Recovery for development: A multi-dimensional, practice-oriented framework for transformative change post-disaster

This paper focuses on the lessons emerging for recovery-related theory and practice deriving from the pandemic. Disasters are a primary influence in the global development landscape given their unequal impacts across society and calls for transformative change in their aftermath. Recovering from disasters is one component of development that is coming under scrutiny. This is especially so in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, whose scale, scope, and cascading effects mean that the uncertain prospects for recovery will be complicated and endure long term.

The researchers suggest a three-step process using a systems approach to develop a recovery strategy that operationalizes the framework and addresses the complexity of long-term recovery for development. They have introduced a multi-dimensional, practice-oriented framework to support those working on recovery planning and implementation at a local level. The framework captures the interconnected issues across six principal domains – communities, economic, infrastructure, environment, health, and governance – representing the key areas of impact around which recovery strategies and renewal initiates can be progressed.