IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i3p1044-d1578510.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Developing the Recovery Gap Index: A Comprehensive Tool for Assessing National Disaster Recovery Capacities

Author

Listed:
  • Alessandro Borre

    (Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Via all’Opera Pia 13, 16145 Genova, Italy
    CIMA Research Foundation, Via Armando Magliotto 2, 17100 Savona, Italy)

  • Tatiana Ghizzoni

    (CIMA Research Foundation, Via Armando Magliotto 2, 17100 Savona, Italy)

  • Eva Trasforini

    (CIMA Research Foundation, Via Armando Magliotto 2, 17100 Savona, Italy)

  • Daria Ottonelli

    (CIMA Research Foundation, Via Armando Magliotto 2, 17100 Savona, Italy)

  • Roberto Rudari

    (CIMA Research Foundation, Via Armando Magliotto 2, 17100 Savona, Italy)

  • Luca Ferraris

    (Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Via all’Opera Pia 13, 16145 Genova, Italy
    CIMA Research Foundation, Via Armando Magliotto 2, 17100 Savona, Italy)

Abstract

The increasing frequency and severity of extreme natural events, along with their escalating impacts, highlight the urgent need for robust tools to assess and strengthen national capacities for disaster preparedness and recovery. In this context, this paper introduces one of these tools, called the Recovery Gap Index (RGI), a comprehensive composite index designed to quantify and evaluate the post-extreme natural event response and recovery capabilities at the country level. The tool addresses the need for a systematic approach to quantify resilience and evaluate the impacts of consecutive events on vulnerable areas. The RGI synthesizes data from three well-established indices: the World Risk Index, INFORM, and Global Infrastructure Risk Model and Index (GIRI), covering critical dimensions related to sociodemographic factors, infrastructure, governance, technology, and economic resilience. By extracting key parameters from these diverse indices and aggregating them, the RGI provides a detailed assessment of each nation’s ability to manage the aftermath of extreme natural events. The index findings reveal significant regional disparities in recovery capacities, with European countries exhibiting stronger resilience, whereas many African and Asian nations face substantial challenges. Furthermore, this study proposes several potential future enhancements, such as the incorporation of early warning systems and insurance coverage metrics, aimed at improving its accuracy and practical application. The RGI aims to be a valuable tool for policymakers, disaster management professionals, and stakeholders, enabling them to make informed decisions and implement targeted interventions to further enhance global disaster resilience.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Borre & Tatiana Ghizzoni & Eva Trasforini & Daria Ottonelli & Roberto Rudari & Luca Ferraris, 2025. "Developing the Recovery Gap Index: A Comprehensive Tool for Assessing National Disaster Recovery Capacities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-29, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:1044-:d:1578510
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/3/1044/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/3/1044/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. J. Birkmann & O. Cardona & M. Carreño & A. Barbat & M. Pelling & S. Schneiderbauer & S. Kienberger & M. Keiler & D. Alexander & P. Zeil & T. Welle, 2013. "Framing vulnerability, risk and societal responses: the MOVE framework," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 67(2), pages 193-211, June.
    2. Cools, Jan & Innocenti, Demetrio & O’Brien, Sarah, 2016. "Lessons from flood early warning systems," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 117-122.
    3. Carlotta Rodriquez & José Manuel Mendes & Xavier Romão, 2022. "Identifying the Importance of Disaster Resilience Dimensions across Different Countries Using the Delphi Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-29, July.
    4. Colin Raymond & Radley M. Horton & Jakob Zscheischler & Olivia Martius & Amir AghaKouchak & Jennifer Balch & Steven G. Bowen & Suzana J. Camargo & Jeremy Hess & Kai Kornhuber & Michael Oppenheimer & A, 2020. "Understanding and managing connected extreme events," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 10(7), pages 611-621, July.
    5. Manyena, Bernard & Machingura, Fortunate & O'Keefe, Phil, 2019. "Disaster Resilience Integrated Framework for Transformation (DRIFT): A new approach to theorising and operationalising resilience," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 1-1.
    6. W J Wouter Botzen & Olivier Deschenes & Mark Sanders, 2019. "The Economic Impacts of Natural Disasters: A Review of Models and Empirical Studies," Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 13(2), pages 167-188.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Pablo Aznar-Crespo & Antonio Aledo & Joaquín Melgarejo-Moreno & Arturo Vallejos-Romero, 2021. "Adapting Social Impact Assessment to Flood Risk Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-27, March.
    2. Senni, Chiara Colesanti & von Jagow, Adrian, 2023. "Water risks for hydroelectricity generation," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 119256, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Hugo S. Gonçalves & Sérgio Moro, 2023. "On the economic impacts of COVID‐19: A text mining literature analysis," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(1), pages 375-394, February.
    4. Maria M. Laurito & Elizabeth Frankenberg & Duncan Thomas, 2022. "Effects of Housing Aid on Psychosocial Health after a Disaster," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-18, June.
    5. Pelli, Martino & Tschopp, Jeanne & Bezmaternykh, Natalia & Eklou, Kodjovi M., 2023. "In the eye of the storm: Firms and capital destruction in India," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    6. Damette, Olivier & Mathonnat, Clément & Thavard, Julien, 2024. "Climate and sovereign risk: The Latin American experience with strong ENSO events," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    7. Stads, Gert-Jan & Wiebe, Keith D. & Nin-Pratt, Alejandro & Sulser, Timothy B. & Benfica, Rui & Reda, Fasil & Khetarpal, Ravi, 2022. "Research for the future: Investments for efficiency, sustainability, and equity," IFPRI book chapters, in: 2022 Global food policy report: Climate change and food systems, chapter 4, pages 38-47, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    8. Matteo Coronese & Davide Luzzati, 2022. "Economic impacts of natural hazards and complexity science: a critical review," LEM Papers Series 2022/13, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    9. Ren, Chongqiang & Zhai, Guofang & Zhou, Shutian & Li, Shasha & Chen, Wei, 2017. "Adaptation assessment and analysis of economic growth since the market reform in China," Economics Discussion Papers 2017-24, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    10. Agarwala, Matthew & Burke, Matt & Klusak, Patrycja & Mohaddes, Kamiar & Volz, Ulrich & Zenghelis, Dimitri, 2021. "Climate Change And Fiscal Sustainability: Risks And Opportunities," National Institute Economic Review, National Institute of Economic and Social Research, vol. 258, pages 28-46, November.
    11. Agostino, Mariarosaria, 2024. "Extreme weather events and firms’ energy practices. The role of country governance," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    12. Beirne, John & Dafermos, Yannis & Kriwoluzky, Alexander & Renzhi, Nuobu & Volz, Ulrich & Wittich, Jana, 2022. "Natural Disasters and Inflation in the Euro Area," VfS Annual Conference 2022 (Basel): Big Data in Economics 264132, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    13. Jie Liu & Zhenwu Shi & Dan Wang, 2016. "Measuring and mapping the flood vulnerability based on land-use patterns: a case study of Beijing, China," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 83(3), pages 1545-1565, September.
    14. Preeya Mohan & Toshihiro Okubo & Eric Strobl, 2020. "Natural Disasters and Industrial Production Efficiency: Evidence from Prewar Japan," Keio-IES Discussion Paper Series 2020-006, Institute for Economics Studies, Keio University.
    15. John Beirne & Yannis Dafermos & Alexander Kriwoluzky & Nuobu Renzhi & Ulrich Volz & Jana Wittich, 2021. "The Effects of Natural Disasters on Price Stability in the Euro Area," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1981, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    16. Syed Ahmad Hakim Bin Syed Muzamil & Noor Yasmin Zainun & Nadiatul Nazleen Ajman & Noralfishah Sulaiman & Shabir Hussain Khahro & Munzilah Md. Rohani & Saifullizan Mohd Bukari Mohd & Hilton Ahmad, 2022. "Proposed Framework for the Flood Disaster Management Cycle in Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-21, March.
    17. Erwin, Anna & Ma, Zhao & Popovici, Ruxandra & Salas O’Brien, Emma Patricia & Zanotti, Laura & Silva, Chelsea A. & Zeballos, Eliseo Zeballos & Bauchet, Jonathan & Calderón, Nelly Ramírez & Arce Larrea,, 2022. "Linking migration to community resilience in the receiving basin of a large-scale water transfer project," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    18. Mujjuni, F. & Betts, T. & To, L.S. & Blanchard, R.E., 2021. "Resilience a means to development: A resilience assessment framework and a catalogue of indicators," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    19. Susana Ferreira, 2024. "Extreme Weather Events and Climate Change: Economic Impacts and Adaptation Policies," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 16(1), pages 207-231, October.
    20. Yusuke Toyoda, 2021. "Survey paper: achievements and perspectives of community resilience approaches to societal systems," Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, Springer, vol. 5(3), pages 705-756, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:1044-:d:1578510. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.