Climate disasters in Asia and the Pacific: the role of the Asian Development Bank in mitigation and adaptation

The damages from weather-related disasters, especially with runaway climate change, have been on the rise in Asia. All three elements of disaster risk - hazard, exposure, and vulnerability - show a rising trend, with considerable country differences. For example, rapid urbanization, population dynamics, and migration patterns in Vietnam are compounding people’s exposure to these hazards. While some aspects affecting vulnerability, such as early warning and evacuation capabilities, have improved, others relating to unsustainable land use and environmental degradation, for example, in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, have deteriorated. The Asian Development Bank has a growing role in disaster management. Pre-disaster actions should include risk assessment and simulation of stress tests in addition to investments in early warning and channeling out of harm’s way. Immediate responses rely on the strength inter alia of communication networks and inter-unit coordination. We need to rebuild better by ensuring adequate building codes and zoning regulations and making investments more climate-proof. Education and capacity development will be key to all phases. Governments may be the lead actor in resilience building, but businesses, households, and all segments of society need to be actively engaged.