GFDRR is involved in every major disaster, helping affected countries assess damage as well as economic losses and needs, and planning recovery. From typhoons in the Philippines to earthquakes in Nepal, GFDRR has a record of supporting governments to rebuild lives and create a safer future through resilient recovery. It works with the disaster-prone countries before events in order to enhance their readiness for post-disaster recovery. This is achieved in close coordination with the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), and the World Bank, a partnership that has produced guides and tools for conducting post-disaster needs assessments (PDNA) and developing disaster recovery frameworks (DRF). 

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Highlights from Resilient Recovery

Publication

Post-disaster needs assessments have been critical to ensuring resilient recovery.

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Publication

A tool for policymakers and other stakeholders in formulating a framework for disaster recovery.

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Publication

Drawing on lessons learned from the Fuego eruption to inform policy reform.

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Pillars

Pillars of our Resilient Recovery Work

Strengthen Recovery Systems

The program offers on-demand technical assistance to disaster-prone countries to improve recovery preparedness and build institutional capacity to efficiently address post-disaster challenges.

  • It regularly runs capacity building programs — on conducting post-disaster assessments, developing recovery frameworks and planning recovery — for vulnerable countries and regional organizations.
Nadia Islam
Assessing Needs and Planning Recovery

The program spearheads the World Bank’s post disaster engagement by serving as the focal point for PDNAs, government-led assessments of damages, economic losses and needs from natural disasters that also outline a recovery strategy.

  • In response to client demand, the program has developed an innovative rapid assessment methodology that significantly reduces the time and effort needed to assess damages. It also can contribute to a PDNA or serve as a substitute for events that do not warrant one that is full-scale. This method uses technology, such as remotely sensed data and social media analytics, and has routinely been used for conflict zones, where access is difficult.
Nadia Islam
Ensuring Coordination

The Resilient Recovery program supports coordination between the World Bank, the UN and the EU, in close consultation with national governments. The aim is to ensure clear lines of communication and a shared approach during the potentially chaotic post-disaster period.

  • The three agencies adopted a 2008 declaration, putting in place standard protocols for post-crisis responses that bring all operations, from assessment to recovery, under the leadership of the affected country’s government.
Nadia Islam
Leverage Financing for Recovery

The Resilient Recovery program helps countries leverage financing for recovery. Since 2012, the program has helped raise an estimated $5 billion dollars from the World Bank and comparable resources from other international partners. The support provided enhances the clients’ ability to muster the external financial resources often needed to implement an effective post-disaster recovery.

Nadia Islam
Resilience Through Recovery

Leveraging the heightened awareness of risks in the aftermath of disaster, the program helps governments prepare for future disasters. This includes promoting a “build back better” approach to infrastructure as well as supporting governments in strengthening recovery systems so that they are financially and institutionally prepared in the event of disaster.

  • In partnership with the EU and UN, the Resilient Recovery program launched the Disaster Recovery Framework Guide, global guidance outlining proven tactics for achieving effective recovery and resilience building.
Nadia Islam
Resilient Recovery Grants Around the World
Explore more of our work.