The iPDNA (IT-enabled Post Disaster Needs Assessment) is an electronic/computer-based tool developed and used to gather, record and store data and information that will be used to assess damages and losses in a locality following disaster events.

The need for an electronic/computer-based tool for PDNA data gathering was highlighted by experiences during Yolanda and other major disasters wherein the lack of baseline data resulted in difficulty in assessing the cost of damages and hindered the implementation of rehabilitation and recovery plans in disaster-stricken areas. Although the guidelines used by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and developed by the World Bank, European Commission and the UN Development Group are comprehensive, the PDNA teams needed an electronic/ computer-based tool to help them access electronic information from databases and record the data they gathered from the field.

The iPDNA was, therefore, developed as part of the Resilience and Preparedness toward Inclusive Development (RAPID) Program intervention to enhance and support the PDNA tool and methodology. The iPDNA uses a mobile/web-based survey application that allows for a faster and more accurate process of data gathering with the data automatically recorded in a desktop computer, which can be extracted and processed.

The data received and submitted/ transmitted are stored in a data server. The tool is compatible and/or inter-operable with DevLIVE+ which can be used as a source of baseline information.