FAQs on the Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework(G-DRSF)

Why is a global framework on disaster-related statistics needed?

Disaster-related statistics are currently fragmented, inconsistent, and difficult to compare across countries and over time. Data related to disasters are collected by different government agencies, private sector, academia and other stakeholders using different concepts, definitions, and methods. 

The G-DRSF provides a common statistical framework to support the consistent production of disaster-related statistics so they can be: 

• compiled consistently within national statistical systems, 

• compared across countries and time periods, 

• used reliably for evidence-based disaster risk reduction (DRR), sustainable development, and climate action.

Who is responsible for producing and coordinating disaster-related statistics?

Disaster-related statistics are produced through a collaborative data ecosystem: 

• National Statistical Offices (NSOs) lead coordination, standardization, quality assurance, and integration into official statistics. 

• National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs) produce key administrative and operational data on hazards, impacts, preparedness, and response. 

• Other data producing agencies (e.g. environment, infrastructure, health agencies) in different sectors contribute to sector-specific data relevant to disaster risk and impacts. 

The framework clarifies roles but does not change national institutional mandates. 

How does the framework relate to the Sendai Framework, SDGs, and climate adaptation goals? Does it introduce new reporting requirements?

The G-DRSF supports existing global frameworks; it does not replace them. 

It strengthens the statistical basis for reporting on the global development agendas such as the Sendai Framework, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and climate-related statistics, and enables more consistent reporting through shared concepts, methods and classifications. It also supports countries to monitor and track crucial disaster-related statistics and impact data in their national losses and damages tracking databases, such as the new DELTA-Resilience system (https://www.undrr.org/building-risk-knowledge/disaster-losses-and-damages-tracking-system-delta-resilience; https://www.deltaresilience.org/).  

The framework does not introduce new global indicators nor create new reporting obligations. The G-DRSF builds on existing data sources within national statistical systems, improving organization and consistency rather than increasing reporting volume. Implementation is gradual and modular, and countries decide the implementation scope and focus according to national context and capacity. 

How does the G-DRSF build upon existing losses and damages assessment methodologies, such as Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) and Damage and Loss Assessment (DaLA)?

The G-DRSF is designed to provide a standardized statistical foundation to complement and enhance established methodologies such as the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) and Damage and Loss Assessment (DaLA). The G-DRSF builds upon the technical foundation of these frameworks, while enhancing them by introducing internationally comparable statistical recommendations and guidelines. 

The G-DRSF integrates existing methodologies of PDNA and DaLA,  incorporates specialized sectoral assessment. It calls for closer institutional coordination between National Statistical Offices (NSOs) alongside National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs) as well as other sector agencies and relevant stakeholders, contributing to a stronger national statistical system to produce and use disaster-related statistics. 

Why does the framework include statistics such as exposure, vulnerability, and coping capacity?

Risk exists before, during and after hazardous events and disasters occur. Relying only on event data after occurrences means risk is understood only after impacts happen. 

The G-DRSF includes statistics on exposure, vulnerability and coping capacity to help DRR experts and statisticians to: 

• understand who, where, and what is exposed, 

• capture underlying vulnerability of the population, assets and flows, 

• quantify coping and preparedness capacity and measure the interventions. 

They provide baseline information needed for risk assessment, planning, and prevention, even in years with no disasters. 

Does the framework support the use of disaggregated data?

Yes. The framework encourages the use of disaggregated disaster-related statistics, such as population and socioeconomic characteristics and geospatial disaggregation, to improve risk analysis, target interventions, and strengthen monitoring of DRR progress.  

The G-DRSF leaves the decisions on specific variables of focus (such as sex, age, or disability) to the national authorities to determine, taking into account national context and data availability. 

What hazard classification does the framework use?

The G-DRSF recommends the 2025 Hazard Information Profiles (HIPs) as the common reference for hazard classification and definitions.  
Countries may continue to use national hazard classifications, and are encouraged to align them with HIPs.

What types of disaster impacts and losses are covered? 

The framework covers impacts on: 

• population (e.g. deaths, injuries, displacement), 

• assets (e.g. housing, infrastructure, ecosystems), 

• flows (e.g. losses in production of goods and services (including basic services), losses of ecosystem services).  

Both physical measures and monetary valuation are included, where methods are sufficiently developed and event attribution is possible. 

How are ecosystem-related losses reflected?

Ecosystems are treated as assets and providers of services aligned with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) Ecosystem Accounting (https://seea.un.org/ecosystem-accounting). 

The framework allows: 

• physical measurement of ecosystem damage (e.g. forest area affected), 

• monetary valuation (e.g. loss of carbon sequestration services in monetary terms). 

• Long-term, cumulative, or intangible ecosystem losses are acknowledged but not included, as internationally agreed statistical methods are not yet available. UNDRR is working closely with partner organizations including UNEP, UNH-EHS in establishing a global framework (FRAME-ECO) to assess, monitor, and track biodiversity and ecosystem services losses. 

How does the framework treat losses from slow-onset hazards?

Losses from slow-onset hazards (e.g. drought) should be attributable to the event that caused them. If the losses extend across multiple calendar years, they are compiled annually for the full duration of the event. 

Long-term, cumulative processes without clear event boundaries are treated as underlying risk factors, not disaster losses. 

Why does the framework include tracking of DRR expenditures?

DRR expenditures are often spread across sectors and difficult to identify in national accounts. Separating them in a form of accounts consistent with the System of National Accounts improves statistical visibility of prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery spending. 

Tracking DRR expenditures: 

• complements loss and impact statistics, 

• facilitates a cost-benefit analysis of resources invested, not just outcomes, 

• supports transparency and reporting (including Sendai-related reporting). 

How is DRR expenditure tracking different from budget tagging?

This distinction is essential. 

• Budget tagging (planning tool) 

• Used before spending occurs 

• Identifies or labels planned budget allocations as DRR-relevant 

• Supports planning, prioritisation, and mainstreaming DRR 

• DRR expenditure accounting (statistical framework) 

• Compiled after spending occurs 

• Based on actual recorded transactions with DRR as the primary purpose 

• It covers both the amount spent (i.e. expenditure) and the sources and beneficiaries of DRR financing (i.e. transfers) 

• Aligned with the System of National Accounts (SNA) 

• Used for official statistics and reporting 

Budget tagging may help identify relevant activities, but tagged budgets are not statistics.