From vulnerability to preparedness : emergency and humanitarian action in the WHO South-East Asia Region

Abstract

During 1996-2005, the Asia Region had the highest number of natural and technological disasters (‎44%)‎ worldwide. In 2005, three countries of the South-EAst Asia Region (‎India, Bangladesh and Indonesia)‎ featured in the top 10 countries most affected by natural disasters. The tsunami of 2004, the recent earthquake in Yogyakarta, the floods in Sulawesi, India, Thailand, and regular monsoon events in countries such as Bangladesh and Myanmar emphasize that there are risks and hazards of regularly contend with. This document traces the path towards disaster preparedness and response of Member States in all phases of the disaster cycle. While some countries have forged ahead and put disaster management systems in place, in others, laws, policies and plans have yet to be developed or are in a nascent stage. Member States of the Region differ widely in terms of issues and challenges for emergency preparedness and response. Resource constraints have to be addressed, country capacities enhanced, complex emergencies tackled and systems put in place. The ongoing support provided by partners in addressing the individual needs of countries through plugging in funding needs, offerinig technical guidance, advocating for political commitment, developing plans and policies to build disaster management systems in countries of the Region is outlined in the context of the status of disaster preparedness in each Member State