Training engineers in Ukraine to assess damaged buildings

Engineers in Ukraine need the expertise to assess and repair damage
We’ve also trained experienced structural engineers to facilitate knowledge sharing for the long term, through Training of Trainers. This in turn increases the number of buildings safely and effectively assessed for damage by competent, effective teams.
Focusing on repairing buildings is a strategic way to provide support in Ukraine
There is a critical need for more in-country resources and capacity in assessing and repairing housing and infrastructure.
Focusing on repairing buildings wherever possible is a cost-effective option compared to traditional humanitarian shelter responses. It can also provide more dignified and sustainable shelter for affected populations. Such repairs necessitate appropriate structural damage assessments by qualified engineers. However, there is a severe shortage of specialists with the necessary expertise to conduct these critical damage assessments and repairs in Ukraine.
Damage to infrastructure in Ukraine is considerable, with large-scale damage to residential infrastructure. Reconstruction will be a mammoth task, likely to exceed available resources or capacity. It is therefore essential that, when possible, buildings are repaired rather than reconstructed. Repair is cheaper than reconstruction, although requiring appropriate structural damage assessment expertise by engineers to take appropriate decisions.
There aren’t enough certified damage assessors in Ukraine
Legislation in Ukraine determines that reconstruction efforts and damage assessment of buildings be done by certified assessors. However, due to the breadth of the damage to infrastructure, there are not sufficient specialists to conduct the assessments. The problem is exacerbated with many professionals fleeing the country, being displaced or mobilised for military service. The government in Ukraine has three damage assessment commissions as follows:
- Commission A – To conduct a rapid damage assessment and report to the government.
- Commission B – To conduct a more detailed structural damage assessment.
- Commission C – To conduct compensational damage assessment.
These commissions work to support the few certified damage assessors who are left in the country. The members of the damage assessment commissions are largely engineers, coming from diverse professional backgrounds. These personnel carry out damage assessments, submitting their reports to the certified damage assessor. However, many of these commission members, particularly the noncertified junior civil engineers and non-engineers, lack the necessary skills to conduct damage assessments efficiently and professionally. Therefore, as per discussions with the damage assessment commissions and the Shelter Cluster in Ukraine, there is a pressing need to provide training on structural damage assessment of war-damaged buildings.
We’re responding to demand within the Ukrainian Commission
