ThinkHazard! is an online platform that provides simplified risk information for natural hazards worldwide.
It helps non-specialist users—like urban planners, policymakers, and developers—understand what hazards exist in a given location and how to prepare for them.
ThinkHazard! is designed to be fast, accessible, and practical, making it a useful starting point for GIS users working in development or infrastructure planning.
What Is ThinkHazard?
ThinkHazard! was developed by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), in partnership with the World Bank and other global organizations.
Its main features:
- Provides risk levels (low, medium, high, very high) for each hazard in a selected area.
- Offers actionable guidance for each hazard type.
- Covers over 190 countries, down to sub-national levels.
It’s not a detailed modeling tool—but a strategic risk overview.
Covered Hazards
ThinkHazard! includes multiple natural hazards:
- River Flood
- Urban Flood
- Coastal Flood
- Drought
- Earthquake
- Tsunami
- Volcano
- Cyclone
- Extreme Heat
- Landslide
- Water Scarcity
- Wildfire
Each hazard is evaluated independently, with separate risk maps and guidance notes.
Geographic Coverage
- Global coverage.
- Data is presented at multiple administrative levels: country, region, district.
- Based on a mix of global hazard models, including from UNISDR, GFDRR, and partner institutions.
How to Access the Data
Use the web tool at:
Search by country or location to see:
- Hazard risk levels
- Related hazards (e.g. coastal flood with cyclone)
- Recommended actions for planning and policy
Some datasets are also available through the World Bank Data Catalog or GFDRR data portals for GIS download.
How to Use in GIS
Although ThinkHazard! is not a full GIS platform, you can use it alongside GIS workflows:
- Use ThinkHazard! to identify primary hazard types for a region.
- Combine with shapefiles or raster hazard maps from UNISDR, GFDRR, or open sources like ReliefWeb and HDX.
- Integrate risk level summaries into planning dashboards or map tools.
If you need raw data, check the metadata for links to source datasets.
Common Use Cases
- Site selection – Quickly assess if a proposed project site is exposed to major hazards.
- Risk communication – Share simple risk overviews with non-technical stakeholders.
- Policy design – Use guidance notes to develop resilient building codes and infrastructure plans.
- Development projects – Identify climate or disaster risks before investments.
Strengths
- Simple and accessible – Designed for users without hazard modeling experience.
- Wide coverage – Global reach with local insights.
- Practical advice – Pairs hazard data with clear action points.
Limitations
- Not highly granular – Risk levels are generalized, not pixel-accurate.
- No downloadable shapefiles directly – Users must find original source data elsewhere.
- No real-time updates – Based on existing models, not live monitoring.
Despite these, it's a valuable planning tool—especially in early-stage assessments.
