Report: Post-disaster needs assessment: Kerala (India)

In response to the disaster situation in Kerala in 2018, the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) was undertaken in the State. The PDNA is a global methodology developed by the UN, the World Bank and the European Union to assess damage and loss in the wake of disaster and to recommend the recovery needs and strategies.

Between June and August 2018, the State of Kerala received an excessive rainfall leading to the devastating floods and landslides. It is the worst kind of disaster in the recent times and most of the districts have been severely affected. The situation has been designated as a L3 level of disaster, under the National Disaster Management plan.

As a response to the disaster and to provide a systematic assessment of damage, loss and recovery needs, a Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) was initiated in the State in September, 2018. Under the State Government’s leadership at the highest level, PDNA jointly supported by the UN agencies (ILO being one them), represents a standard international tool and methodology. To reflect the concept of “Build Back Better” and resilient recovery, PDNA covered following broad sectors-

• Social Sectors: Housing, Land and Settlements; Health and Nutrition; Education and Child Protection; Cultural Heritage
• Productive Sectors: Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock
• Infrastructure Sectors: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene; Transport; Power; Irrigation and Water Resources
• Cross-Cutting Sectors: Environment; Employment and Livelihoods; Disaster Risk Reduction; Gender Equality and Social Inclusion; Local Governance

The assessment also included Macro-economic impact, Human development impact analysis and recovery strategy. ILO played a very active role in the entire process and contributed towards the assessment of Employment aspect for the cross-cutting sector- “Employment and Livelihoods”. The report brings the next generation of post disaster support focusing on climate change and promoting green jobs, following a “developmental approach” and not just the usual recovery support mechanism.