Considering the fact that all the South Asian member states are highly prone to hydro-meteorological and geological hazards such as floods, landslides, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes, heat waves, avalanches and tsunamis, the topic will bring into attention the issues relating to disaster, the aftermath and the adopted policies and dealings. When it comes to the economic vulnerability countries such as Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh illustrates the largest losses, where poverty exposed population and absence of preparedness can be accredited to the susceptibility to the disasters precipitated by natural hazards.
The government should ensure that people receive fact-checked updates only from credible sources, including informed scientists and researchers of infectious diseases, epidemiology, virology and public health. The government should keep a strict tab on this “infodemic”, in order to fight an acute data-crisis - especially in an era where information is power ...
When this crisis will end, both nations would have to come forward and listen to the plight of the workers, students, tourists and other common people who have been severely impacted due to the pandemic. An example must be set, on how two neighbouring nations can work towards mutual welfare ...
The real threat is not becoming infected with COVID-19. But, when one looks at the aggregate numbers, the unspoken fear is that those numbers indicate how close the people, or person’s under out protection, are to death. For that reason, it is especially important to look beyond the aggregate numbers and define the threat accurately ...
It is not the first time that World Health Organiation (WHO) has been criticized for handling a pandemic situation. The WHO understands the mounting criticism on the organization, and to counter the criticism the WHO has released a timeline showing the actions it has taken to handle the crisis ...
It is important that India stands up to these domestic challenges, and radically revamps its healthcare system to ease the current national burden before the next wave of transmission. It has an opportunity to usher in a new age of ‘Medical Diplomacy’, countering China’s Health Silk Route, and putting a strong nail on BRI’s coffin once the world gets over COVID-19 ...
A pandemic-state will always be mired by the rise of authoritarianism, surveillance, and xenophobia. However, such a state will not be suitable for a post-crisis era. We need to keep in check the power of Governments in a post-pandemic society ...
Putting the gender equality goal at the center, socio-economic recovery efforts will support the rapid recovery and will fundamentally help to build a more equal, inclusive and resilient societies. This will strengthen the resiliency to such future crisis and will certainly help to achieve the sustainable development goals ...
There are two ways in which the SAARC can be more inclusive, first, by placing more women in the SAARC Ministerial-level group, and secondly, by going beyond targeting individual women and regularly consulting with women’s organizations who are at the front line of the COVID-19 response ...
Too much reliance on technology would present ethical challenges around privacy, accountability, bias and transparency. Therefore, it is important to understand that health and privacy are not choices but rather a basic right for everyone. ...
COVID-19 and State of Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh
UN Security Council should bring the resolution to facilitate investigation on the violation of human rights by Myanmar and thus, ensure an international supervision for safe repatriation of the Rohingyas, and initiate a visit to the Rohingya refugee camps to propel the government of Myanmar for setting up “safe zones” for people of all backgrounds in conflict-torn parts of their country ...