Analyzing Impact on Disaster Preparedness in Guatemala
Disaster preparedness and response can be facilitated by analysis of data on risks, capacities, and access to infrastructure. Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) is an online platform that provides data related to humanitarian activities. While there is much data available through HDX to determine a country’s level of risk and preparedness, there is insufficient processing and analysis of the data that is useful for responders and policymakers. An organization that contributes to HDX is INFORM, a collaboration of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group that provides global, open-source risk assessments for humanitarian crises and disasters. Among the various data files available through INFORM on Guatemala, there are levels of disaster preparedness, crime rates, access to electricity, and other demographic variables. An analysis of this data was conducted through identifying relationships amongst the data variables and spatial correlations. Disaster preparedness was found to be related to crime rates and access to electricity, which both were correlated with geographic locations. These relationships can inform policies and targeted efforts to improve disaster preparedness. With increasing violence and vulnerability in Guatemala, such analysis can also inform key areas and populations in need.
Authors: Gabriela Barrera
