The rate of natural disasters has skyrocketed at over 600% in the past 60 years, with developing nations being more vulnerable due to lack of forecasting, investment in public policies, mitigation measures. United Nations also estimates that nations can save $4 on disaster prevention for every $1 spent on disaster recovery. This demands a systematic approach to calamities, risk management and integrated management framework. South Asian nations have been served with the opportunity to collaborate on a disaster risk cycle. It demands concerted action with a combination of risk reduction, preparedness for calamities, reconstruction, risk financing and disaster relief. Nations need to coordinate in resilience building exercise through development policies, strategies and assistance programs.
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With an overburdened and dispersed population, countries should focus on collaborated targeted impact on vulnerable sections. UN Children’s Fund and UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction women and poor are more vulnerable to natural disasters. Nations also need to borrow and foster the strengths of disaster response. For instance, Bangladesh with assistance from world bank and UN Groups has created a strong community response system. A common program to create awareness, preparedness and response integrated with resilience will create a strong and informed community, thereby reducing the risks. Flood control and management through common funding and integrated loans from international institutions can enable creation of structural and non-structural interventions against floods. A stronger economic hold would also enable nations to invest in early warning systems and climate change mitigation. Sharing of technical know-how to forecast and predict can reduce vulnerability. Interaction between nations to facilitate travel of scientists and engineers can increase technical capacity and dodge miscommunication. Disaster risk insurance and financing at a collective level can gather larger funds, while allowing for efficient repayment. Substantive political support can sustain response measures as seen from the Pakistan example. Political coordination can be achieved through constant cooperation and sustainable relations with neighbouring leaders.