The launch of the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) following the Dniester river pollution crisis
Following the crisis of pollution of the Dniester River with petroleum products in the spring of 2026, the National Crisis Management Center (NCMC) initiated the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) process in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and other UN entities.
In line with the international practice, PDNA is a structured post-crisis assessment mechanism that involves assessing the impact of disasters and major crises, estimating damage and losses, and identifying recovery needs and resilience-building measures.
Thus, instead of remaining only at the reaction level, the Republic of Moldova advances towards a model in which the impact of crises is rigorously evaluated, and the lessons learned are transformed into long-term resilience measures in accordance with art. 22 of Moldovan Law no. 248/2025 regarding the management of crisis situations.
The process is coordinated at the national level by the NCMC and involves a working group consisting of approximately 40 members, bringing together representatives of 18 authorities and specialized institutions, as well as approximately 10 international experts. The working group is divided into sectoral fields, including: environment; water, sanitation and health; agriculture; disaster risk reduction; human, gender and livelihood impact; macroeconomic impact.
Activation of the PDNA occurs when the necessary conditions have been met to conduct a full assessment, including stabilization of information flows from the field and coordination with development partners. The evaluation will take place during June 2026, through a structured process of data collection and analysis.
The launch of the mechanism marks the second activation of the PDNA process in the Republic of Moldova. The first assessment of this type was carried out in 2010, following severe floods that affected several localities in the country. After more than 15 years, the Republic of Moldova is reactivating this strategic tool, in order to analyze the impact of a complex crisis and to substantiate the necessary measures for recovery and prevention of future risks.
Beyond the analysis of the current situation, the exercise also has a systemic learning role: testing the way of working; aligning methodologies between institutions and partners; identifying practices that can be replicated and applied in future crisis situations; as well as improving national response and recovery capacity.
At the same time, the conclusions of the exercise will contribute to the definition of a national vision regarding the strengthening of the resilience of the critical infrastructure associated with water resources, with the objective of reducing vulnerabilities and increasing the capacity to prevent, prepare and respond to risks that may affect aquatic systems and the communities near them.
