The SAARC region is prone to a variety of disasters. Globally there is a movement to build back safer after disasters, in order to reduce future risk and vulnerability and support sound development. In addition, global humanitarian standards and policy call for reducing or eliminating negative environmental impacts of recovery and reconstruction. It is essential that sound environmental practices are integrated into disaster response, recovery and risk reduction – otherwise there is a strong risk of environmental degradation, affecting economic activities and giving rise to more severe disasters in the future.
