Sources of information: needs for technical expertise

The integration of all elements involved in risk assessment is a complex, multidisciplinary task. The resident representative, in collaboration with other members of the UN-DMT, should:

a) Determine whether the relevant government ministries or other organizations have already compiled relevant risk assessment data, or whether they are capable of doing so.

b) Review the available information, and identify any gaps or inadequacies in the available information.

Where more data collection and analysis is required, the resident representative and the UN-DMT should:

a) Identify in-country and regional institutions that could be approached to gather and consolidate the required data.

b) Encourage the Government to begin the required studies.

c) Define requirements for technical assistance in data gathering and analysis, where needed.

Technical assistance from UNDRO should be requested as necessary.

The analysis should be undertaken before the Advisory Note is prepared, where possible. With Government and UNDP Headquarters consent, SPR funds may be made available for this purpose if required.

The analysis and the consequent discussions with the government and other concerned agencies should lead to the definition of a strategy that addresses disaster-related issues in the country program.