Overview of the Damage Assessment
and Needs Analysis Process

The assessment process used in IDA follows agreed international recommendations on
categorization of damage supported by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency
(CDERA) and Regional National Offices of Disaster Management in the Caribbean.
Effective and efficient damage assessment must be carefully planned and managed. A sequence
of activities is involved to collect, collate and analyze data under the conditions of an impact or
emergency – even a disaster. As a consequnce, each activity muust be planned, well learned,
well, rehearsed and well executed.
The diagram below illustrates the Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis process in outline.