Searches for overseas disasters peak within three days... searches for Nepal floods fall to 9.3% a week later

[Financial News] Internet searches in South Korea for major overseas disasters peaked one to three days after the disasters occurred, then declined rapidly, a new analysis found. In the case of the Nepal floods in August this year, search volume fell to 9.3% of its peak a week later.
According to Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association on the 28th, a comparison of Naver search volumes on a consistent basis over the 30 days before and after nine major overseas disasters that occurred between 2018 and 2026 confirmed this pattern.
The analysis covered disasters that caused significant casualties or prompted international relief efforts, had clearly established dates of occurrence, and were reported by major domestic media outlets. They included the Nepal floods, the Laos dam collapse, the Indonesia earthquake and tsunami, the Türkiye–Syria earthquakes, and the Myanmar earthquake.
Searches related to the Nepal floods were highest the day after they occurred. Within two days, they had fallen to half or less of their peak, declining to 9.3% a week later and 2.3% two weeks later. It took about 10 days for search volume to return to its usual level.
Search volumes for other disasters also peaked one to three days after they occurred. However, this analysis looked at changes in search volume; it did not measure actual donation amounts or the scale of participation in relief efforts.
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) defines disaster recovery as the process of restoring or improving the livelihoods and health of people in affected areas, as well as social and economic activities. This means support is also needed to continue beyond initial relief and help people return to daily life.
The association plans to quickly communicate the damage and urgent support needs, and actively provide information on how to donate and on its support plans, in order to channel early interest in a disaster into relief efforts.
The association’s Secretary-General, Shin Hoon, said, "We will promptly provide the information needed to turn early interest into humanitarian relief efforts, and continue to share the support process and its results."
[email protected] Jang In-seo Reporter