CE-DAT - Centre for research on the epidemiology of disasters

From the Director’s Desk
Dear CE‐DAT friends, More...

Since 2004, the CE-DAT initiative compiles the results of cross-sectional sample surveys from complex emergencies. By providing estimates of mortality, nutrition and vaccination indicators, those surveys have been adopted as a means of rapidly assessing the direct impact of a crisis on human populations (Guha-Sapir, 1991). They are further used to guide policy decisions and humanitarian interventions or to provide data for advocacy purposes.

Cartography has imposed itself as an essential tool for all actors involved in the different sectors of the disaster and conflict management cycle. Over the last decade, the world witnessed a significant increase and diffusion of easily and freely available geographic information on disasters and conflicts. Notably, there has been a growing trend in the availability of satellite-based monitoring initiatives.

January is typically the month of statistical overviews. Analysts rush through their databases to come up with summary tables and analyses showing clear improvements, deteriorations or no change at all. So did we.

Dear CE-DAT friends,

In recent years, various analysts have attempted to estimate death tolls due to armed conflicts, including for Iraq and Darfur. As results have shown inconsistencies, this has led to vigorous discussions on the best approaches for collecting and analyzing such mortality data.