The PDNA is an approach to analyse the effects of disasters and their macroeconomic impact for the purpose of identifying recovery needs and estimating the cost of addressing those needs.

The use of the PDNA methodology provides a wide array of partners (including governments, international organizations and NGOs) with a common platform for analysis and action, defined from a human development, socio- TC Harold & COVID-19 PDNA Volume A Summary Report 2 cultural, economic, environmental and infrastructural perspective. The end result is a comprehensive picture of post-disaster conditions and the distinct needs and priorities of different sectors, social groups and sub-groups. The PDNA, as an agreed estimate of needs, recognises the central importance of financial support from international partners. The cost estimates provide a starting point for funding negotiations rather than an attempt to pinpoint precise recovery budgets. 

More broadly, however, the limitations that uncertainty imposes upon us in the age of COVID-19 and the competing demands on domestic resources means that these assessments and the verification of these findings will likely be a continuing process. Necessity dictates that this does not hold up the financial support required to help the people of Vanuatu through this crisis.

Qualitative Data and Ground-Truthing our PDNA Findings

Part of the approach to this PDNA involved local story-telling. Members of Parliament, provincial and municipal councilors, public servants and teams of workers from non-governmental organisations, civil society, the private sector and international organizations witnessed firsthand suffering and hardship and heard many accounts of it. The stories that were heard informed the recovery narrative and will shape policy, influence decision-making and guide implementation efforts