Inclusion of Non-State Actors The post-Cold War era witnessed the rise of “participatory regionalism,” which is the inclusion of non-state actors in spaces and activities that were previously deemed the exclusive preserve of states. [...] Despite the prevalent weakness of multilateralism in Asia, what has proved contrarian is the relative willingness of regional players – including faith-based organisations – to seek ways to collaborate and synergise with one another in HADR in the common interest to serve and save communities adversely impacted by disasters. [...] When a disaster strikes, it is often local churches, mosques or temples that are among the first to respond to the crisis on the ground, and one of the longest to remain in the recovery and rehabilitation process. [...] The involvement of faith-based actors in HADR-related operations in Asia is ubiquitous – not as standalone actors, but as part of the wider growth of local faith-based and secular humanitarian agencies. [...] But, as argued by the regional experts, Robin Bush, Philip Fountain and Michael Feener, the expansion of “participatory regionalism” in Asia, has increased the scope of religious actors in leveraging resources for humanitarian assistance and disaster response and in advocating for disaster prevention and mitigation efforts.
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