The roundtable conference on "Rethinking Disaster Risk Management in South Asia" organised by CSCR in collaboration with @RecapAsia received significant coverage in news media outlets. Headlines: ▫Dawn | Panel discussion explores disaster risk management in South Asia 🔗dawn.com/news/1806902/panel-… ▫Hum News | Huddle discusses regional cooperation to cope with disasters 🔗humnews.pk/pakistan/huddle-d… ▫The Destination | South Asian Experts Forge Path for Regional Collaboration in Disaster Management 🔗dailythedestination.com/wp-c… ▫The Patriot | Rethinking Disaster Risk Management in South Asia: Experts Forge Path for Regional Collaboration 🔗dailythepatriot.com/epaper/e… ▫Jehan Pakistan | اسلام آباد میریٹ ہوٹل میں ایک روزہ گول میز مباحثہ 🔗jehanpakistan.com/epaper/det…

New Publication | In the backdrop of the regional roundtable on "Rethinking Disaster Risk Management in South Asia," the Centre and @RecapAsia jointly published "Pakistan Floods - Underlining the Need for Regional Cooperation for Disaster Risk Management in South Asia." 🔗 cscr.pk/explore/publications…  @NaqviAiliya & @TalhaIbr

Highlight video of the roundtable conference "Rethinking Disaster Risk Management in South Asia" jointly organised by CSCR with @RecapAsia.

The CSCR and @RecapAsia are glad to have catered to a diverse representation from all the South Asian countries in the roundtable conference on "Rethinking Disaster Risk Management in South Asia". We are extremely grateful to all the speakers and participants for their valuable contributions.

Dr. Salma Malik, Associate Professor at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, concluded the roundtable discussion by emphasising on the people-centred approach as a way forward to disaster risk management. She expressed gratitude to speakers from all South Asian countries coming together to address this pertinent issue.

Ayreen Khan (iCan, Bangladesh) brought attention to the spill-over effects of natural disasters, significantly influenced by the inseparable connection between the climate and geography of South Asia.

Mahesh Raj Bhatta (Centre for South Asian Studies, Nepal) highlighted the fragility and challenges arising from political constraints in the region, which are impeding regional collaboration.

Sohini Bose (Observer Research Foundation, India) highlighted the crucial role of regional organisations like SAARC in fostering multilateral collaboration on disaster risk management, arguing for the growing regional awareness and consciousness regarding natural disasters.

Dr. Shaheen Akhtar (National Defence University, Pakistan) accentuated the importance of prioritised regional collaboration, especially in the realms of information and data sharing, and transboundary flood management, to effectively address disasters in South Asia.

Mr. Talha Ibrahim, Director Academics at CSCR, assumed the role of moderator for Panel 2, extending a warm welcome to the speakers and initiating a discussion on sustainable national practices to reduce disaster risk.

Md. Shamsuzzoha (Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh) highlighted that, among other South Asian countries, Bangladesh consistently faces natural disasters each year. Presenting a plan for disaster resilience and management, he emphasised the importance of its timely implementation.

Kusum Athukorala (Global Water Partnership South Asia) highlighted Sri Lanka's strategy in disaster risk management, underscoring the necessity for a people-centric approach to bridge the gap between policy-making and the actual implementation of the plan.

Medha Bisht (South Asian University, India) emphasised the necessity of a shift from disaster risk management to disaster risk governance, encompassing different viewpoints and aspects of disaster response, and highlighted the importance of incorporating a multi-disciplinary approach.

Syed Muhammad Bilal Khalid (World Bank) highlighted the governance efficacy gap and underscored the absence of a resilient early warning and forecast system in Pakistan, which contributes significantly to the challenges encountered in averting such disasters.

The moderator of Panel 1, Ms. Syeda Ailiya, Managing Editor & Director of CSCR, initiated the session by inviting panellists to share their respective countries' perspectives on disaster risk governance.

Former Senator Mr. Nisar Memon delivered the keynote address during the roundtable discussion, emphasising that while disasters have a historical precedent, addressing contemporary challenges requires innovation.

Dr. @FrederickKliem, Director of @RecapAsia, initiated the discussion by highlighting the imperative for climate change mitigation and adaptation techniques to minimize its impact. He emphasised that despite Pakistan not being a significant contributor to environmental harm, the country is experiencing its adverse effects.

All set to commence the international roundtable conference on disaster risk management in South Asia, jointly organised by the Centre for Strategic and Contemporary Research (CSCR) and @RecapAsia. Stay tuned for the latest updates.

We welcome Director @RECAPAsia Dr. Frederick Kliem to our office. He is in Pakistan for a roundtable event on disaster risk management jointly organised by KAS and CSCR.