Human Development
Recovery Needs Assessments
(HRNA)
United Nations Development Programme
Bureau for Crisis Prevention & Recovery
Bangkok, Thailand
November 2010
Presentation Aim
◌ To introduce and justify Human Development
Recovery Needs Assessments (HRNA) as a key
element of PDNAs
◌ To provide examples from Asia of recent
approaches to HRNA
Presentation Order
◌ What is HRNA and why is it important?
◌ Who does HRNAs and how are they done?
◌ Where can I find resources on HRNA?
◌ What are examples of HRNA in Asia?
◌ What are the lessons and challenges from
recent experiences with HRNA?
What is HRNA?
◌ HRNA is shorthand for “Human Development
Recovery Needs Assessments”
◌ HRNA are assessments that determine the
requirements for the full resilient recovery of
human development for affected populations,
including the restoration of governance
systems
◌ “Resilient” recovery means that disaster risks
are reduced (Sometimes called “holistic
recovery” or “sustainable recovery”)
Recovery of Human Development:
Definition
Measures to restore people’s
abilities to recover their full
potential to lead productive,
creative lives in accordance with
their needs and interests.
In reference to Human Development
Recovery and Human Development Paths
Human Development Index (HDI)
MDG
Pre-Crisis Development Path
Pre disaster HDI
Recovery Path
Relief
6 to 12 months
5 to 10 years
Time
Why recovery of human development?
◌ Development experts have learned importance of multidisciplinary approaches to twin pillars of economic
development and human development.
◌ Neither approach replaces the other; two
complimentary streams of analysis (DaLA and HRNA)
◌ HRNA reflects concerns/priorities of individuals and
stakeholders viz DaLA’s orientation to national accounts
◌ Relationship between DaLA and actual recovery needs
not straightforward; governments requesting more
analysis to ensure recovery of human development
Why? continued...
◌ The needs and priorities identified by the
affected communities themselves are neglected
◌ Insufficient attention is often given to the social
impacts of disasters
◌ Local knowledge, resources and experience are
not adequately addressed
◌ While macro-level socio-economic data is often
collected, much information is missed at the
meso- and micro-levels
◌ Important opportunities may be missed
Who does HRNA?
◌ Government led; Government sectoral
specialists; Line
ministries/departments/offices
◌ PDNA sector teams
◌ Supported by specialised UN agencies as per
mandates, global conventions, etc.
◌ Informed by and builds on humanitarian
institutions and processes
◌ And, disaster-affected key stakeholders…
What is the focus of HRNAs?
◌Effects of disaster on social/community/
household functions & processes
◌Priorities for recovery interventions, sequencing
and focus areas
◌Needs for resources for interventions in monetary
terms
◌Capacities required to meet recovery objectives
(& measures to address gaps)
◌Risk reduction measures to ensure resilient
recovery
HRNA for each sector:
Should estimates impacts and requirements for:
 Restoration of governance systems
 Measures to ensure access for all to reconstructed
infrastructure
 Approaches to fully restore livelihood systems
 Pressing basic needs and services
 Re-establishment of community functioning
 Support spontaneous recovery
 Post disaster capacity building
 Enhancing resilience against & reducing disaster risks
Where to find resources?
◌ Guidance is found in “Sectoral and Thematic
Methodologies for Assessing Human Impacts and
Recovery Needs” (coming soon!)
◌ Chapters can be found here:
www.recoveryplatform.org/PDNA
◌ For example: Agriculture; Community Infrastructure;
Culture; Disaster Risk Reduction; Education;
Environment; Gender; Governance; Health; Housing,
Land, Property and Human Settlements; Information
Management; Livelihoods, Employment and Income;
Use of Geospatial Information and Satellite Derived
Products…and more…
www.recoveryplatform.org/PDNA
Country example, HRNA - Indonesia
◌ HRNA embedded in legal framework
◌ Linked to financing facility
◌ Adapting global guidance for country context
◌ Improved through application and post-crisis
learning
◌ Committed government leadership
◌ UN-supported
Country example, HRNA - Myanmar
◌ 2008 Cyclone Nargis
◌ Focus on affected communities’ perspectives
through Village Tract Assessment
◌ Part of the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA)
coordinated by ASEAN
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*
*
*
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Perceptions of why the disaster was so bad.
Proportion of deaths by age and gender.
Support needed by communities.
Priorities for repairing infrastructure.
Household expenditure priorities.
VTA: 30 most affected townships
Loss of
Salination of ponds
◌ food stocks
Sanitation situation
◌ agricultural income
Damage to schools
◌ fisheries income
Access to credit
◌ livestock income
◌ seed stocks
◌ shelter
Levels of destruction
Changing nature of
temporary shelter
Levels of psychological
stress
Reach of humanitarian
efforts
Country example, Pakistan
◌ 2010 Monsoon Floods
◌ No PDNA…but “Damage and Needs
Assessment” led by IFIs…
◌ UN: Focus on impact of floods on human
development, using MDGs as proxies
Gross and Net Primary Enrollment
110.0%
Pre-flood pathway
100.0%
GER
Pre-flood level
90.0%
Post-flood pathway
80.0%
70.0%
NER
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Pre-flood NER projection
Post-flood NER projection
Pre-flood NER level
Pre-flood GER projectoins
Post-flood GER projections
Pre-flood GER level
2014
2015
MDG 2: Survival Rate (Primary Education)
80.0%
Survival rate
75.0%
70.0%
Post-flood level
65.0%
60.0%
55.0%
50.0%
Post-flood pathway
Pre-flood pathway
45.0%
40.0%
2001
2003
Pre-flood projection
2005
2007
2009
Post-flood projection
2011
2013
Pre-flood level
2015
Lessons & Challenges of HRNA
◌ Best to prepare for recovery planning before disasters
◌ Methodologies evolving rapidly, limited dissemination
◌ An approach versus a single methodology
◌ Different institutions have different expectations/uses of
PDNA materials, including DaLA and HRNA; can be
challenging to reconcile and prioritise
◌ DaLA can consume most of the available PDNA technical
resources; experts must be dedicated to HRNA
◌ Without champions, voices of disaster-affected
communities do not inform recovery processes
◌ Without HRNA leaders, “PDNAs” can be limited to DaLA
◌ Timing is challenging, given humanitarian imperatives
Thank you
◌ Questions, Observations or Comments?