South and Central Asia Regional Consultation Report

Our South and Central Asia  (SCA) regional consultation report examines the perspectives of regional stakeholders to understand the research and innovation (R&;I) ecosystem, decision-making, and priority areas.  The report also provides insights into implementing culturally and contextually appropriate humanitarian research and innovation (HRI) responses.

The SCA region, encompassing 13 countries, faces a range of natural and human-made challenges. Central Asia, with a population of 78 million, deals with natural hazards, conflicts, and economic issues, influenced by crises in Afghanistan and Russia. South Asia, home to 1.92 billion people, is prone to disasters like floods and earthquakes and faces instability in Afghanistan, economic crises in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh. R&;I can play a vital role in managing these crises and improving humanitarian response.

Key findings:

• Challenges and barriers to R&;I: Political constraints, lack of prioritisation by senior personnel, limited data access, and insufficient funding hinder the production and utilisation of R&;I. In Central Asia, security concerns restrict data sharing, while in South Asia, poor partnerships and outdated findings limit the relevance and impact of R&;I.
• Misalignment of R&;I Investments: There are concerns about the misalignment between R&;I investments and the region's actual needs, often driven by donor priorities and lack of local engagement. More transparent and inclusive approaches are needed to align funding with critical humanitarian issues.
• Factors Affecting Responsiveness: Effective responses to emerging crises depend on available funding, political will, good governance, and strong partnerships. Barriers include insufficient funding, bureaucratic delays, limited data access, and geopolitical instability.

Recommendations:

• Increase R&;I Funding: Secure flexible funding mechanisms, promote co-financing among donors, and ensure transparent decision-making to fairly distribute resources.
• Strengthen Collaboration and Coordination: Establish formal platforms for collaboration, encourage partnerships between diverse stakeholders, and foster cross-border cooperation.
• Enhance Local Relevance and Actionability: Tailor R&;I efforts to regional cultural, economic, and environmental contexts, ensuring that outputs are accessible, actionable, and scalable.
• Identify and Prioritise R&;I Areas: Conduct formal priority-setting exercises, engage a broader range of stakeholders, and build capacity for regular, region-specific R&;I evaluations.
• Develop Regional R&;I Capacity: Strengthen institutions, modernize infrastructure, invest in new technologies, and establish training programs to build a skilled R&;I workforce.
• Establish a Regional Early Warning System (EWS): Develop a comprehensive EWS to monitor hazards, assess risks, and disseminate warnings, supported by uniform guidelines and collaboration among national authorities.

By implementing these recommendations, South and Central Asia can enhance its preparedness, response, and recovery efforts, ultimately leading to more effective humanitarian outcomes tailored to the region's unique needs.

This SCA consultation was undertaken by the All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI) and the Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University as part of our landmark Global Prioritisation Exercise (GPE) for HRI. The consultation was led by Mihir R Bhatt and Vishal Pathak.  Data collection and data transcription was undertaken by Mehul Pandya and Kshitij Gupta. Data analysis was conducted by Mehul Pandya, Kshitij Gupta, Vishal Pathak, Chaza Akik and Marian Abouzeid.

[.slimline-cta-box][.slimline-cta_paragraph]Find out more about the GPE[.slimline-cta_paragraph][.slimline-cta-box]