for disaster identification numbers.
The GLIDE number format was revised in 2004 as follows:
AA-BBBB-CCCCCC-DDD-EEE
AA: Disaster classification
Drought
Heat Wave
Cold Wave
Tropical Cyclone
Extratropical Cyclone
TornadoViolent Wind
Severe Local Storm
Flood
Flash Flood
Land Slide
Snow Avalanche
Mud Slide
VolcanoEarthquake

４７DR
HW
CW
TC
EC
TO
VW
STFLFF
LS
AVMS
VO
EQ

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Fire
TsunamiStorm Surge
Epidemic
Insect Infestation
Wild Fire
OthersComplex Emergency
TechnologicalFRTSSS
EP
IN
WF
OTCE
ACBBBB: Year of occurrence (4-digit numeric figure)
CCCCCC: Serial number by year
DDD: Country code (ISO code. e.g., JPN for Japan)
EEE: Region code (e.g., 013 for Tokyo)
The region code at the end was added for the convenience of the user countries in organizing theirnational databases. The region code is not included in GLIDE numbers actually circulated.
The pilot phase of the GLIDE system started in January 2002. The GLIDE generation andnotification procedure is as follows:(1) Upon the occurrence of a disaster, ReliefWeb generates a new GLIDE number and notifies
the CRED via e-mail.
(2) For disasters other than ones generated in (1) above, the CRED generates GLIDE numbers
within one week from the dates of their occurrences.
(3) The CRED informs the ADRC and other related organizations of the GLIDE numbers
generated in (1) and (2) above on a weekly basis via e-mail.
(4) The ADRC dispatches the GLIDE numbers to individual organizations throughthe“ADRC Highlights” communication channel.
This procedure was temporary and was replaced by GLIDEnumber.net for full automation of theentire process, from GLIDE number issuance to notification, in May 2004.
A new GLIDE number is entered into the current version of database in the following three steps:(1) Add a GLIDE column to the database table on the screen.
(2) Refer to data on past disasters at http://www.cred.be/emdat/disdat1.htm.
(3) Search for the name and GLIDE number of the disaster registered. Enter the appropriate
number into the column created in step 1 above.
Then, the GLIDE number is used as the key to retrieve the necessary data from the database:(4) Use the GLIDE number as the key to create a program for retrieving and displaying thenecessary data from the database.
An organization that already allows open access to its databases has only to make minor adjustments
to the existing program, and can add quick access links for visitors to jump to other sites containing
relevant information. To add such a link, use the following method:(5) Create a button that contains a URL link to a relevant organization's site and the relevant
GLIDE number in it.
(6) Apply to GLIDEnumber.net for the registration of your database.
Now the organization has its database connected to other databases all over the world via the GLIDEsystem.
In order to promote a wider use of the GLIDE system, the ADRC and the OCHA ReliefWeb havedeveloped and started operating GLIDEnumber.net (http://glidenumber.net/). The GLIDEnumber.net
provides services and functions such as explanation of the GLIDE system, search of the latest disaster
information, and registration to the GLIDE mailing list, registration for GLIDE membership, andgeneration of new GLIDE numbers. The ADRC expects GLIDEnumber.net to help a wider use of theGLIDE system among member countries and disaster-related organizations. Databases connected via４８2. Inforamation Collection and Offerthe GLIDE system will provide the following advantages:--2-6-3-2

A parameterized search function allows easy association between pieces of disaster
information archived by various organizations.
A search engine, developed with the focus placed on parameters particularly important for userorganizations, allows a one-stop search and display of all the necessary data, eliminating theneed of repeating search for data possessed separately by individual organizations (Note,however, the problem described in the following section).
Thus, direct reference to the GLIDE numbers allows individual organizations to modify their
database designs without preventing users from viewing the same data as the original one.
Another benefit is the ease of changing the search method on the viewer's side.

Challenges in implementing the system

There are some challenges that must be overcome to ensure efficient operation of this system:- The basic premise for the use of the GLIDE system for retrieval of data on a past disaster isthat the disaster needs to have been registered in the GLIDE database. However, not every
single disaster in the past has its own GLIDE number yet.
- A GLIDE member organization has to do extra preparatory works, such as incorporation of
GLIDE numbers to its own open database(s) to accept inbound access requests via the GLIDEsystem.
- When direct search into an organization's database for content data is impossible because of
the server's structure or for security reasons, an additional database will be necessary toincorporate ID codes into the organization metadata (storage location information).
As for the above problems, ADRC agreed with CRED to adopt CRED disaster number foreach GLIDEnumber. ADRC is going to make an effort to solve these other challenges.

2-6-3-3Further promotion of GLIDE

In order to further promote disaster information sharing, it is necessary to enhance GLIDEnumber.net
for easier and faster registration and search of GLIDE numbers, and to increase partners for full-scale
operation of the GLIDE system.
a) The ADRC will use the UN/ISDR framework and host GLIDE partner conferences in order todiscuss these issues in depth, to provide solutions to the tasks lying ahead, and to promote a wider
use of the GLIDE system.
In 2007, PDC (Pacific Disater Center), UNESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee, Dartmouth
Univeristy (U.S.A), South Carlorina University (U.S.A.), NDCC (the Phillippines) jointed the GLIDE
partnership.
The current partnership situation is described in the below table.

GLIDE
numberdesignation& utilization
on database /disaster Web
site

Name of organization
Asia Disaster Reduction Center(ADRC)OCHA ReliefWeb (Office for theCoordination of Humanitarian
Affairs, ReliefWeb)
LaRED
IFRC (International Federation ofRed Cross and Red CrescentSocieties)
JRC/GDACS（EU）
Caribbean Disaster Emergency
Response Agency (CDERA)
OCD, NDCC (Phillipins)

Utilization
on disaster
information
Web site ordatabase

UN Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO)
Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency (JAXA)

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Status of GLIDE utilization
Uses to report latest disasters, interlocked withReliefWeb.
Designates GLIDE number and makes linking via
GLIDE number.
A disaster database in Latin America. Designates
GLIDE number to their own database.
Issues GLIDE number when transmitting disaster
information in the activities of Red Cross.
Disaster information Web site in EU
Utilizes GLIDE number in the disaster databasesof Caribbean countries.
Designated GLIDE number to disaster data in thepast 35 years in a joint project with ADRC andpublicizing them on the Web.
Implements linking with FAO’s Mapping Systemof agricultural disasters through GLIDE.
Scheduled to present the satellite information bylinking with the latest disaster information ofADRC.

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Dartmouth Flood Observatory(Dartmouth University, USA)UNOSAT
Benfield (UK)

GLIDE
supportinginternationalorganizations

SHELUDUS (South CarolinaUniversity, USA)PDC (Pacific Disaster Center)
National Research Institute of Earth
Science & Disaster Prevention(NIED)
United Nations Development
Programs (UNDP), International
Strategy for Disaster Reduction(ISDR), CRED, WMO

Designates GLIDE number to the data of floods
recorded over the world.
Utilizes GLIDE number in the presentation ofsatellite image information.
Research agency of a reinsurance company in UK.
Utilizes GLIDE number at the Web site ofdisasters (inTERRAgate).
Designates GLIDE number to the disaster data inUSA. GLIDE can be used as a key for search.
Designates GLIDE to the disaster Web site.
Links to the disaster information database via
GLIDE number.
Propagation and promotion of GLIDE aresupported by these UN organizations.

UNDP have accepted GLIDE as a core database tool in the project called as .GRIP (Global Risk
Identification Program) and ADRC started the GLIDE promotion project as one of the important programof GRIP.
ADRC implemented the cooperative project in the Philippines and Mongolia,
named as “Development of web-based GLIDE associated database” as a pilot project of GLIDE promotion.
(please see http://www.calamidat.ph)Further GLIDE promotion will be made through ASEAN-GLIDE database project, which will start
very soon.
b) GLIDE promotion in UNESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee
UNESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee accepted GLIDE as an effective and efficient tool fordisaster related information sharing and decided to promote the GLIDE for disaster rsik reduction in
ASEAN region, at the High- Level Workshop, held in Macao during 13-14 February 2008.
Specifically, GLIDE has been used as ID number at the disaster database, named as TCDIS(Typhoon Committee Disater Information System; http://www.tcdis.org/ ) which is organized and operated
by the Working Group on Disater Prevention and Preparedness (WDPP), Typhoon Committee and also
GLIDE has been used a guideline for promoting disaster database in TCDIS at each TC member country.

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