23 rd September 2008 HFA Progress Report Disaster Risk Reduction in South Asia P.G.Dhar Chakrabarti Director SAARC Disaster Management Centre New Delhi

Hyogo Framework of Action Socio-eco Expected Outcome 3 Strategic Goals 5 Priorities of Action 1. Integrating DRR in development 2. Strengthening institutions and capacities Substantial reduction in disaster losses TechnicalPolitical 3. Incorporating DRR in preparedness, response, recovery Developmental Humanitarian

HFA Progress in South Asia Geographical and climatic conditions have made South Asia susceptible to a series of natural hazards – earthquake, landslides, flood, cyclone, drought etc Layers of social and economic vulnerabilities create recipe of disasters - some of the worst disasters of the recent decades have occurred in South Asia Climate change are making conditions worse South Asia holds the key to global progress of HFA Despite all the constraints South Asia is making rapid progress towards disaster risk reduction

Political Strong political commitment to DRR in South Asia 4 out of 8 countries have enacted new laws – others are in the process of doing so New institutions dedicated to disaster management set up in every country National policies on disaster management coming up in all the countries Evaluate existing legal and institutional mechanisms and policies Engage in multi-stakeholder dialogue to establish the foundations of a national platform Establish a national risk management vision, policies, strategy and implementation plan, including benchmarks Institutionalize DRR and establish mainstreaming mechanisms Ensure that Disaster Risk Reduction is a national and local priority with strong institutional basis for implementation

Technical India developed a state-of-art multi-hazard tsunami early warning system, which is available for the region Capability developed for warning of cyclonic storms Medium range weather forecasting capability developed Significant initiatives taken for last mile connectivity Lots still remain to be done Identify, Assess and Monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning Collect, review and synthesize existing knowledge, including sound practices and lessons learned; publish and disseminate Check validity and assess trends, gaps and areas of concern Build the national knowledge base on risk and disaster risk management Establish a hazard monitoring program including an early warning and alert system

Socio-economic Disaster management included in school and engineering and medical education Significant capacity development initiatives in many countries Community based Disaster Risk Management Programs implemented in all the countries Media and corporate sectors being involved in DRR Much more remains to be done Use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels Develop a public awareness system, including educational campaigns; community and neighborhood drills, simulation games, media arrangements, and business agreements; Incorporate disaster risk management in education programs at all levels; Establish strategies to involve stakeholders in risk assessment and risk communication Enhance access to information and understanding of risk and risk management to build constituencies for DRR advocacy.

Developmental Disaster resistant land use planning and building bye laws developed in every country Retrofitting of life line structures taken up in some countries Planning Commissions of India and Nepal issued directions for mainstreaming DRR in development DRR integrated in poverty eradication programs in Bangladesh More mitigation projects on anvil Risk transfer mechanism still weak Reduce the underlying risk factors Establish DRR mechanisms related to land use planning and construction standards. Establish mechanisms for protecting the poor and the more vulnerable Establish financial risk transfer mechanisms Establish programs for vulnerability reduction of critical facilities and infrastructure

Humanitarian Enhancing capability of disaster response and preparedness is the focus of disaster management of most of the countries of South Asia Pre disaster response and recovery plans prepared at different levels ‘Building back Better’ has become the guiding principle of disaster recovery and reconstruction programmes Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels Assess disaster response and recovery capability Develop evacuation plans Develop response and recovery plans, undertake drills Develop and test mechanisms for organizing and coordinating emergency operations

Significant regional initiatives South Asia has taken significant regional initiatives for disaster risk management SAARC Disaster Management Centre set up in New Delhi SAARC Disaster Management Framework adopted Regional training and capacity development programmes Digital Vulnerability Map of South Asia being developed Regional Natural Disaster Response Mechanism approved South Asia Regional Road Maps developed on Community Based Disaster Risk Management Application of science & technology for disaster risk reduction and management, including early warning of natural disasters Coastal and marine risk management Integrating DRR in Climate Change Adaptations Regional Road Maps on Earthquake Risk Mitigation on the anvil

Thank you