With a near doubling of major disaster events over the last 20 years and the impact of climate change on the frequency of disasters, enhanced international cooperation in disaster risk reduction has become an important aspect of international relations.

Significance of international cooperation in disaster risk reduction:

• Critical for reducing the risk: Only half of the 193 members of the World Meteorological Organization have multi-hazard early warning systems. Sharing of data and forecasts on severe weather, monsoons, floods, and tropical cyclones among countries can enable every country to make risk-informed decisions for disaster risk reduction.
• For better post-disaster response: Through coordination and sharing of information, expertise, and resources, countries can help one another during the critical 48 hours following a disaster, when a country’s ability to respond and provide aid on its own could be crippled.
• Crucial for support in the recovery phase: Partnerships and networks in the region can share approaches, tools, technologies, and good practices that can lead to more viable development outcomes during the recovery phase.
• Improvement of diplomatic ties: In addition to the direct benefits, cooperating in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations and response plans can build confidence and improve diplomatic ties in the region.
• Emerging need: As climate change is a cross-border issue, regional cooperation becomes even more important to better deal with natural hazards.

There are various international agencies working together in disaster risk reduction and several initiatives have been taken in this regard such as the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination, Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, etc.

India’s role in strengthening regional cooperation for reducing disasters:

• Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: India, being its signatory, is committed to achieving a substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses through systematic and institutional efforts.
• Bilateral/ multilateral agreements: India has signed bilateral/ multilateral agreements with several countries for cooperation in the field of disaster management:

• • SAARC Agreement on Rapid Response to Natural Disasters.
  • India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding and has cooperated with various countries like Indonesia, Japan, Switzerland, Russia etc.
• Other organizations: India also has a regional partnership with the SAARC Disaster Management Centre – Interim Unit, Asian Disaster Reduction Centre, Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre, and ASEAN Regional Forum.
• Coalition on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI): India has set up the CDRI to conduct country-specific and global activities and serve as a platform for generating and exchanging knowledge to facilitate and encourage investment in disaster-resilient infrastructure systems.
• Disaster Risk Management- Indian Ocean Rim Association: The aim is to facilitate and enhance regional cooperation on preparedness and response strategies to fragile and unpredictable situations.

The engagement of multiple stakeholders at the regional level to effectively manage natural disasters would not only help in devising a functional system of collective disaster management but also in achieving sustainable development.