Hazard Risk Management in South Asia - The World Bank Perspective

1. Hazard Risk Management in South Asia- The World Bank Perspective Christoph Pusch South Asia Regional CoordinatorHazard Risk Management New Delhi, Dec 20, 2006

2. SAR High Vulnerability Source: WB Natural Disaster Hotspots Study, 2005

3. WB Portfolio – HRM • South Asia Region -> more than $12 billion since 1980 • Last five years about $2.2 billion • $875 million Pakistan earthquake, 2006* • $150 million Sri Lanka tsunami, 2005* • $465 million India tsunami, 2005* • $14 million Maldives tsunami, 2005* • $709 million Gujarat earthquake, 2002** Year of effectiveness • Funding limited to reconstruction recovery • Demand for mitigation and preparedness is limited

4. Progress of HRM in SAR • Efficient responses to major disasters • Institutional and legislative arrangements for HRM has improved • Strategy development has advanced • Main challenges: • Mainstreaming HRM in regular development process • Translating general concepts and strategies of risk mitigation into specific projects and programs • Providing financial incentives and support for risk mitigation projects • Developing the concept of risk financing • Upgrading implementation capacity • Systematic risk assessment and cost benefit considerations for mitigation programs

5. Hazard Risk ManagementFramework Emergency Preparedness- Emergency Response Planning- Exercises- Public Awareness- Communication and Information Management Systems- Technical Emergency Response Capacity Institutional Capacity Building- Decentralized Emergency Management System - Community Participation - Legislative Framework - Training, Education and Knowledge Sharing - International Cooperation Risk Assessment • Risk Mitigation Investments • Warning and Monitoring Systems- Hazard Mapping and Land Use Planning- Code Refinement and Enforcement- Hazard Specific Risk Mitigation • Catastrophe Risk Financing • Ex-Ante Funding Arrangements - Catastrophe Insurance Pools- Reserve Funds- Contingent Capital Facility

6. Focus of the World Bank • The Bank is interested in financing HRM projects in SAR (national and state level) • New vehicle providing co-financing and analytical work - GFDRR • Preparation of a Hazard Risk Management Strategy • Introduction of a comprehensive policy framework focused on the systematic reduction of vulnerability and hazard risks • Identification of high priority risk mitigation measures on a country by country basis • Formulation of a mid-term action plan with key stakeholder based on a comprehensive consultation process • Knowledge Sharing and Dissemination Activities • Internal Training / Capacity Building for SAR staff on HRM

7. Expected Outcome • Roadmap for vulnerable SAR countries to implement high priority risk mitigation programs and enhancing their capacity to respond to major catastrophic events • Comprehensive framework for the systematic treatment of HRM at policy and operational levels for the region • Providing the analytical basis for making HRM a standard feature in relevant CASs and PRSPs • Exchange of information and know-how between countries on sustainable risk mitigation solutions • Stimulating the demand for risk mitigation and prevention interventions • Enhancement of the Bank’s internal capacity to respond to catastrophic events and advising clients on the design and management of cross-sector hazard risk mitigation projects and programs