The ILO, a key partner in Post Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNAs)

Disasters hamper socio-economic development and undermine the livelihoods of households and communities. Damaged workplaces, lost jobs and diminished income are the typical consequences of a disaster and affect disproportionally the poor and most vulnerable.

In the aftermath of a disaster, the ILO provides direct support to governments and social partners in undertaking a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) in the ‘Employment, Livelihoods and Social Protection’ (ELSP) sector. The ELSP sector assessment complements earlier humanitarian livelihoods assessments to link the disaster recovery with national development objectives.

A PDNA is launched at the request of the Government and is conducted with support of the UNDG, the World Bank and the European Union. It estimates post-disaster damage and losses across all sectors of the economy as well as the recovery, relief, reconstruction, and risk management needs. A PDNA also provides guidance to the Government and the international donor community on a country’s short, medium, and long term recovery priorities.

Since 2005 over 50 PDNAs have been conducted in more than 40 countries. The ILO has supported more than 30 assessments.