Abstract

Capturing qualitative data from disaster survivors is essential for understanding their experiences and improving disaster response strategies. This data is vital for informed decision-making and enhancing disaster preparedness. Despite the critical importance of these narratives, a significant gap exists in systematically collecting, preserving, and utilizing these experiences. Most survivors’ testimonies remain undocumented, leading to a loss of valuable insights over time. This paper presents an innovative international effort to bridge these gaps through a collaborative framework. We have developed a structured schema and a web-based platform that enhance the interoperability of qualitative disaster data across different linguistic and cultural contexts. Our approach involves standardized guidelines for conducting and transcribing interviews with disaster survivors, ensuring consistent data capture and facilitating computational analysis and sharing. Our model supports the effective registration and interoperability of disaster narratives, making them accessible for global disaster management communities. This integrated, cross-cultural approach significantly advances the interoperability of disaster-related data, promoting a more profound understanding of disasters and supporting evidence-based strategies for risk reduction and management.