The 15th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit, which convened from 2-3 August 2008 in Colombo, ushered in new hopes for concerted legislative improvement and coordination of disaster response among the member countries.
The highlight of the event was the Colombo Declaration, which was adopted in the concluding session and covers a number of areas for improved regional cooperation, such as food, energy security, trade, combating terrorism, poverty alleviation, water resources and environment.
In Point 14 of the declaration, the Heads of State and Government expressed concern at the human loss caused by natural disasters in the region and stressed the need for the timely provision of relief in humanitarian emergencies. In this regard, they directed that a Natural Disaster Rapid Response Mechanism be created to adopt a coordinated and planned approach towards such emergencies under the aegis of the SAARC Disaster Management Centre.
The Conference leaders also signed the Colombo Statement on Food Security, which directs the urgent establishment of a regional food bank to ensure food availability and nutritional security in the region. They also directed their Agriculture Ministers to meet to develop food security and cooperation strategies, including with regard to climatic and disease risks. They further called for increased cooperation with the international community to ensure food availability.