The “riskscape” of ASEAN is evolving with the effects of climate change compounded by the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with increased potential for cross-over between disasters and large-scale PHEs in future. The recent experience of the COVID-19 pandemic brought to the fore the important relationship between disaster risk management (DRM) and public health emergencies (PHE) frameworks in the ASEAN region. This collaboration between the ASEAN Committee for Disaster Management (ACDM) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) examines regional and national level DRM frameworks and their consideration of PHEs.

The project involved a mapping of ASEAN national and regional DRM frameworks (which include laws, policies, strategies, guidelines and other sources) to understand the extent to which they consider the needs of PHEs. Based on those findings, guidelines were developed to assist national- and regional-level decision-makers to consider opportunities for DRM frameworks to address PHEs as a part of a multi-hazard approach. The mapping and guidelines are presented thematically, following the AADMER Work Programme 2021-2025 (AWP 2021-2025) Priorities:

1. Priority Programme 1: Risk Assessment and Monitoring
2. Priority Programme 2: Prevention and Mitigation
3. Priority Programme 3: Preparedness and Response
4. Priority Programme 4: Resilient Recovery
5. Priority Programme 5: Global Leadership
 

The mapping found that DRM and PHE frameworks at regional and national level have largely evolved separately and operate in parallel, although there are examples of increasing intersection between them, particularly following the recent experience of COVID-19.