International experts and members of Ukrainian ministries start cooperation to assess recovery needs of Donbas

Experts from the World Bank, European Investment Bank, UN and European Union began a two-day workshop for representatives of Ukraine’s state executive bodies on "Needs Assessment of the Recovery of Eastern Ukraine and Restoration of Peace. Phase 1".

During the workshop, international experts will provide representatives of Ukrainian ministries with overview of methodologies to assess the needs that arise after the crisis and emergencies, as well as share their experiences of previous estimates on the example of Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Yemen and Lebanon.

"The deadlines for implementing the tasks that stand before us are quite short. And we, along with responsible representatives of the central authorities and stakeholders must meet the deadline. The first phase of the needs assessment should be completed by November 29," Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Volodymyr Kistion said.

The results of the first phase, according to him, will include an assessment of short- and medium-term needs and priorities of the recovery of the regions affected by the conflict and have to become the basis of the development of the Programme of the recovery of Donbas and a scheduled donor conference in early 2015.

The participants are working in three groups that will be formed according to three thematic components of the needs assessment restore Eastern Ukraine: infrastructure and social services; social stability; restoration of peace and security; economic recovery.

It was reported that from 29 September to 3 October a joint mission of the United Nations, World Bank, European Investment Bank and European Union at the invitation of the Government of Ukraine carried out the first stage of work on the needs assessment for the recovery of Donbas, aimed at obtaining a better understanding of the current needs in Eastern Ukraine.