Throughout South Asia, from Bangladesh and Bhutan to Afghanistan and the Maldives, IFRC Disaster Law is supporting the growing momentum towards strengthening legal frameworks for disaster risk management and fostering greater regional collaboration.
IFRC Disaster Law works closely with Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, governments and local authorities in South Asia to revise and strengthen disaster-related legislation. Recognising the high vulnerability of South Asian countries to natural hazards, climate change, as well as the impacts of urbanisation, our work is tailored to the unique needs of each country. We address cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, protection, displacement and climate change adaptation. We also advocate for the participation and representation of communities and vulnerable groups in disaster risk management, including disaster law processes.
In 2022, we completed a study on legal preparedness for regional and international disaster and pandemic response in South Asia, which identifies trends in the legal and regulatory approaches to international disaster relief and recovery assistance in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
