Workshop on rapid assessment of damages and losses

In Cooperation between UPDRRC and MLG:

A Workshop on Rapid Assessment of Damages and Losses

Upon coordination with the prime minister, the Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction Centre (UPDRRC) at An-Najah National University organized a workshop on the methodology of Post Disaster Rapid Assessment of Damages and losses in the light of the international relevant standards. The Ministry of Local Government (MLG) followed-up the preparations for this important workshop, which was conducted on February 27th in order to attract the active participation of all concerned sectors in the next series of training sessions to be organized in partnership between UPDRRC and MLG. In this workshop, 50 persons had participated including director generals, directors and heads of departments of all the departments of MLG in all West Bank governorates.

The workshop was opened by a welcoming statement by Dr. Abdelkiarim Sedr, deputy assistant of the minister on ministers’ behalf who highlighted the aims of this event and indicated the importance of it in building on the expected outcomes to organize the focused training in rapid assessment of damages in different sectors. Dr. Sedr stressed on the importance of the relation between MLG and UPDRRC and appreciated the important efforts and role of the center in reducing the risks of earthquakes, especially those efforts in the framework of the Seismic Risk Mitigation in Palestine Project (SASPARM).

The workshop included a presentation by Dr. Jalal Dabbeek, director of UPDRRC about the rapid assessment of damages and losses in post disaster situation. Dr. Dabbeek’s presentation started with an introduction about aims and activities of SASPARM and its partners nationally and internationally. The presentation focused on the factors that affect the process of risk assessment in addition to relation of that with risk management. He then moved to discuss the used methodologies in conducting the rapid assessment of damages and losses in all different affected sectors, most importantly; electricity, water and sanitation, housing, agriculture, industry, commerce, health, education, and various aspects of infra-structure.

Based on the importance of unifying the methodologies of assessment in all governorates and in all sectors of services, the participants were urged to organize local similar events to train there teams. The presentation was concluded by examples of assessment experiences that had been conducted in a number of countries after disasters.

Based on the outcomes and recommendations of the workshop that followed discussions about practical issues in relation to presented topics, different training events will be organized for all sectors in ministries, governmental and non-governmental institutions.