Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) DIPECHO South East Asia 2014 - 2015 (ECHO/DIP/BUD/2014/91000) Last update 16/10/2013 Version 1
The activities proposed hereafter are still subject to the adoption of the financing decision ECHO/WWD/ BUD/2014/01000
AMOUNT: EUR 11 000 000
South East Asia (SEA) figures among the most disaster affected regions in the world, in terms of scale, recurrence and severity of disasters1 and among the most at risk taking into account the social and economic dimensions of vulnerabilities, the hazard profiles as well as environmental and climate change considerations. For the purpose of this HIP, country specific programmes will target Myanmar/Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and the Philippines.
The range of hazards is wide (floods, flash floods, typhoons, cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and tidal surges, landslides, droughts, forest fires and volcano eruptions) and though increased interest and investment in DRR is noticeable, new challenges like retarded economic development and pernicious environmental impacts (widespread deforestation, illegal land use and mono-cropping) constitute new risks. The private sector is increasingly concerned by the impact of recurrent disasters on economic growth and development. It understands better the value of investment in DRR as a risk assurance against financial and material loss, for example in coastal/urban built up areas.
Vulnerability profiles are also evolving, with increased urban migration and erosion of traditional coping mechanisms, including decreased resistance to pandemics. While the possible effects of climate change are still subject to varying scenarios, in particular at local level, overall patterns are nevertheless worrying, with increasingly erratic meteorological cycles and higher disaster impact from hydro-meteorological events.
Almost all SEA countries are taking concrete action to improve preparedness and reduce risk.
However, at local level, the most vulnerable populations often remain ill-prepared to cope with disasters and preparedness efforts are not inclusive enough of the different groups of population to significantly increase resilience. ECHO's focus is to work as far as possible with vulnerable communities. One of the success stories in SEA has been the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders in reducing risk: from communities to different governmental actors, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.