The Bay of Bengal faces escalating climate-induced risks, including cyclones, floods, and sea-level rise, affecting nearly a quarter of the global population. These shared vulnerabilities underscore the urgent need for more effective, cooperative humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) systems. This report, based on a Track 1.5 policy workshop held in October 2024 in Bangkok, presents a framework for operationalising regional harmonisation in HA/DR planning and response.
The need for "Harmonisation":
The report identifies harmonisation as the foundational policy requirement for regional HA/DR cooperation. Defined as intentional alignment of existing guidelines and practices, harmonisation enables interoperability between national agencies while respecting local contexts. It supports coordinated action, reduces duplication, and addresses disparities in response capacity. While the concept receives limited attention in academic literature, the report positions it as critical to building a resilient and coherent regional response mechanism.
The Bay of Bengal’s geography, marked by densely populated and low-lying coastal zones, renders it particularly vulnerable to climate disasters. The transboundary nature and increasing frequency of such events further intensify their socio-economic impacts, including disruptions to food, water, health, and financial security. Despite existing national and multilateral HA/DR initiatives, the report argues that the next step is not to introduce new frameworks, but to harmonise and integrate those already in place.
Why BIMSTEC?
The report identifies BIMSTEC as the most suitable institutional platform to lead harmonisation efforts. Its regional mandate, formal mechanisms such as the Expert Groups on Disaster Management and Maritime Security Cooperation, and its Charter’s emphasis on collaboration and mutual assistance make it well-positioned to coordinate disaster risk reduction efforts. The BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre (BDMC), newly designated as a Centre of Excellence, is proposed as the operational hub for implementing the report’s recommendations.
Key recommendations:
The report outlines four practical recommendations to embed harmonisation into the pre-planning phase of HA/DR systems in the Bay of Bengal:
- Knowledge Production: Establish a cross-sectoral research database in collaboration with specialised institutions and civil society actors. This database would document past disasters and their long-term impacts across sectors, serving as an evidence base for more responsive and informed policymaking.
- Mapping and Modelling: Create a Unified Climate Disaster Mapping and Response Unit within the BDMC. This centre would use the research database to build scenario models that improve anticipation, coordination, and resource allocation in climate disaster planning.
- Crisis Communications: Set up a centralised communication platform within the BDMC to streamline coordination during disasters. The platform would link national disaster authorities and key ministries to facilitate real-time information-sharing and improve response efficiency.
- Material Procurement: Develop a cost-sharing and pre-positioning mechanism for critical HA/DR supplies. This programme would pool regional resources and ensure timely access to equipment, reducing financial burdens on individual states.
Together, these measures provide a roadmap for building a more integrated, resilient, and cooperative HA/DR ecosystem in the Bay of Bengal.
This text is based on extracts from a report written by Fiona Raval, Siddharth Anil Nair and Tapan Bharadwaj , July 2025. It is published by the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies in collaboration with BIMSTEC and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD). The publication is part of our ongoing IPCS-Clingendael collaboration on climate security in Southern Asia.
To read the complete report, follow the link here.
See below for our coverage on similar topics:
- India’s Institutional Cooperation on Climate Resilience in the Bay of Bengal Region
- Climate resilience reimagined: Integrating concepts of human and ecological security in South Asia
- Climate risk report for the Southeast Asia region