The Regional Disaster Management Unit of the International Federation analyzed the disaster management capacity and vulnerability of 11 countries in Southeast Asia. They used 13 indicators across four categories - hazard risk, vulnerability, response capacity, and disaster risk reduction capacity. Each country was given a rating based on scores assigned to the 13 indicators. The analysis will help the Regional Disaster Management Unit plan its activities for 2008-2009 and identify opportunities for collaboration with other organizations to strengthen capacity and reduce disaster risk in the region.

1. International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Regional Disaster Management Unit Country Analysis June 2007
The Regional Disaster Management Unit of the International Federation’s Southeast
Asia Delegation (RDMU) has undertaken a process to analyse the disaster
management capacity and vulnerability of the eleven countries within Southeast Asia
(SEA).
The analysis builds on the traditional practice of considering a countries hazard risk and
the capacity of the Red Cross / Red Crescent National Society, to incorporate the wider
capacity of government and civil society and overall development influences. In total 13
indicators have been used which cover hazard risk; vulnerability; response capacity and
disaster risk reduction capacity.
The analysis and process involved has been based on a similar process undertaken by
the UN OCHA’s Asia Pacific regional office.
The analysis will assist the RDMU in developing its Annual Appeal activities for 2008
and 2009 as well as engaging with other IASC members in determining where joint
activities could be undertaken to strengthen the capacity and reduce the risk of disaster
within the region.
Methodology
Each of the 11 countries covered by the RDMU has received a rating based on scores
assigned across 13 indicators. The individual indicators have been assigned a
multiplier value (1 – 3) based on their importance with regard to each other. The
formula used to calculate the overall rating of is:
Rating = Σ (Indicator 1-13
× Multiplier1-3
)
Indicators
HAZARD RISK
1. Potential for natural disasters (3) – indicates the number of sudden-onset natural
disasters (Earthquake; Flood; Volcano; Wave / Surge; Wild Fires; Wind Storm) that
have occurred in the country between 1990 and 2007. The data was obtained from
the Emergency Disasters Database (EM-DATA) maintained by the Centre of
Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED). A value of 3 was assigned to a
country with a high potential risk/exposure.
2. Potential for man-made disasters (1) – indicates the number of manmade disasters
(chemical, transport) that have occurred in the country between 1990 and 2007.
The data has been obtained from the Emergency Disasters Database (EM-DATA)
Updated January 2008.

2. maintained by the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters. A value of 3
was assigned to a country with the highest potential risk/exposure.
VULNERABILITY
3. Emergency appeal operations (2) – indicates the influence of large emergency
response and recovery operations requiring international assistance. A value of 3
was assigned to countries with a large number of response or recovery operations
underway, where a value of 0 was assigned to those countries where there was no
operations underway.
4. Natural disaster (3) – indicates the per capita number of people affected (killed,
injured or rendered homeless) by natural disaster between 1990 and 2007 based on
the Emergency Disasters Database (EM-DATA) maintained by the CRED. A value
of 3 was assigned to a country with high vulnerability.
5. Man-made disaster (1) – indicates the total number of people affected (killed,
injured, rendered homeless) by man-made disaster between 1990 and 2007 based
on the Emergency Disasters Database (EM-DATA) maintained by the CRED. A
value of 3 was assigned to a country with high vulnerability.
6. Human development index (2) - the HDI (2006) has been used to represent the
socio-economic indicators that are collectively used to represent a country’s
vulnerability. The 11 countries are sorted by their HDI ranking and assigned in to
three groups. A value of 3 was assigned to a country with a low HDI level.
RESPONSE CAPACITY
7. National government (3) – the capacity of central government and local authorities to
respond to major disaster. A value of 3 was assigned to a country with low capacity.
8. Civil society (2) - The presence of civil society organisations with the disaster
response capacity that support the government in meeting the needs of the affected
populations. A value of 3 was assigned to a country with limited civil society disaster
response capacity.
9. Federation Secretariat (2) - The capacity of the Federation with regard to each
country was assessed based the presence and size; focus and longevity or
sustainability of Delegation. The 11 countries are sorted by their ranking and
assigned in to three groups. A value of 1 was assigned to a country with a strong
Federation presence focused holistically on disaster management.
10.National society (3) - The capacity of the National Society to respond to disaster has
been assessed based on sections of the Federations Well Prepared National
Society Checklist (WPNS). The 11 countries are sorted by their ranking and
assigned in to three groups. A value of 3 was assigned to a country with low
capacity.
Updated January 2008.

3. DISASTER RISK REDUCTION CAPACITY
11.National government (3) - The capacity of the government and local authorities to
mainstream disaster risk reduction activities into their development planning, legal
systems and overall disaster management approach. A value of 3 has been
assigned to countries with a low capacity.
12.Civil society (2) - The presence of civil society organisations with capacity in the area
of disaster risk reduction, which supports the policy and programs of their
government in reducing a countries risk to disaster. A value of 3 was assigned to a
country with limited civil society organisational presence.
13.National society (3) - The capacity of the National Society’s risk reduction
(mitigation, early warning, preparedness, recovery, livelihoods) programming has
based on sections of the Federations Well Prepared National Society Checklist
(WPNS). The 11 countries are sorted by their ranking and assigned in to three
groups. A value of 3 was assigned to a country with low capacity.
Country Scores and Ranking
Updated January 2008.