The Role of Regional Organizations in Disaster Risk Management

"The abrupt power of disasters pays no respect to political boundaries or the social fabric in today's complex and globalized world. The interruption of flights from volcanic ash clouds, damaged oil refineries from hurricanes and collapsed buildings from earthquakes can cause major damage nationally, produce ripple effects on the global economy and disrupt countless lives. The use of regional organizations to mitigate and respond to disasters in transboundary spaces has become a global trend. Yet, we know very little about how and whether these organizations can provide an additional layer of security for the state. Through a comparative study of ten regional organizations, Hollis explores both rational and cultural based explanations for explaining the role regional organizations play as managers of risk; a role fashioned by national-based interests as well as global norms. A valuable contribution to the under-explored yet growing issue of global protection, this book will appeal to scholars of international relations and humanitarian and development studies. "--