This regional manual aims at building the capacity of coastal zone managers to design and implement coastal development projects that enhance protection of lives and livelihoods, while improving environmental quality and protecting ecosystem services.

In the recent past, most Asian countries have greatly improved their capacities to monitor hazards and to warn, evaluate and provide emergency relief to victims of disasters. As a result, the number of lives lost to disasters such as floods, storms and extreme temperature has decreased significantly. However, the vulnerability within the agriculture sector has continuously increased due to its high level of exposure. It is essential to re-align all disaster management programmes in the agriculture sectors from response to prevention and preparedness.