Integrated Flood Risk Management, Lessons from the Rhine and Danube for South Asia

Abstract

The South Asia region is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change flooding events leading to severe economic losses. With flood risks being transboundary, there is the potential for instability and state fragility to lead to migration and displacement, weak governance and overall geo-political instability in the South Asia region. Europe has experience in managing transboundary flood risks, having implemented the EU Flood Directive, which calls for transboundary actions to mitigate flood risks. Using existing platforms for cooperation, Europe can transfer knowledge on Integrated Flood Risk Management expertise from the Rhine and Danube to the South Asia region to ensure regional economic and political stability.