BIMSTEC Calls for Unified Disaster Response Strategy

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has launched a landmark report urging stronger regional coordination in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) amid increasing climate-induced disasters.

Titled “Harmonising Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief in the Bay of Bengal,” the report was unveiled Tuesday at the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka. It was developed in collaboration with the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS) and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD).

The initiative builds on discussions from a policy implementation workshop held in October 2024 in Bangkok, where regional experts and officials convened to address the growing risks posed by climate change.

BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey said the report comes at a critical juncture. “Climate-related disasters in our region require a collective and harmonised response. BIMSTEC must lead in building resilient infrastructure and fostering regional preparedness.”

Additional Secretary to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abdul Motaleb Sarker echoed the urgency. “As disasters grow more frequent and severe, coordinated action grounded in shared systems is essential. Bangladesh, as current BIMSTEC Chair, is committed to this effort.”

The report outlines a set of key recommendations for the BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre (BDMC), including:

Creating a collaborative research database with technical partners

Establishing a unified Regional Climate Disaster Mapping and Response Centre within the BDMC

Enhancing communication platforms for crisis coordination

Launching a cost-sharing mechanism and prepositioning programme for HA/DR resources

The event concluded with an interactive discussion reaffirming the shared commitment of BIMSTEC members to build a resilient and integrated disaster management ecosystem.

BIMSTEC’s work in disaster management includes an expert group currently finalising a regional Plan of Action. The organisation has also hosted three rounds of joint disaster management exercises and established the BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate in Noida, India, which offers customised forecasts for member states.

A proposed BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre in India aims to further anchor and coordinate these efforts.

BIMSTEC brings together seven countries from the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.