How do you conduct a rapid and reliable post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA)?

2 Establish the coordination and management structure

The second step is to establish the coordination and management structure for the PDNA, involving the government, the UN, the donors, the NGOs, and other relevant partners. You need to assign roles and responsibilities, agree on the methodology and tools, and set up a timeline and a budget. You also need to ensure that the PDNA is aligned with the existing coordination mechanisms, such as the cluster system, the humanitarian country team, or the national disaster management authority. This will help you to ensure the quality, credibility, and ownership of the PDNA, and to foster collaboration and coordination among the actors.

3 Collect and analyze the data

The third step is to collect and analyze the data for the PDNA, using a combination of primary and secondary sources. You need to review the existing data and reports, such as baseline data, pre-disaster assessments, damage assessments, or rapid assessments. You also need to conduct field surveys, interviews, focus groups, or participatory methods, to collect data from the affected communities, local authorities, service providers, and other key informants. You need to ensure that the data collection is inclusive, representative, and ethical, and that it follows the agreed standards and indicators. You also need to analyze the data, using quantitative and qualitative methods, to identify the impact, needs, capacities, and gaps of the affected population.

4 Estimate the recovery costs and prioritize the interventions

The fourth step is to estimate the recovery costs and prioritize the interventions for the PDNA, based on the data analysis and the recovery principles. You need to calculate the cost of restoring or improving the physical, social, economic, and environmental assets and services that were damaged or disrupted by the disaster. You also need to prioritize the interventions, based on the criteria of urgency, feasibility, sustainability, resilience, equity, and alignment with the national and local plans and policies. You need to ensure that the recovery costs and interventions are realistic, transparent, and accountable, and that they address the cross-cutting issues, such as gender, environment, human rights, or conflict sensitivity.

5 Prepare and disseminate the PDNA report

The fifth step is to prepare and disseminate the PDNA report, which summarizes the findings, recommendations, and action plan of the assessment. You need to draft the report, using a clear, concise, and consistent language and format, and incorporating the feedback and inputs of the stakeholders. You also need to disseminate the report, using various channels and formats, such as online platforms, media outlets, workshops, or briefings. You need to ensure that the PDNA report is accessible, informative, and actionable, and that it reaches the intended audiences, such as the government, the donors, the UN, the NGOs, or the affected communities.

6 Monitor and evaluate the recovery process

The sixth step is to monitor and evaluate the recovery process, which follows the implementation of the PDNA recommendations and action plan. You need to establish a monitoring and evaluation system, which tracks the progress, results, challenges, and lessons learned of the recovery interventions. You also need to conduct regular reviews and evaluations, which measure the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, impact, and sustainability of the recovery interventions. You need to ensure that the monitoring and evaluation system is participatory, adaptive, and learning-oriented, and that it informs the decision-making and accountability of the recovery actors.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?