Multi-Hazard Early Warning to Increase Disaster Resilience in Coastal Regions: Regional Position Paper

The Asia-Pacific region is regularly labelled as the most disaster-prone in the world due to a long history of both major catastrophic disasters and frequent small and medium-sized events. However, climate change, environmental degradation and other factors have resulted in a risk landscape for the region that is increasingly uncertain. Specifically, acute vulnerability to drought in so-called least developed countries, such as Myanmar, contributes significantly to the regional risk level.
This report makes clear the relationship between disasters, climate change and sustainable development clear. Climate-related hazards are particularly prevalent along coasts, which is where many Asian cities are located. Urban areas also concentrate risk and many of the region’s urban population lives in informal settlements. People living informally will be the worst affected by disasters, because they lack access to basic services and security of tenure and do not have the voice or means to substantially improve their living conditions.