Beirut Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) — August 2020

Immediately after the massive blast that rocked the port of Beirut on August 4, the World Beirut-RDNA-ReportENBank Group (WBG) in cooperation with the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) launched a Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) to estimate the impact on the population, physical assets, infrastructure and service delivery. The Beirut RDNA uses ground data and cutting-edge remote tools and technology to assess (i) damages to physical assets, (ii) ensuing economic losses, and (iii) recovery and reconstruction needs.

The report builds on extensive stakeholder feedback and engagement meetings organized with concerned government entities, civil society organizations, NGOs, INGOs, professional associations, private sector organizations, think tanks, youth groups, donors and UN agencies.

The RDNA recommends a framework for Reform, Recovery, and Reconstruction (the ‘3Rs’) to build back a better Lebanon based on principles of transparency, inclusion and accountability. The 3Rs framework combines people-centered recovery and reconstruction interventions with structural reforms that include macroeconomic stabilization, governance reforms, the private sector operating environment and ensuring human security.

Key Findings

Given the rapid nature of this assessment, the report offers low and high range for values of physical damages, economic losses and priority needs for Calendar Year 2020 and Calendar Year 2021.

  • Damages: US$3.8-4.6 billion, with housing and culture sectors most severely affected.
  • Losses: US$2.9-3.5 billion, with housing being the most hit followed by transport and culture.
  • Priority Recovery and Reconstruction Needs: US$1.8-2.0 billion, with transport needs highest followed by culture and housing.

The report includes a preliminary assessment of: (1) losses in economic activity caused by the destruction of physical capital; (2) trade disruptions resulting in higher transaction costs of external trade; and (3) the loss of fiscal revenues and of further tax exemptions approved by the Government.

The sectors covered in the report are:

  • Macro-Economic Impact
  • 5 Social Sectors: Housing; Health; Education; Culture; and Social Protection and Jobs
  • 4 Infrastructure Sectors: Transport and Port; Energy; Water Supply and Sanitation; and Municipal Services
  • 3 Productive Sectors: Commerce and Industry; Financial Sector; and Tourism
  • 3 Cross-cutting Sectors: Governance; Social Sustainability and Inclusion; and Environment

Damage, Losses, and Public Sector Needs by Sector (in US$ million)

Sector Damages Losses Total Needs
Low High Low High Low High
Productive and Financial Sectors
Commerce and Industry 105 125 285 345 165 295
Tourism 170 205 190 235 170 210
Financial 10 15 35 45
Productive and Financial
Sectors Total
285 345 475 580 370 460
Social Sectors
Social Protection 35 40
Housing 1,875 2,290 945 1,155 220 265
Education 15 20 70 85 10
Cultural Heritage 1,010 1,235 400 490 250 310
Health 95 115 200 245 65 80
Social Sectors Total 2,995 3,660 1,615 1,975 570 705
Infrastructure Sectors
Water and Sanitation 40 45 5 45 60
Energy 40 50 55 70 55 70
Transport 280 345 580 710 425 520
Municipal Services 30 35 75 90 40 50
Infrastructure Sectors Total 390 475 710 875 565 700
Cross-Cutting Sectors
Governance 65 80 65 80 180 215
Environment 20 25 75 100
Social 25 35
Cross-Cutting Sectors Total 85 105 65 80 280 250
Grand Total 3,755 4,585 2,865 3,510 1,785 2,215
Facebook