The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) chief Kamal Kishore has issued a stark warning that the Asia-Pacific region may be underestimating the risks posed by cascading disasters, which could have severe environmental and socio-economic impacts.

Kishore highlighted in an exclusive interview with Climate Tracker Asia that early action and disaster financing are crucial to mitigate these risks. The region's vulnerability is exacerbated by its high exposure to natural hazards such as typhoons, earthquakes, and floods.

The long-term implications of underestimating cascading disasters could lead to significant ecological degradation and socio-economic fallout, including displacement and economic losses, particularly in countries with less robust disaster management systems.