Bangladesh: Recent flood events in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region (as of 8 Mar 2012)

Extreme vulnerability to natural hazards among countries in South Asia is cyclical and repeatedly causes major setbacks in the socioeconomic and equitable development of the region. According to UN estimates major disasters may cut the GDP of countries in the region by up to 20 per cent. Climate change is expected to increase both the frequency and magnitude of hazards leading to disasters. It calls for speedy action to help communities cope with such largescale disturbances.