Regulatory Framework for Regional Cooperation on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in India and Globe

All member states of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) are prone to recurring natural disasters as well as disasters induced by humans. South Asian countries have experienced a wide-ranging geological and hydro-meteorological disasters may it be severe droughts, floods, cyclones, landslides, earthquakes or tsunamis causing not only irreparable loss to life but also shattering the economy of these member states. Huge population, poverty and corruption make the region more vulnerable and augment the magnitude of any disaster manifold. The impact of these disasters is not restricted within the physical and political boundaries of these states but is discernible across the borders. Though in almost all the SAARC countries there has been a successful mapping of the legislative and institutional framework in the region for the purpose of disaster risk reduction, but the major lacunae lie in the inadequate cooperation amongst the countries at the regional and international level. Sustainable synchronisation, alliance and mainstreaming of a comprehensive legal and institutional framework are required to be adopted and implemented in this region which ensures a rapid response mechanism dealing with disasters providing not only adequate and timely relief but also assistance which is more humanitarian.