Tripoli, 4/September/2020 –    In the aftermath of disasters, affected countries need to invest significant resources to address recovery needs. These should be guided by a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) that estimates damages and losses and identifies the needs of the affected population as the first step towards developing a holistic recovery programme that promotes equity and inclusion.

Through the Stabilization Facility for Libya (SFL), led by national and local institutions with support from 13 international partners and the Government of Libya, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has organized a workshop with officials from the Ministry of Planning as well as representatives from municipalities most affected by armed conflict in Tripoli: Abo Salem, Ein Zara, Sawani, Sabaiaa and Kasir Ben Ghasher to support them technically and provide them with guidance throughout the process of data collection, verification and analysis to undertake a first implementation of UNDP PDNA in Libya.

The Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Planning, Mr. Essam Garba, said: “This meeting comes to preface the way for the needs assessment process in the municipalities that have been affected by the conflict, to consider the urgent priorities and rapid response mechanisms, and at the same time to assess the future needs of these municipalities. We hope that in the upcoming period we will be able to implement a broader and more comprehensive assessment process for all Libyan regions and municipalities, and to start the process of reconstruction and development in all parts of our beloved Libya”.

UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Gerardo Noto, stated: “UNDP is very excited to initiate PDNA implementation in Libya, based on a solid methodology applied in many countries that suffered natural disasters and conflict affected areas. The PDNA exercise is led by the national institutions, that will build up their technical capacities to assess the full extent of the impact, define the needs for recovery, and serve as the basis for designing a recovery strategy and guide donors funding.”  Mr. Noto added: “This first experience looks forward to providing support to assess and plan the reconstruction effort in South Tripoli. It is a first step to be followed by its implementation in all Libya.”

This assessment will provide information on the damage occurred and the impact on the community and will allow the respective municipalities and line ministries to work together to develop recovery plan/strategy and prioritize sectors based on community needs. It also will help the international actors to better understand the needs and coordinate efforts for support.

For more information, or media interviews please contact: media.ly@undp.org