The standardwayinwhichdisasterdamagesaremeasuredinvolvesexaminingseparatelythenumberof
fatalities, ofinjuries,ofpeopleotherwiseaffected,andthe financial damagethatnaturaldisasterscause.
Here, weimplementanovelwaytoaggregatetheseseparatemeasuresofdisasterimpactandapplyitto
two catastrophiceventsfrom2011:theChristchurch(NewZealand)earthquakesandtheGreater
Bangkok (Thailand) flood. Thisnewmeasure,whichissimilartotheWorldHealthOrganization’s cal-
culation ofDisabilityAdjustedLifeYears(DALYs)lostduetotheburdenofdiseasesandinjuries,isde-
scribed indetailinNoy [7]. ItallowsustoconcludethatNewZealandlost180thousandlifeyearsasa
result ofthe2011events,andThailandlost2644thousandlifeyears.Inpercapitaterms,thelossis
similar,withbothcountrieslosingabout15daysperpersonduetothe2011catastrophiceventsinthese
two countries.