Understanding Risk : Review of Open Source and Open Access Software Packages Available to Quanify Risk from Natural Hazards

Abstract

The World Bank s disaster risk management (DRM) activities utilize a range of open access and open source computational modelling tools to quantify the risk posed by natural hazards. An important goal of these activities is to build capacity among national and local governments and international development professionals working in disaster risk management. A key decision in these activities is the choice of modelling tool that will be used to address the hazard, exposure, and/or risk question under consideration. This document presents an objective analysis of freely available hazard and risk modelling software in order to facilitate selection of appropriate tools for various DRM activities. There have been previous evaluations of freely available modelling tools across various natural hazards, but this is the first multi-hazard systematic review using a set of consistent criteria. The analysis covers hazard risk models for cyclone (wind), storm surge and tsunami, earthquake, and flood.