From typhoons in Myanmar to volcanic eruptions in the Philippines, disasters strike frequently and intensely across South East Asia.
In collaboration with Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, IFRC Disaster law supports South East Asian states to improve disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response. Having been active in the region for 15 years, we know that having strong disaster laws in place provides a foundation to undertake all aspects of disaster risk management and to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable and disaster-affected communities.
IFRC Disaster Law, ASEAN and the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Centre have worked closely over the last 15 years through peer learning, research and aligned priorities. Strong regional governance arrangements in South East Asia have helped foster a sense of confidence in regional disaster management.
In 2005, ASEAN member states signed the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Management Response (AADMER), to improve cooperation and coordination in the response to disasters. IFRC’s early work on International Disaster Response Law (IDRL) influenced the development of the AADMER, which itself is a regional mechanism for implementing key recommendations in the IFRC's IDRL Guidelines.
IFRC Disaster Law has conducted desk reviews of national level disaster laws and policies in the ASEAN Member States. The desk reviews focused specifically on the implementation of AADMER at domestic level and culminated in a collection of Country Profiles and a Regional Stocktake.
In addition, in collaboration with the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM), IFRC Disaster Law is working on a mapping and research project about law and public health emergencies in the region. This work is expected to conclude in 2023.
