Tools and methods for estimating populations at risk from natural disasters and complex humanitarian crises / Committee on the Effective Use of Data, Methodologies, and Technologies to Estimate Subnational Populations at Risk ; Board on Earth Sciences and Resources ; Division on Earth and Life Studies ; Committee on Population ; Division of Behavioral and Social Science and Education ; National Research Council.

Chiefly papers presented at a workshop organized by the Committee on the Effective Use of Data, Methodologies, and Technologies to Estimate Subnational Populations at Risk, held in March 2006 in Washington, D.C.

Includes bibliographical references.

Populations at Risk: Local to Global Concerns -- Current Status of At-Risk Subnational Population Estimation -- Data Dissonance in Disasters -- The Operational Environment and Institutional Impediments -- Population Data and Crisis Response in Mali, Mozambique, and Haiti.

"Worldwide, millions of people are displaced annually because of natural or industrial disasters or social upheaval. Reliable data on the numbers, characteristics, and locations of these populations can bolster humanitarian relief efforts and recovery programs. Using sound methods for estimating population numbers and characteristics is important for both industrialized and developing nations. Ensuring that the data are geographically referenced for projection onto maps is essential. However, good data alone are insufficient. Adequate staff training and strong organizational and political desire to maintain and use the information are also required. Tools and Methods for Estimating Populations at Risk from Natural Disasters and Complex Humanitarian Crises, reviews the main methods and tools for making estimates of subnational populations and makes several recommendations to improve the collection and the use of population data for emergency response and development. " -- publisher's description.