The COVID-19 pandemic crisis emphasized the crucial role that the national and local governments play in mitigation and response to this type of complex crises, which impacts are cascading across the regions, countries and territories, challenging their preparedness and response systems and capabilities.

This Assessment Study commissioned by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) through its Istanbul Regional Hub (UNDP) and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) through its regional office for Europe and Central Asia. The study provides an overview and findings of the comprehensive analysis of the role and effectiveness of the National Disaster Management Authorities (NDMAs) across the South Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia region (Europe and Central Asia - ECIS) in the response and recovery efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Its findings aim to support UNDP, UNDRR, UNCTs, NDMAs and other stakeholders in the region to draw lessons from the implementation approach to the COVID-19 response and forward-looking recommendations for the prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response to the future pandemic/biohazards crisis incorporating best practices and lessons learnt, identified needs and resources, while ensuring the sustainability of the actions.