Arab States strengthen recovery readiness through regional exchange on risk-informed recovery
As the Arab region confronts increasingly complex and interconnected risks, including earthquakes, floods, droughts, storms, conflict-related destruction and displacement which are all recovery systems are being placed under growing pressure. Although investments in preparedness, emergency response and early warning have expanded, recovery planning often begins only after disasters occur, when institutions are already working under significant time, financial and operational constraints.
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction organized a regional virtual webinar to strengthen recovery readiness across the Arab States. The event brought together National Sendai Framework Focal Points, representatives of national disaster-risk management authorities, relevant ministries and local governments. It provided a platform to examine how institutional, technical and financial arrangements can be established before disasters to support faster, more inclusive and risk-informed recovery.
The webinar introduced UNDRR’s Recovery Readiness Assessment Tool, which enables countries and cities to assess their preparedness for recovery, identify institutional and operational gaps and prioritize actions before disasters occur. Participants reviewed the tool’s assessment components, stakeholder-engagement process, implementation roadmap and potential application at national and local levels. Discussions also examined how recovery readiness can be institutionalized within national disaster-risk reduction strategies and aligned with sustainable-development and resilience objectives.
Participants exchanged national and regional experiences, identified common challenges and explored how the assessment methodology could be adapted to different country contexts. The event highlighted the importance of coordination among institutions responsible for preparedness, response and recovery, as well as the need for technical assistance, capacity development and peer learning. By establishing recovery policies, financing mechanisms, coordination structures and capacities in advance, countries can restore essential services more quickly, protect vulnerable populations and ensure that recovery reduces future risks rather than recreating pre-existing vulnerabilities.