From Response to Recovery
Overview
After a disaster causing widespread damage, the GNWT’s Disaster Assistance Policy (DAP) may be applied. Disaster assistance will not cover all costs associated with a disaster in the NWT, but will provide financial assistance for essential needs where private insurance does not. For more information see NWT Disaster Financial Assistance.
The following are some of the key steps toward recovery.
Disaster assistance registration
If the DAP is implemented, residents, small business and community governments need to register for assistance to determine their eligibility under the DAP.
Safety Assessment
Local officials will do an initial assessment to determine if it is safe for evacuees to return to their properties.
Preliminary Damage Assessment
A preliminary damage assessment will be done to get an estimate of damages for the whole disaster area. This is a high-level scan to help identify properties and infrastructure that require a detailed damage assessment.
Emergency Work
Emergency work that requires quick action to prevent further damages may be identified. Work with your insurance company to arrange for emergency work covered by insurance. The GNWT may hire a contractor to complete emergency work not covered under insurance if the NWT Disaster Assistance Policy is implemented.
Detailed Damage Assessments
Detailed damage assessments are required for Disaster Financial Assistance.
Detailed damage assessments will be completed for registered disaster financial assistance claimants. Typically, it takes a number of weeks to complete these damage assessments.
In the meantime, after safety officials have ensured it is safe, residents and property owners are encouraged to clean up their homes/properties and clean up debris. Remember to keep a detailed list and documentation (take pictures) of all damages to provide to an assessor.
Disaster Assistance Policy (DAP)
.Disaster assistance is limited to essential items, the loss of which was neither preventable nor insurable. Communities and residents need to be aware that DAP is intended to help with costs but does not fully cover them. Public funds are used to support eligible applicants if:
- The health, safety, and welfare of the affected residents are at risk.
- Damage couldn’t be prevented.
- Value of damage exceeds minimum thresholds
- There is no other source of funding.
- Insurance coverage wasn’t available