Cooperation Mechanisms for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) in Maritime Southeast Asia

<p dir="ltr">Maritime Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions, facing increasingly frequent and severe hazards driven by climate change, urbanisation and environmental degradation. Effective humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) therefore depends on cooperation across borders. This issue examines the relative effectiveness of ASEAN-led multilateral mechanisms and more flexible minilateral arrangements, assessing how each performs in major disaster responses. Drawing on past regional crises, it highlights the strengths and limitations of both approaches and considers how cooperation frameworks can be improved to better address transboundary disasters.</p>