Background
Under the Gujarat Emergency Earthquake Reconstruction Project, ADPC is providing consulting services to the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) for a study on developing a methodology for Damage and Loss Assessment in Gujarat. This 9-month study, commenced in 20th January 2004 aims to assist the authorities in State of Gujarat in the setting up of a comprehensive disaster damage and loss assessment system, through the improvement and expansion of existing mechanisms, and to provide initial steps towards its implementation through capacity building

Objectives of the Study
The objective of this study is to enhance capacity of Gujarat state for assessing damage and losses following disasters through the following key components:

·    A comprehensive post disaster damage assessment methodology (including ready-to-use formats for Rapid and Detailed assessment of damage to physical, social and economic assets)

·    A loss assessment methodology for interpreting this damage into financial/economic losses

·    A detailed training strategy on dissemination of use of this methodology

·    Delivery of a training program to enable key personnel to use the methodology.

Specific Objectives
Three specific objectives of the assignment are as follows:

·    Following the occurrence of disaster, to devise a methodology for the systematic and consistent assessment and collection of data on the damage caused to physical structures, infrastructure, the environment and social and economic systems from which an accurate assessment of financial losses can be determined;

·    To develop a methodology for the assessment of financial losses derived from damage identified;

·    To develop an integrated post-disaster reporting format covering damage and loss assessment (i.e. for rapid, interim and detailed reports) along with a comprehensive training package targeted to building the capacity of key, identified experts and officials from the State.

Activities
As identified during the Inception phase of the project and as enumerated in the inception report submitted to Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority for approval, the study will comprise of the following four key activities in order to achieve the above objectives:

Activity 1: Institutional Mechanisms and Training Needs for Damage and Loss Assessment
Activity 2: Improving Methodology for Damage Assessment
Activity 3: Developing Methodology for Loss Assessment
Activity 4: Capacity Building for Damage and Loss Assessment

Implementing Team
A team of international consultants representing ADPC and other leading organizations such as Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Center for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT), Ahmedabad will be undertaking the development of damage and loss assessment models for both natural and human-made hazards and the capacity building of disaster management personnel in the State of Gujarat. For more information on this project, please contact Mr. Loy Rego (ajrego@adpc.net) and/or Supriya Mehta (supriya@adpc.net).