100 likes | 227 Views
The South Asia context: national disaster laws and regional cooperation. Overview of the presentation. Disasters in South Asia Developments in disaster laws at the national level Regional cooperation . Key messages. South Asia will continue to experience large-scale natural disasters
E N D
The South Asia context: national disaster laws and regional cooperation
Overview of the presentation • Disasters in South Asia • Developments in disaster laws at the national level • Regional cooperation
Key messages • South Asia will continue to experience large-scale natural disasters • Taking action now can lead to better laws in the future • We can work together to strengthen disaster laws in the region • Laws can save lives!
Disasters in South Asia • 256,000 people affected in Asia in 2010 • 863,279 people killed in Asia 2001-2010 • South Asia is particularly disaster prone • Right now: • Sikkim earthquake • Floods in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh
Disaster laws in South Asia • Relatively new (from 2005) disaster management laws in Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan • Disaster management laws have been drafted in Maldives, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh
Taking action at the national level Legal preparedness studies • Detailed review of existing laws and regulations for receiving international assistance • Undertaken by the National Societies and government with support from the IFRC • Results: recommendations and action plan to address any gaps
Taking action at the national level DRR Studies • Review on how legislation can support (or impede) disaster risk reduction, particularly at the community level. • Identifying good practices as well as some gaps in the legal framework or its implementation
Taking action at the national level Researching shelter problems and solutions • Work together to undertake informal ‘audits’ • Identify best practice in developing measures before a disaster • Raise attention to these specific areas
South Asia Association of Regional Cooperation • Comprehensive Framework on Disaster Management • SAARC DM centre • Draft SAARC Agreement on Rapid Response for member states • Respect for each other’s sovereignty • Assistance upon request • Receiving states to have overall control • Assisting states to receive certain legal facilities
Regional cooperation • ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response • SOPAC Disaster Risk Management reviews