By Takeshi Komino, ADRRN Chairperson, Japan

In 2024, Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN) led the drafting of ‘2024 CSO Commitment to Action: Addressing Hotspots of Vulnerabilities to Advance SFDRR Implementation’ for the occasion of Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference for DRR (APMCDRR) 2024.  The commitment to action evolved around the theme of ‘Community Resilience at the Center’, ‘Capacity Sharing for Tangible Change’, ‘Policy Coherence for Local Action’, ‘Partnerships and Collaboration for Solving the Unsolved’, and ‘Monitor Progress and Addressing Gaps’.  Prior to the drafting, ADRRN commissioned a survey which the revealed key gaps the region faces in the pursuit to enhance resilience against ever-rising disaster risks, often exacerbated by underlying risk factors that lead to hotspots of vulnerabilities.

Extreme heat has become one of the most severe climate-related threats facing Asia this century. As global temperatures continue to rise, the frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves across the region have increased significantly, posing substantial risks to human health, economic stability, and social welfare. In recent decades, we have witnessed an unprecedented rise in extreme heat events, often reaching record-breaking temperatures of 40 to 50°C. This trend is expected to worsen, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations, including those who cannot afford air conditioning or adjust their work schedules to avoid extreme heat risks.

The heat island phenomenon further exacerbates the situation, as more people migrate to cities in search of better opportunities, pushed away from rural lifestyles made unbearable by intensified climate change impacts. Additionally, pre-monsoon heatwaves have become more frequent and severe across the region.

It is essential to recognize that the effects of extreme heat are particularly harsh on vulnerable populations. The elderly, pregnant women, children, outdoor workers, individuals with disabilities, and those living in informal settlements, such as slums, face the highest risks, often without effective mitigation solutions in place. In densely populated urban areas, where many residents live in buildings with poor ventilation and inadequate cooling systems, the situation is made even worse. Low-income communities often lack access to proper air circulation or cooling facilities, making them disproportionately vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.

The economic impact of extreme heat events is also substantial and growing.  Heat stress reduces crop yields and threatens food security across the region, on top of irregular rainfall which became the ‘new normal’ nowadays.  Outdoor workers face reduced working hours and increased health risks, and traditional lifestyle such as nomadic lifestyle is increasingly on strain.  There are additional health risks imposed to pregnant mothers, and children are forced to cut down on their schooling due to harsh conditions.  Almost everyone is experiencing such loss and damage in their daily lives.

ADRRN recognizes that such disaster risks in our region are increasing, but we are also mindful that the impact of such risks can reduce with appropriate mitigation measures.  Many of such mitigation action happen at individual level, but also at communal level.  ADRRN prioritizes community-led adaptations to ever-increasing disaster risks, as the adaptation strategies that incorporate local knowledge and cultural practices are more effective, better tailored to the community needs, making them more practical and sustainable.  It also allows optimal integration of local and traditional knowledge with modern science around disaster risks and how we can mitigate the impact.  There are lots we can co-learn in the region, as many countries in our region are experiencing similar hazard profiles.

Extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and severe, and we all need to live with this new reality in our lives.  We also know that extreme heat often triggers secondary disasters such as droughts, wildfires, and water scarcity, and strategic investments are required to cope with such expected loss and damage. We also know that many heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable with proper early warning systems and preparedness measures.  Networks like ADRRN can play a crucial role in gathering like-minded practitioners to share knowledge and capacities for concrete actions.

The rising threat of extreme heat in our region requires immediate and coordinated action.  ADRRN, with its extensive network and regional expertise, is aiming to uplift efforts in addressing this emerging disaster risk. ADRRN is launching community led climate adaptation fund for its members starting in 2025, and will continue to invest in local action and to generate lessons that can be amplified across the region.  We hope that this special issue on the ‘APMCDRR 2024: Key Areas for Follow-Up Around Climate Actions in the Asia Pacific in 2025’ can trigger our knowledge sharing and co-creation of solutions towards collective and scaled impact for the people we all serve.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this piece are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of AIDMI.