On November 15, 2024, the Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) hosted a workshop on disaster damage assessments with a focus on the Global Rapid post-disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) methodology as part of its ongoing UCPM Knowledge Series.
A priority of DG ECHO’s Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Science and Planning Working Group, the event brought together technical experts, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss innovative tools and methodologies for post-disaster damage assessment. Emphasising the importance of rapid, data-driven insights, the workshop attracted over 90 participants in person and online. The objective of the workshop was to discuss existing needs, current instruments and potential for better-informed more rapid damage assessments that respond to Europe’s needs.
The GRADE methodology, developed by the World Bank and supported by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), can provide an initial estimation of the cost of the physical post-disaster damage incurred by key sectors in approximately two weeks of the disaster. With over 60 assessments conducted since 2015, GRADE has proven instrumental in fast-tracking disaster response operations, enabling partners to plan financial support, prioritise recovery efforts, and coordinate donor activities.
Jaime Abad Pérez from DG ECHO outlined how disaster impact estimation informs DG ECHO’s activities. DG ECHO capitalizes on situational awareness to coordinate deployments and the delivery of assistance during emergencies. Abad Pérez pointed out further how DG ECHO uses various methodologies to assess damage and losses, adapting to the type of disaster—be it earthquakes, cyclones, volcanic eruptions. By integrating demographic and social vulnerability data, as well as field knowledge from its ECHO Field network, DG ECHO tailors its response to the needs of affected populations.
Highlighting the role of collaboration, Abad Pérez noted that DG ECHO works closely with Member States and partners to refine methodologies for impact assessment. The ongoing challenge lies in assessing data uncertainty, particularly when combining multiple datasets—such as remote sensing, field reports, and media—are used. Despite these complexities, DG ECHO’s impact assessments play a critical role in guiding recovery projects.
The workshop continued with presentations on the GRADE methodology from distinguished speakers, including Rashmin Gunasekera, James Daniell, and Bijan Khazai from the GFDRR, sharing their expertise in disaster risk analytics, risk modelling, and decision-support systems. Discussions covered key applications of GRADE, such as its use in the 2024 Kazakhstan floods and the 2023 Turkey earthquakes, as well as gaps in current damage assessment tools.
Participants delved into technical aspects of GRADE, emphasising its ability to integrate diverse datasets—from historical damage records and remote sensing to socioeconomic information—into actionable insights. GRADE’s utility extends beyond emergency response, offering benchmarks for long-term risk assessment and vulnerability reduction.
The workshop also addressed specific challenges, such as validating data from different sources, accounting for political biases, and aligning methodologies across Member States. Innovative technologies, like satellite imaging and civil engineering expertise, were explored as potential solutions to enhance the speed and accuracy of damage assessments. Participants also highlighted the need for efficient support systems to identify trustworthy data during emergencies.
Building on the workshop’s insights, the participants emphasised the value of refining tools like GRADE and integrating best practices in impact estimation into EU civil protection and humanitarian aid activities.
The event concluded with a forward-looking discussion on benchmarking rapid assessment tools, comparing and improving respective disaster impact estimations, and fostering collaboration across organisations and sectors. By investing in knowledge-sharing initiatives like this workshop, the EU is taking steps to build a more resilient Europe in the face of increasing disaster risks.
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