Post-disaster needs assessment methodology adapted for Viet Nam

Every year, Viet Nam is heavily affected by natural disasters. More than 70% of the population is at risk from various types of natural hazard events such as floods, typhoons and droughts. Over the past two decades, natural disasters in Viet Nam annually kill more than 400 people, and cause economic losses of 1-1.5% of GDP.

The Government of Viet Nam has been active in supporting investment for disaster management, including for emergency assistance and post-disaster recovery. The Joint Circular No. 43/2015 / TTLT-BNNPTNT-BKHĐT provides detailed forms for statistics and assessment of damage caused by natural disasters, contributing to speeding up emergency assistance for people and communities. However, there are difficulties in effectively assessing damage, loss, impact, the prioritization of needs and development of medium and long-term recovery plans.

At the global level, the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment methodology developed by the European Commission, the United Nations and the World Bank has been applied successfully in many countries. Through this work, the Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority (VNDMA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Viet Nam has now adapted this methodology to the country context to assist disaster management agencies, local authorities and local organizations to carry out comprehensive assessment and planning of disaster recovery.