Ashgabat, 15-16 May 2018: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has hosted a workshop on post-disaster need assessment (PDNA). Over 35 representatives from the national ministries, international organizations and UN sister agencies discussed the benefits of applying a standardized approach and methodology for conducting post-disaster needs assessments, formulating a recovery strategy and planning its successful implementation.

UNDP, UN Environment and WB international experts experienced in post-disaster needs assessments have presented their expertise in PNDA methodology application in such areas such as water supply and sanitation, housing and health care, energy and transportation.

“The increase of the readiness of the national partners to respond to emergencies and build national capacity for disaster risk reduction is one of the important priorities of the work of the UNDP and other authoritative international organizations. We are glad that the Government of Turkmenistan supports the work in this area and has it on the top of its disaster risk reduction agenda,” stated Ms. Elena Panova, UNDP Resident Representative.

The two-day training included interactive workshop comprised of presentations, group work and practical exercises. Participants received a knowledge on the use and application of the methodology and approach of PDNA and developed the post-disaster framework. As a result of the workshop the participants can become part of the group of professionals capable of assessing needs and developing recovery schemes in Turkmenistan and the Central Asian region.

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The United Nations Development Group, the World Bank and the European Union have jointly developed a post-disaster need assessment methodology. This tool is a harmonized and coordinated approach that provides an objective, comprehensive assessment of damage, losses and recovery needs after emergencies. To promote the use of the PDNA in practice, the UN, the World Bank and the European Union have prepared a special guide that helps to promote the methodology and standardizes the assessment methodology, covering all sectors and maintaining a balance between various aspects of the recovery process.

UNDP and the Government of Turkmenistan have signed the joint project “Strengthening National Capacity of Turkmenistan for Seismic Risk Assessment, Prevention and Response to Potential Earthquakes” for 2018-2020.