Missing targets: reforming disaster policy in Southeast Asia

Over the last 20 years, Southeast Asia has seen laudable advancement in disaster management. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has played a positive role in this progress. However, there is emerging disaster policy inertia that potentially delays ASEAN member states meeting the Sendai Framework on disaster risk reduction targets and ultimately the Sustainable Development Goals. A recent United Nations report shows that across nearly all indicators the region is regressing in terms of its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. It is not showing incremental progress or standing still, it is moving away from them. This article highlights the areas in which ASEAN member states are not on course to achieve the targets and goals in disaster management and uses Indonesia as a case study to illustrate why these goals are in retreat and are reflective of regional challenges. Through this investigation, this article argues that there are pathways to achieve the targets and goals by 2030 but regional efforts need to recognize and engage the significant systemic and structural issues within ASEAN member states to put the region back on track.