Strategic Recovery Planning in Focus at Expert Workshop in Sarajevo

A PDNA workshop was held as part of the Joint Program 'Disaster Risk Reduction for Sustainable Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

May 21, 2025

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina organized a specialized workshop today dedicated to Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), aimed at strengthening national capacities for effective damage assessment and strategic recovery planning following natural disasters.

The workshop gathered representatives from all levels of government and relevant institutions across Bosnia and Herzegovina, including entity, cantonal, and municipal ministries, civil protection agencies, as well as key stakeholders from local disaster risk reduction (DRR) platforms.

Through comprehensive discussions, participants examined the origins, practical application, and limitations of the PDNA methodology, analyzing existing frameworks and sectoral practices for assessing damage, losses, and recovery needs. Particular attention was given to differentiating between the effects and impacts of disasters—an essential component for accurate recovery planning - as well as to techniques for data collection and strategies for prioritization. The workshop emphasized the importance of a strategic approach to recovery planning and the development of final PDNA reports.

A conference room filled with seated participants, listening to a presenter.

Disasters often trigger numerous parallel assessments conducted with varying methodologies across multiple sectors. This diversity can lead to confusion and hinder the recovery process. A unified, comprehensive, and multi-sectoral approach to post-disaster assessments is essential to ensure balanced recovery in key areas such as infrastructure, housing, livelihoods, and community services.

A speaker in a suit presents at a conference, with an audience and projector screen in view. — Žarko Petrović, DRR expert, UNDP Srbija

The workshop was facilitated by Žarko Petrović, a disaster risk reduction expert from UNDP Serbia, further enhancing regional cooperation and knowledge exchange between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Participants engaged in interactive sessions and practical exercises designed to build skills and competencies for effective recovery planning. The workshop also underscored the importance of inter-institutional cooperation and coordination in strengthening disaster risk management capacities and building long-term community resilience in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This activity was organized within the framework of the Joint Programme “Disaster Risk Reduction for Sustainable Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina” - an initiative supported and funded by the Government of Switzerland, the United Nations, and institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.