National Disaster Risk Reduction Research Articles

Application of fuzzy analytical hierarchy process for assessment of desertification sensitive areas in North West of Morocco

An updated assessment of land sensitivity to desertification is essential for comprehensive planning and preparation of action plans. In this study, modified Mediterranean desertification and land use (MEDALUS) method by employing a fuzzy inference system in a GIS environment was used to identify environmentally sensitive areas (ESA) to desertification in the Drader basin in Morocco. Anthropogenic and Biophysical parameters (17 parameters) have been integrated and processed by geographic information systems obtaining climate, water, soil, vegetation and land management quality indexes. The weights for indicators and parameters involved in land desertification were calculated by using analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Then, a fuzzy inference system was employed to create a map for each indexes and ESA map for the study area. The results showed that, fragile and critical areas represent 58% and 2% respectively, while about 21% of the area belongs to the potential areas. The critical areas are primarily characterized by low degree of plant cover, low erosion resistance and low management quality. However, the results revealed that Integrating MCDM-GIS and fuzzy logic in MEDALUS has improved the ability to classify the sensitive areas to desertification at regional scale. The ESA maps have potential as decision tools to prepare and respond to ESAs and causes of land degradation, as such contributing to national climate action and disaster risk reduction sustainable development goals (goals 13 and 15, respectively).

Using Social Media to Mine and Analyze Public Sentiment during a Disaster: A Case Study of the 2018 Shouguang City Flood in China

Social media has been applied to all natural disaster risk-reduction phases, including pre-warning, response, and recovery. However, using it to accurately acquire and reveal public sentiment during a disaster still presents a significant challenge. To explore public sentiment in depth during a disaster, this study analyzed Sina-Weibo (Weibo) texts in terms of space, time, and content related to the 2018 Shouguang flood, which caused casualties and economic losses, arousing widespread public concern in China. The temporal changes within six-hour intervals and spatial distribution on sub-district and city levels of flood-related Weibo were analyzed. Based on the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model and the Random Forest (RF) algorithm, a topic extraction and classification model was built to hierarchically identify six flood-relevant topics and nine types of public sentiment responses in Weibo texts. The majority of Weibo texts about the Shouguang flood were related to “public sentiment”, among which “questioning the government and media” was the most commonly expressed. The Weibo text numbers varied over time for different topics and sentiments that corresponded to the different developmental stages of the flood. On a sub-district level, the spatial distribution of flood-relevant Weibo was mainly concentrated in high population areas in the south-central and eastern parts of Shouguang, near the river and the downtown area. At the city level, the Weibo texts were mainly distributed in Beijing and cities in the Shandong Province, centering in Weifang City. The results indicated that the classification model developed in this study was accurate and viable for analyzing social media texts during a disaster. The findings can be used to help researchers, public servants, and officials to better understand public sentiments towards disaster events, to accelerate disaster responses, and to support post-disaster management.

A status quo analysis of disaster risk reduction policy and legislation in Cameroon

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the status quo of disaster risk reduction (DRR) policy and legislation in Cameroon.Design/methodology/approachUsing a qualitative method, this paper examines historical data from sectoral administrative reports, plans, declarations, commitments and speeches, texts and peer-reviewed journals on disaster and risk management in Cameroon for the period 1967-2017. Empirical data from ten selected government sectors were used to analyze the status quo, together with quantitative data collected by using four instruments (i.e. HFA Priority 1 & 4, USAID Toolkit, GOAL Resilience Score and the Checklist on Law and DRR).FindingsFindings show that Cameroon largely still practices disaster response through the Department of Civil Protection. Transparency and accountability are the sine qua non of the state, but the lack thereof causes improper implementation of DRR within development institutions. DRR is seen as an ad hoc activity, with the result that there is not effective institutional capacity for implementation. The need to develop a new national DRR framework is evident.Originality/valueAnalyzing the status quo of DRR in Cameroon could assist with the review and reevaluation of a new DRR framework within the Cameroonian territory.

Adoption of natural disaster preparedness and risk reduction measures by business organisations in Small Island Developing States - A Caribbean case study

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean continue to experience natural disasters which result in loss of life, as well as severe financial losses and economic distress despite the sustained efforts of regional and international agencies to promote disaster risk reduction. Main productive activities, including tourism and agriculture, are usually severely affected by these events, with consequent negative effects on the host economies. The disposition of business enterprises to take natural disaster risk management action is likely to be a factor in attenuating the severity of outcomes from natural hazard events.This study examines the risk reduction and preparedness measures implemented by a sample of business entities in two Caribbean SIDS, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada which have different natural hazard exposures and natural disaster experience. The results indicate areas of deficiency, particularly with respect to risk reduction. The findings also suggest that the responses are influenced mainly by the nature of the business and the characteristics of the organisations, rather than by natural disaster exposure and experience. Recommendations are offered for public policy initiatives that may successfully motivate the business sector to assist in reducing severe natural disaster effects from major natural hazard events in the Caribbean.

Considering Measures on Natural Disaster Risk Reduction in Livestock Farming from the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake

Considering Measures on Natural Disaster Risk Reduction in Livestock Farming from the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake

The Impacts of Natural Disaster Risk Reduction Districts on Sales Prices of Neighboring Apartments

In Korea, regions that are vulnerable to human and property damages due to natural disasters have been designated as Natural Disaster Risk Reduction Districts (NDRRD). Residents close to these districts have expressed concern about their negative effects on property values, making it hard to designate the districts, while some argue that restoration projects in the districts may generate positive effects on property values. Therefore, this study analyzed the effects of the districts and their restoration projects on the sales prices of apartments in the areas surrounding them. The Flood Risk District of Hangang-ro in Yongsan and the Collapse-Risk District of the Umyeonsan area in Seocho were selected as case-study areas. Hedonic price models were employed using dummy variables of sales years and buffers extending 1,500 m from districts and their interaction terms as independent variables. The results show that the effects of NDRRD are different within different buffer zones. In particular, the NDRRD have negative effects on sales prices immediately after designation, and their restoration projects reduce their negative effects. The results may provide policy implications for the designation of NDRRDs and removal of the designation, enhancement of the effectiveness of restoration projects, and operation of the district management system. Keywords: Natural Disaster Risk Reduction Districts, Flood Risk District, Collapse-Risk District, Sales Price of Apartment, Hedonic Price Model

Strengthening National Platforms for Effective Use of Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction

The Guiding Principles of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 state that “(a) Each State has the primary responsibility to prevent and reduce disaster risk, including through international, regional, subregional, transboundary and bilateral cooperation,” and “(b) Disaster risk reduction requires that responsibilities be shared by central Governments and relevant national authorities, sectors and stakeholders, as appropriate to their national circumstances and systems of governance.” The need for a multi-sectoral national mechanism for disaster reduction was recognized during the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) 1990–2000, and the responsibility was inherited to the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR). The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 56/195, which was adopted in December 2001, called upon Governments to establish national platforms or focal points for disaster reduction. At the Global Forum on Science and Technology for Disaster Resilience, held in Tokyo in November 2017, a plenary session focusing on National Platforms was organized and ways for the effective integration of the knowledge and expertise available within the national science and technology community in the national disaster risk reduction activities were discussed. This paper examines how the idea of national platform for disaster reduction evolved since the beginning of IDNDR. This paper further reviews and illustrates the previous discussions on National Platforms from 2005 to 2015 as well as existing guidelines on National Platforms. Based on the discussions carried out during the Forum, five recommendations adopted by the Forum are introduced.

The relationship between insurance companies and natural disaster risk reduction: overview of the key characteristics and mechanisms dealing with climate change

The analysis proposed in this study concerns literature reviews among the ways in which insurance companies cope with climate change, natural disasters and climate risk management. The paper aims to explore the several adaptation measures against climate change adopted by insurance companies for the development of models able developing an acceptable risk forecast. The importance of the paper is substantiated in a structural analytical study of the most important literature on the adaptation of insurance companies to climate change, highlighting the methodologies and specific cases. The conclusions of the paper highlight the natural relevance and relationship between insurance companies, the mandatory interface that year after year the insurance companies have to face and especially the numerous tools that have been developed by the latter in the insurance and reinsurance field for the natural hazards.

Disaster Risk Reduction Awareness Among Junior High School Students of Surigao City

This study determined the level of awareness on disaster risk reduction issues on natural hazards among the public junior high school students of Surigao City. It used the quantitative research design specifically the descriptive-survey. Percentage and Frequency Count, Mean and Standard Deviation and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni Post Hoc Test were the statistical tools utilized for the study. Findings revealed that majority of the respondents are females. Most of them reside along coastal areas. They are more exposed to broadcast media than print media and most of their parents’ educational attainment is only high school level. The public junior high school students are generally aware of disaster risk reduction issues associated with the natural hazards. There is a significant difference on the level of awareness when the respondents were grouped according to sex on issues about earthquake, typhoon, landslide, volcanic eruption and flood. Furthermore, a significant difference also existed on the level of awareness of the respondents as to disaster risk reduction issues. The following conclusions were drawn: The K-12 curriculum of the Department of Education and symposia on disaster awareness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council of Surigao City are effective in disseminating information concerning disaster risk reduction to junior high school students. Females are more vigilant than males on disaster risk reduction issues on earthquake, typhoon, landslides, volcanic eruptions and floods because they are more sensitive about the environmental issues which are attributed to the gender role that they play in the society. Students are more aware on how to reduce risk on natural hazards that often occur in Surigao City which is the typhoon as compared to other calamities.

Assess the human and environmental vulnerability for coastal hazard by using a multi-criteria decision analysis

ABSTRACTThis study provides an integrated approach using geographical information system (GIS) based on a multi-criteria approach (MCDA) to assess coastal vulnerability, resulting from human activity, population density, erosion, and climate change-induced sea level rise. A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) for erosion and floods was calculated and mapped (∼24 km in length; ∼400 m in width, and 11.47 km2 in surface) for the lagoon barrier of Nador located on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco. Results suggest that 54% (∼13 km) of the shoreline is moderately vulnerable, while 42% (∼10 km) is highly vulnerable and only 4% (1 km) present a low vulnerability. The vulnerability map of the socio-economic activities indicates that most wetlands and forest areas 83% (∼31 ha) and 50% (∼440 ha) respectively, present low vulnerability. 52% percent of artificial areas (∼23 ha), 73% of agricultural land (∼128 ha), and 41% of natural areas (∼363 ha) present moderate vulnerability. However, the level of vulnerability of the remaining artificial and agricultural areas classifies from high to very high. The north-western sector was classified as the most vulnerable area, characterized by an erosion (−0.6 m/yr to −1.20 m/yr) for 70% of this area, while the south-eastern part shows a low to moderate vulnerability marked by an erosion (−0.1 m/yr to −1m/yr) for 40% of this area. Coastal vulnerability maps have potential as decision tools to prepare and respond to sea level rise, and identify exposed coastal zones, as such contributing to national climate action and disaster risk reduction sustainable development goals (goals 13 and 11, respectively).

Development of Empirical Wind Vulnerability Curves of School Buildings Damaged by the 2016 Typhoon Nina

Abstract Last 2016, Typhoon Nina with the international name NOCK-TEN made landfall over Lubang Island. Damage to both infrastructure and agriculture reached ₱6.2 billion as reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Among the infrastructure, an estimated damage of ₱1.1 billion was attributed to the education sector. Damage to non-structural components such as furniture, learning materials, and computer units were estimated to reach at least ₱34.8 million. Aside from functioning as educational facilities, school buildings also serve as evacuation shelters for post disaster recovery operations. Hence strengthening of these structures are of high importance. The Department of Education Bicol Region reported that around 625 schools were totally damaged, 1,082 schools were partially damaged and needed major repairs, and 988 schools needed minor repairs. Most of the damage were observed at the roof coverings, roof frames, wall openings and the walls. Hence these comprise the building components where the damage will be quantified. Field surveys were conducted through region IV and V of the southern part of Luzon, Philippines. From the field survey, damage of every building component are quantified as the percentage of damaged elements to the total number of units of the corresponding building component comprising one building. Each percent damage to building component is converted to an equivalent ratio of the repair cost to the total building construction cost, defined as the damage ratio. Each damage ratio is plotted against the corresponding maximum local wind speed, forming the empirical vulnerability curves. The wind speed data was retrieved from an open source wind speed data map provided by Professor Mark Saunders from the University College of London. Vulnerability curves were curve-fitted using a cumulative lognormal distribution for wind speeds ranging from 96 – 242kph (26 – 68mps). Results can then be used by the local government in the prioritization of retrofits and the cost-benefit analysis of repairs for different school building designs. The results can also serve as validation for computational vulnerability curves and as a basis for developing a damage prediction tool for school buildings. Applications such as these can be incorporated into pre-disaster mitigation strategies for typhoon prone areas.

The Natural Hazards Partnership: A public-sector collaboration across the UK for natural hazard disaster risk reduction

The Natural Hazards Partnership (NHP) is a collaboration between 17 UK public bodies11The Natural Hazards Partnership is comprised of British Geological Survey, Cabinet Office, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Environment Agency, Government Office for Science, Health & Safety Executive, Met Office, National Centre for Atmospheric Science, National Oceanography Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, Ordnance Survey, Public Health England, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, The Scottish Government, UK Space Agency and Welsh Government. to provide authoritative, consistent, and useful, hazard, impact and risk assessment information to responder communities and governments. Over the last decade, disasters have affected over 1.5 billion people across the world and damages are estimated to have exceeded $1.5 trillion. To reduce future impacts from natural disasters, the NHP is looking to establish itself as an international model of best practice for delivery of trusted natural hazard advice and services. Development of this impact-focused information and advice is supported by coordinated access to cutting-edge science and natural hazard impact research. This paper presents the NHP as a successful example of a national collaboration of public bodies with a common goal. The partnership's organization and scientific approach is discussed alongside a review of activities and deliverables developed to help realize the NHP's vision: ‘To be the UK's trusted voice for natural hazards advice’. The NHP has overcome collaborative challenges of multi-organizational, geographically dispersed working by building common ground, respect and trust. This has allowed the development of strong leadership and inter-organizational coordination practices and created an agreed common approach to scientific research. These achievements have helped to ensure that the NHP produces valuable products, services and advice, which could translate to other disciplines and other communities.

The value of China-Africa health development initiatives in strengthening "One Health" strategy.

Implementing national to community-based “One Health” strategy for human, animal and environmental challenges and migrating-led consequences offer great opportunities, and its value of sustained development and wellbeing is an imperative. “One Health” strategy in policy commitment, partnership and financial investment are much needed in advocacy, contextual health human-animal and environmental development. Therefore, appropriate and evidence-based handling and management strategies in moving forward universal health coverage and sustainable development goals (SDGs) are essential components to the China-Africa health development initiatives. It is necessary to understand how to strengthen robust and sustainable “One Health” approach implementation in national and regional public health and disaster risk reduction programs. Understanding the foundation of “One Health” strategy in China-Africa public health cooperation is crucial in fostering health systems preparedness and smart response against emerging and re-emerging threats and epidemics. Building the value of China-Africa “One Health” strategy partnerships, frameworks and capacity development and implementation through leveraging on current and innovative China-Africa health initiatives, but also, mobilizing efforts on climatic changes and disasters mitigation and lifestyle adaptations strategies against emerging and current infectious diseases threats are essential to establish epidemic surveillance-response system under the concept of global collaborative coordination and lasting financing mechanisms. Further strengthen local infrastructure and workforce capacity, participatory accountability and transparency on “One Health” approach will benefit to set up infectious diseases of poverty projects, and effective monitoring and evaluation systems in achieving African Union 2063 Agenda and SDGs targets both in Africa and China.

Urban vulnerability, disaster risk reduction and resettlement in Mzuzu city, Malawi

For most developing countries at risk of disasters and climate change, adopting structural measures to reduce disaster risks remain a challenge. This paper presents findings of a study conducted through a mixed methods design in a flood risk city in Malawi, Sub-Saharan Africa. The study assesses the city's vulnerability to floods and actions being taken to reduce the risks. It then investigates how resettlement is being promoted as one such risk reduction measure. The study finds multiple vulnerability factors, including unsafe construction practices, poor drainage systems, unregulated solid waste disposal, institutional incapacity, inadequacy of land, settlements in high risk areas, deforestation, siltation of rivers and national disaster risk reduction policies that neglect urban areas. However, efforts to tackle underlying causes of vulnerability are wanting. One positive programme is a slum upgrading pilot project implemented by non-state actors that also lacks government support. In the case of resettlement, its planning and execution is fraught with multiple challenges emanating from haphazard planning and lack of community participation. The paper argues that the emphasis on resettlement is obscuring the key drivers of vulnerability, while simultaneously exposing both resettled and those left behind to further risks. It, therefore, calls for caution when planning and implementing disaster risk reduction policies that have the potential to create new forms of vulnerability to hazards or exacerbate them.

Role of Boundary Organization after a Disaster: New Zealand’s Natural Hazards Research Platform and the 2010–2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence

AbstractThe boundary organization concept has been used to establish that collaborative arrangements and outputs across science and policy domain boundaries need to be credible, relevant, and legitimate in order to be to be effective. Although widely accepted in other issue-driven fields, this concept does not have equivalent currency in the natural hazard and disaster risk reduction context. This paper uses the development of the New Zealand Natural Hazards Research Platform during a recent earthquake disaster to assess the utility of the concept in this topic area. Lessons are also identified concerning the use of larger consortium organizations to increase policy and other end-user involvement in the management and coordination of research funding, and the impact of a major disaster on this research-funding initiative. Mapping the Platform’s collaborative arrangements in relation to boundary tensions over time makes it possible to distinguish disaster effects from preexisting and ongoing structural eff...

Vulnerability assessment and interdependency analysis of critical infrastructures for climate adaptation and flood mitigation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a novel approach that examines the vulnerability and interdependency of critical infrastructures using the network theory in geographic information system (GIS) setting in combination with literature and government reports. Specifically, the objectives of this study were to generate the network models of critical infrastructure systems (CISs), particularly electricity, roads and sewerage networks; to characterize the CISs’ interdependencies; and to outline the climate adaptation (CA) and flood mitigation measures of CIS. Design/methodology/approach – An integrated approach was undertaken in assessing the vulnerability and interdependency of critical infrastructures. A single system model and system-of-systems model were operationalized to examine the vulnerability and interdependency of the identified critical infrastructures in GIS environment. Existing CA and flood mitigation measures from government reports were integrated in the above-mentioned findings to better understand and gain focus in the implementation of natural disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies, particularly during the 2010/2011 floods in Queensland, Australia. Findings – Using the results from the above-mentioned approach, the spatially explicit framework was developed with four key operational dimensions: conceiving the climate risk environment; understanding the critical infrastructures’ common cause and cascade failures; modeling individual infrastructure system and system-of-systems level within GIS setting; and integrating the above-mentioned results with the government reports to increase CA and resilience measures of flood-affected critical infrastructures. Research limitations/implications – While natural DRR measures include preparation, response and recovery, this study focused on flood mitigation. Temporal analysis and application to other natural disasters were also not considered in the analysis. Practical implications – By providing this information, government-owned corporations, CISs managers and other concerned stakeholders will allow to identify infrastructure assets that are highly critical, identify vulnerable infrastructures within areas of very high flood risk, examine the interdependency of critical infrastructures and the effects of cascaded failures, identify ways of reducing flood risk and extreme climate events and prioritize DRR measures and CA strategies. Originality/value – The individualist or “pigeon-hole” approach has been the common method of analyzing infrastructures’ exposure to flood hazards and tends to separately examine the risk for different types of infrastructure (e.g. electricity, water, sewerage, roads and rails and stormwater). This study introduced an integrated approach of analyzing infrastructure risk to damage and cascade failure due to flooding. Aside from introducing the integrated approach, this study operationalized GIS-based vulnerability assessment and interdependency of critical infrastructures which had been unsubstantially considered in the past analytical frameworks. The authors considered this study of high significance, considering that floodplain planning schemes often lack the consideration of critical infrastructure interdependency.

A Competence-Based Science Learning Framework Illustrated Through the Study of Natural Hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction

This article proposes a competence-based learning framework for science teaching, applied to the study of ‘big ideas’, in this case to the study of natural hazards and disaster risk reduction (NH&DRR). The framework focuses on new visions of competence, placing emphasis on nurturing connectedness and behavioral actions toward resilience and sustainability. The framework draws together competences familiarly expressed as cognitive knowledge and skills, plus dispositions and adds connectedness and action-related behaviors, and applies this by means of a progression shift associated with NH&DRR from abilities to capabilities. The target is enhanced scientific literacy approached through an education through science focus, amplified through the study of a big idea, promotion of sustained resilience in the face of disaster and the taking of responsibilities for behavioral actions. The framework is applied to a learning progression for each interrelated education dimension, thus serving as a guide for both the development of abilities and as a platform for stimulating student capabilities within instruction and assessment.

Divergent approaches to resolving pressures on NRM and DRR programs: A case study of sustainable fire management training

In the contexts of natural resource management (NRM) and disaster risk reduction (DRR), landholders are increasingly expected to take responsibility for issues which extend beyond property boundaries. Numerous programs are being developed to train landholders to meet these expectations, however the ontological underpinnings, goals and outcomes of these programs can be radically different. Using sustainable fire management as a case study, we compare a modernist approach to training, which educates landholders in the scientific and legislative aspects of NRM and DRR with the aim of persuading them towards particular decisions, with a relational framework which aims to develop new ways of knowing and being that recognises the mutually entwined trajectories of embodied humans, fire and land. Each of these programs initially appeals to different landholders but we suggest that learning styles are malleable and that training has the potential to guide not only what landholders do with their land, but also their ways of ‘knowing’ human/fire/land relations. We discuss the circumstances in which each program might be most appropriate and conclude by emphasising the importance of explicit consideration of these issues by training organisations, funding bodies and policy makers.

Towards a cross-domain interoperable framework for natural hazards and disaster risk reduction information

According to the United Nations’ International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, “natural hazards are processes or phenomena that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage”. They are at the interface between human and natural systems. From this perspective, natural hazards are a multidimensional domain including environmental issues, the private and public sector and citizens and governance ranging from local to supranational. The vast amount of information and data necessary for comprehensive hazard and risk assessment present many challenges regarding the lack of accessibility, comparability, quality, organisation and dissemination of natural hazards spatial data. In order to mitigate these limitations, an interoperability framework has been developed and published in the INSPIRE Data Specification on Natural Risk Zones—technical guidelines (DS) document. This framework provides means for facilitating access, integration, harmonisation and dissemination of natural hazard data from different domains and sources. The objective of this paper is twofold. Firstly, the paper highlights the key aspects of the interoperability to the various natural hazard communities and illustrates the applicability of the interoperability framework developed in the DS. And secondly, the paper “translates” into common language the main features and potentiality of the interoperability framework of the DS for a wider audience of scientists and practitioners in the natural hazard domain. In this paper, the four pillars of the interoperability framework will be presented. First, the adoption of a common terminology for the natural hazard domain will be addressed. A common data model to facilitate cross-domain data integration will then follow. Thirdly, the common methodology developed to express qualitative or quantitative assessments of natural hazards is presented. Fourthly, the extensible classification schema for natural hazards developed from a literature review and key reference documents from the contributing community of practice is discussed. Furthermore, the applicability of the interoperability framework for the various stakeholder groups is illustrated. This paper closes discussing main advantages, limitations and next steps regarding the sustainability and evolution of the interoperability framework.

The National Landslide Database of Great Britain: Acquisition, communication and the role of social media

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is the national geological agency for Great Britain that provides geoscientific information to government, other institutions and the public. The National Landslide Database has been developed by the BGS and is the focus for national geohazard research for landslides in Great Britain. The history and structure of the geospatial database and associated Geographical Information System (GIS) are explained, along with the future developments of the database and its applications. The database is the most extensive source of information on landslides in Great Britain with over 17,000 records of landslide events to date, each documented as fully as possible for inland, coastal and artificial slopes. Data are gathered through a range of procedures, including: incorporation of other databases; automated trawling of current and historical scientific literature and media reports; new field- and desk-based mapping technologies with digital data capture, and using citizen science through social media and other online resources. This information is invaluable for directing the investigation, prevention and mitigation of areas of unstable ground in accordance with Government planning policy guidelines. The national landslide susceptibility map (GeoSure) and a national landslide domains map currently under development, as well as regional mapping campaigns, rely heavily on the information contained within the landslide database. Assessing susceptibility to landsliding requires knowledge of the distribution of failures, an understanding of causative factors, their spatial distribution and likely impacts, whilst understanding the frequency and types of landsliding present is integral to modelling how rainfall will influence the stability of a region. Communication of landslide data through the Natural Hazard Partnership (NHP) and Hazard Impact Model contributes to national hazard mitigation and disaster risk reduction with respect to weather and climate. Daily reports of landslide potential are published by BGS through the NHP partnership and data collected for the National Landslide Database are used widely for the creation of these assessments. The National Landslide Database is freely available via an online GIS and is used by a variety of stakeholders for research purposes.