Responding to natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region

Since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Governments in the Asia-Pacific region have increased their capacity to respond to natural disasters. Evidence for this can be seen in the increase in disaster management legislation passed, and the number of national disaster management authorities established in the past 10 years. These national disaster management authorities and systems are increasingly capable of managing an effective response to many of the disasters they face. Moreover, the growing prominence of bilateral response in the region and the intention of regional organizations to play a central role are changing the face of humanitarian response.

Related Subject(s): Economic and Social Development