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The MERGE Dataset: A Harmonized Global Resource for Climate Disaster Impacts and Human Vulnerability
Debarati Guha-Sapir1, Sarah Elizabeth Scales2, Fabian Gans3
1Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Scientific Data
|June 4, 2026
Summary
The MERGE Initiative created a global data infrastructure to unify fragmented climate disaster data. This integrated dataset supports better decision-making, risk modeling, and anticipatory action for climate-related disasters.
Area of Science:
- Climate Science
- Data Science
- Disaster Management
Background:
- Climate disaster research faces challenges due to fragmented data across incompatible systems.
- Lack of data harmonization hinders effective decision-making, risk modeling, and anticipatory action.
- Growing abundance of disaster data is underutilized due to integration issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a global data infrastructure (MERGE Initiative) addressing data fragmentation in climate disaster research.
- To curate, align, and integrate trustworthy data across disciplines at global scales.
- To support researchers, policymakers, and responders with timely, relevant climate disaster data.
Main Methods:
- Collaborative effort involving data holders and experts from leading scientific institutions.
- Development of a global data infrastructure and integration standards.
- Creation of a publicly available pilot dataset integrating over 250 variables from 10 databases.
Main Results:
- A proof-of-concept MERGE pilot dataset has been created and is publicly available.
- The dataset integrates diverse variables from multiple distinct databases.
- The MERGE platform is established as a public good.
Conclusions:
- The MERGE Initiative provides a foundational step towards harmonized global climate disaster data.
- The pilot dataset enables the development of advanced data and methods for climate disaster research and response.
- Accessible, integrated data is crucial for enhancing climate disaster resilience and anticipatory action.
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