Informing and Equipping South Asias Leaders
Asia is among the most disaster-prone areas in the world. High human vulnerability in combination with increased geographical exposure to hazards have combined to create an environment with some of the highest losses both in terms of lives and the value of assets. In 2005, South Asia suffered a single earthquake which cost over 74,000 lives. As indicated by the cover of this issue, making decisions that reduce human vulnerability is a complex process. Affected nations have seen the cost and have much to gain.
The nations of South Asia also have immense natural and human assets for responding in emergency situations and for preventing future hazards from becoming disasters. The question, therefore, is how to move ahead.
On the institutional level, the Governments of India and Government of Sri Lanka are taking action towards risk reduction with Disaster Management Bills. In India, the National Disaster Management Authority is currently defining the path for public sector risk reduction with energy. All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI) has lead new and innovative work on disaster risk management in India since 1995. I congratulate Mihir Bhatt and his team for their efforts in making India safer.
More: alertnet.org
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