Damage and Reconstruction Needs Assessment: Online course
To reduce the long-term impact of disasters, and to achieve sustainable growth, affected countries must (i) assign financial resources for prevention and mitigation of the foreseeable impact of disasters, and (ii) ensure that once disasters occur, reconstruction investments incorporate vulnerability-reduction measures. This latter point should be underscored in light of reconstruction efforts undertaken by many countries. In most cases, we observe that vulnerability is reconstructed along with destroyed assets, mainly because of scarce resources available beyond the emergency and humanitarian assistance stage.
This course offers a set of diagnostic tools 1 to measure the type and extent of damage and losses caused by a specific disaster, which can be used immediately after the emergency stage to assess the direct and indirect effects of a catastrophic event, and its implications for the social well-being and economic performance of the affected area. This comprehensive methodology covers the broad range of effects and their cross implications for the economic and social sectors, physical infrastructure, and environmental assets. Based on its estimates, it is possible to determine the reconstruction requirements and identify appropriate reconstruction programs and projects.
Course Format:
The course consists of self-paced modules, discussion forums, exercises, readings, case studies, tests and learning via interaction with program faculty and peers. The Course materials shall be provided in a CD to each participant.
Course Expectations:
Participants are expected to commit 8–10 hours per week (per module) in order to gain the most out of this course in addition to:
• Complete the required reading assignments
• Participate in all online activities. Participation involves posting a minimum of two messages per week that are substantive in nature. The message can be either a new topic or a reply to someone else's message. Participants are encouraged to post more often than twice a week in order to be involved more deeply into topics.
• Complete assignments and end of course project
• Complete course evaluation at the end of the course
Agenda:
The course consists of presentations, case studies, readings and an end of course exercise. During the course, instructors and facilitators from National Institute of Disaster Management will guide the participants and evaluate the project work.
Certificate:
Joint certificate from NIDM and WBI shall be issued to all successful participants of the course.