The Precarious Future of Global Disaster Data: EM-DAT at Risk
This article discusses a critical threat to a vital global resource: the EM-DAT database.
For three decades, this comprehensive repository has provided free, fact-checked data on natural and technological disasters worldwide.
Now, due to significant funding cuts, its continued operation is in jeopardy, with potentially far-reaching consequences for climate science, humanitarian efforts, and policy development.
The Backbone of Disaster Understanding is Fraying
The EM-DAT database, curated by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) at the University of Louvain, has been the gold standard for disaster information for 30 years.
It documents over 27,000 distinct events, providing details on their timing, human impact, fatalities, displacements, and economic costs.
This dataset forms the bedrock of critical scientific research and informs urgent humanitarian responses.
Its consistent data has been instrumental in numerous studies, including its inclusion in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports.
A Decade of Dependence, A Sudden Shock
For many years, the operational continuity of EM-DAT has been heavily reliant on a single major donor.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAid) has historically shouldered approximately 90% of EM-DAT’s annual operating budget, which hovers around €300,000.
This consistent funding has maintained the database’s free, open-access, and politically neutral status.
Researchers and organizations worldwide have been able to utilize its data without financial barriers.
However, this vital support system has been abruptly disrupted.
The news of a significant funding cut, directly impacting EM-DAT’s viability, was officially communicated to CRED in February 2025.
This withdrawal of support, stemming from changes in U.S. foreign aid policy following the 2025 inauguration of President Trump and the subsequent dismantling of USAid, has plunged the future of this resource into uncertainty.
The Alarm is Sounded: A Global Call to Action
Recognizing the imminent threat, the scientific community has rallied.
In March 2025, scientists initiated an open letter, urging governments, multilateral development banks, and philanthropic organizations to step forward and secure EM-DAT’s future.
The letter has garnered over 4,000 signatures, a testament to the database’s widespread acknowledgment and appreciation.
The Ripple Effect: Disproportionate Impacts and Lost Insights
The potential loss of EM-DAT carries significant implications, particularly for nations and regional bodies in the Global South. These entities often lack the resources to maintain comprehensive national disaster records and have come to rely heavily on EM-DAT for comparable analyses.
This is crucial for understanding their vulnerability and planning mitigation strategies. The database has been a powerful tool in this regard, directly informing national disaster management strategies, as evidenced by its influence on policies in countries like Indonesia.
EM-DAT has also played a pivotal role in highlighting the disproportionate burden of climate change impacts on small island developing states. This influence has extended to international funding decisions and global climate negotiations at the United Nations.
Seeking New Horizons: Exploring Alternative Funding Models
Amidst this crisis, efforts are underway to secure EM-DAT’s operational future. CRED director Niko Speybroeck, along with other esteemed experts, is actively pursuing alternative funding avenues.
While there have been encouraging signs of interest from potential new donors, no firm commitments have yet been secured. This ongoing search underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for a more sustainable funding model.
The prevailing sentiment among scientists is a strong advocacy for diversifying EM-DAT’s funding streams. The goal is to establish a more robust and multi-source financial model.
Here is the source article for this story: EM-DAT: Trump aid cuts could close database storing ‘world’s memory of disasters’